Greedya

Bugger is also an Australian slang word, meaning 'bummer' (like you feel annoyed). It has nothing to do with sodomites here lol.

Bad sci fi stories tell science like essays, rather than ingeniously embed science in the plot. I can stand 'bad science' if the logic is consistent, but I can't stand sci fi that's not character-oriented. From my reading experience, bad sci fi comes from people who don't know how to tell a story. Well, actually I love scientific fields that are not yet well established, like evolutionary psychology. And I give +50 bonus points for stories that tell us that some current scientific belief us wrong 'cause scientists make mistakes and have blind faith in the scientific method as if science is god - science can't be wrong. Just saying as a follower of the Popper's falsificationism ;p * notes to self - Bayesian update, Bayesian update *

I understand there isn't a clear borderline between sci fi and fantasy.. But Harry Potter is obviously a fantasy story. And a series of children books ('cause the universe is a little childish and the adult characters act foolishly sometimes). Quidditch is rubbish in terms of game design. Peter Pettigrew is sometimes clever and sometimes idiotic. Dumbledore is sometimes overly myopic and sometimes very calculating (it's possible but still unbelievable). Sci fi is thought-provoking and more grounded on assessment of the future and/or what-if analysis. There are implications - be it political, ethical, social - to think about. On the other hand, fantasy is more about creativity and imagination, usually beyond scientific possibilities (strictly speaking, it's near impossible). Science fantasy has both features. Just my 2 cents though.

May I request that you contact dkstories please?

Help would be appreciated. I am writing my granddad's biography (who already passed away), and there is information I need but I can't find on the Internet - or in the library. It is technological diffusion. A question like "when did DNA tests become commercially available in the UK and what were the prices at the time?" I can make a guess based on U.S. data (which is not appropriate), and I can calculate historical prices based on inflation alone (which doesn't account for the market dynamics). They're my best guesses, but of course, rigour is preferred. I'm not asking you to answer that question.. because I have lots of questions lol. I just would like to know how you guys research on historical topics and answer historical questions. Maybe I've been looking in the wrong places. Thanks!

I am a little troubled by your definition of knowledge. First, are you implying that knowledge is a posteriori? Secondly, I think knowledge is partial, so you can't perfectly know how much you know. Thirdly, the 'apt and ability' to acquire knowledge is not solely dependent on the learner. As a proponent of externalism, I believe that the cognitive processes depend partly on the learning process and the environment. Finally, there are factors beyond control that may affect the learning process - and intelligence in your definition. For instance, poor people may be too hungry to learn anything. They'd be slow learners due to hunger, but that doesn't really mean they're not intelligent, right?

Depends on how you define 'learning.' And how you evaluate the worth of a human being. But I generally agree with you that 'formal education' doesn't necessarily make for a 'more socially responsible' person. I am a little saddened by the fact that today's formal education puts too much emphasis on the job market. It trains young minds to respond positively to the market trends, and these herd behaviours and bandwagon effects can be disastrous without sufficient rationalisation. Some ads say, "XXX million members can't be wrong," or "XXX million people have read this book, so you should too," or "A lot of investors are buying this stock, so you should too." The logic is crap. Totally crap. And even people with Ph.D.s from prestigious universities make such mistakes sometimes. I've witnessed that with my own eyes.

You may be dumb, mate. I may be dumb too. Socrates once said the best knowledge is in knowing that one knows nothing at all. The more you know, the more you know how much you don't know. Being dumb is a good thing, and a philosophical mind'd better start with a dumb mind - a mind that knows nothing and makes philosophical enquries without assuming anything. You may have to ask what 'dumb' means, and why (or why not) it is important. Anyway, I guess your issue is not about whether or not you're dumb. It is that you take how other people think about you a little too seriously. You can't please the whole world, so it is okay that someone thinks negatively of you. If your friends think negatively of you because you don't know something, then they're not your friends. Dumb or not - it is just a tag. A perception. A subjective evaluation. Maybe a necessity. In an open economy like this, some people know something more than other people because specialisation makes the market more efficient.

Yesterday I had quite a serious talk with a group of PhD students in medicine. Well, kinda interviewing them actually. It was fun as much as killjoy. Do you guys know that herpes viruses are transmissible by kissing? Herpesviruses are creepy, good at evading immune systems and can establish lifelong, recurring infections. And there is an established, very unlikely albeit possible, chance of receiving HIV and Hepatitis-B from kissing. Yucks. In related news, last night I tried a strawberry-flavoured condom with my bf. It tasted awful, and my bf didn't feel as good as without. But it is medically recommended that only rubber-covered cocks be suckable if you're into NSA. Even more frighteningly, it is rarely discussed about the health risk of slipping condoms, which is, according to some discussants, more worrisome than the risk of broken condoms. If you're really risk-averse, it's great to have a BF / GF in an honest, monogamous relationship. Promiscuity is a trade-off between fun and risk, y' know I'm not saying it's bad. I'm saying it's a choice that needs to be justified. Whether or not your country's healthcare is publicly funded is another dimension here (um, NOTE: no political discussion on this forum). Anyway, have fun and play safe! (well, you can either have more fun and play less safe or have less fun and play more safe teehee!)

Mate do whatever makes you happy and plan well - and realistically. 200k annually isn't very realistic at your age unless you have a brilliant business idea and become an entrepreneur urself. I no longer chase after money 'cause that's a helluva life. I want to lay back a bit, and have enough money for retirement. That's all. Not having my own house is ok. Not living a luxurious life is ok. I am happy this way 'cause I don't like working like crazy. Finally, asking people to vote is a bad idea. You shouldn't be influenced by this kind of stuffs because you don't know 'why' a person votes yes or no. Most likely, nobody has enough information to judge your life for you.

Some more.. . http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a4cmrMJul1g

I stick to the classics http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHmvkRoEowc

Oh boy - I know life can be hard sometimes. I wish you'd find the strength in you soon. Best wishes!

Charles Darwin would agree that my ancestors are monkeys.. Wait. That doesn't sound right. The first life forms on earth are single-cell eukaryotes. Wait. That doesn't sound right. I should keep my mouth shut, or someone would be mad at me for opposing the theory of Adam and Eve.

Can't wait to read your mystery project! Are you gonna do a detective story, fantasy/supernatural or horror? A lot of these are nitpicking. Minor details that do not harm the 'feel' of the story. But you and I seem to be a little obsessed with line-by-line scrutinising, eh? There you go - Chapter 2 Somehow I

I am tempted to write "Harry Potter redux" lol. But this would be a misleading name to readers, maybe? I mean for fan fiction.

* nods with agreement * Thank you.

Thank you very much Cia, for a thoughtful reply. Don't you think that the best way to express your ideas is to take the readers' perspectives? After all, creative writing is very subjective, and what the writer sees alone is, I think, not sufficient. And one of my goals in writing is to entertain the readers. Not to spoil them, but to keep them interested while not harming the charm of the story. I guess most writers want to entertain their readers too. So why not adding some spices if the chef can do it and the dish tastes better to the diner? Well, my writing - writing in my philosophy - is not about feeling comfortable or self-satisfied. I have fun living up to challenges. From time to time I write stories in genres/areas I haven't been before... just to be a well-rounded writer. And of course, if I want to be a well-rounded writer, my stories should be readable by the general audience. Anyway, I understand that some writers have different philosophies. I've met some who write for themselves lol - like a hobby. Maybe I take things a little too seriously

Thanks Nephy. Honestly I don't get to know the audience of gay fiction yet. From what I observe, stories that hit the readers on GA are mostly about romance and coming out, unless you are an established author, of course. I'm considering revising this story for straight audience lol. I know them better.

Max's fall was deliberately downplayed -- almost casual, as that demonstrates the arbitrariness and surprise of sudden death, and allows the reader to react as he/she chooses. Most, like the audience in the book , will be turned on, and that's quite an interesting phenomenon. A surprise usually comes like a thunder, loud and clear. Although it could be confusing, it is stunning, not casual. May readers react as they choose. But I felt something was missing there. The impact of the thunder was too quiet. Just my two cents though. Chapter 2: When I innocently remarked that it was surely an accident, the duty constable stared at me with such suspicion I was glad a hundred people could testify to my whereabouts at the time of the fall. Ahhh.. an excellent example of contrast between empiricism (what you see) and rationalism (what you think). By rationalising alone, Peter does not yet have enough information to conclude that it was an accident. Most came for a gawk at the spot from which the rich architect fell, no doubt hoping for residual bloodstains Funny isn't it? Real life drama is some sort of entertainment sometimes, no matter how sad it is. surely no one called I Scumble would dare to deal in art This is great, man. Hilarious! I kinda follow what you said about drawings. I don't know whether you can tell an artist's personality from his/her work. But it seems it's like music. The more heart the artist puts in their work, the more real the output is. Not as dramatic as the first chapter, giving readers a time to take a break and a breath... though danger is lurking in the shadows.. Mad seems to know something 'bout Max..

This reminds me that I haven't finished LIC. Well, you can be both dark and funny, but if you are, you aren't probably you.

http://www.airlockal...in-decline.html I kinda agree. Sci fi readers are a niche segment. I guess most people want to read to enjoy and relax, and sci fi doesn't make readers relax lol. * time to read humour * On an unrelated note: If you read M/F R-rated sci fi, I highly recommend this 2009 Nebula Award Winner: http://clarkesworldm.../johnson_10_09/ :P

I respectfully disagree. I believe that love and romance is driven from within. So there is no need to search for it. We may need to search whom we share love and romance with. That's all. If you ask me, I look for surprises. Something that 'wow's me. Something like roller coasters. Makes me laugh in one scene. Cry in another. * makes me sound like I'm a weirdo lol * * sleeps some more. Spring time in Canberra is perfect for sleeping all day long. *

Ch. 1 (con't) He sat up so fast, his forehead bashed into mine. "Ouch." The two sentences cannot be joined by merely a comma. Consider "so fast *that* his forehead" or semi-colon or a full stop. I nodded. "Dad, this is Rune. Rune, this is"—Rune shook his head. What?—"Dad." LOL! Selective invisibility. Should I call it discriminative invisibility? Not if I don't will it. Unless I will it. Please avoid double negatives unless you intend to make it witty. I sigh escaped my lips They looked about too sizes too short for him. Grammar/spellings, ma'am. We rounded a corner leading to the barn. It had a warm golden glow in the morning light. Oi. oi. You and me are like yin and yang lol. I don't like narrating the characters, and I have great joy narrating the scenes. You are my opposite, I guess, lol. You know, a romantic scene is a very good introduction to a romantic interaction between your main characters. End notes Oh god. This story's visuals are very strong. So is the stream of consciousness. This is very powerful, and it is very easy to fall in love with your characters. ( * sighs I cannot pull off something like that. Most readers love to hate - or simply hate - my characters. * ) You know I am quite critical about logic. I do have questions about Rune's invisibility theory, but I guess I shouldn't be very serious about fantasy. I was annoyed once in a while when reading Harry Potter lol. Anyway, basically, if your logic is consistent and/or if your inconsistency is convincing, then it should be okay. It's too early to say anything now since I just read chapter 1. I'm quite obsessed with sci fi at the moment, especially fiction that deals with ethics. Normally I don't read teenager love stories because most of them are quite predictable, but this story sets apart in two ways. (a) your narration - words, visuals and emotions - is fantasbulous. (b ) the fantasy element makes your universe unique. I hope there are more twists to come. Your characters are more like typical teens than unusual ones, so the source of the twists would be external - i.e. driven by exceptional circumstances. If there's any room for improvement, I'd say... (a) you seem to overuse "okay," which I find it quite okay but not right. You know what I mean? (giggles at Whitney Houston's song It's not right but okay). (b ) we've talked about trade offs. Details vs pacing. Steam of consciousness vs the outside view. It's good to stick to your style, but don't stick to it just because it is your style. Sometimes you may need courage to do something a little different. It's a challenge that make writers like you and me a little more well-rounded. Just for my curiosity. Have you attempted writing a mystery story? It's a strange genre because surely you don't want to tell the readers everything you know - and often, everything the characters know. Your richness of details makes me hypothesise that writing something that hides details deliberately would be quite a challenge for you. Just a silly hypothesis though. Ahh.. lots of ramblings again. Come to think of it. I can criticise other people, but I can't really do what I tell them. What a hypocrite I am! * face palms myself * :P

If you are writing in Microsoft Word, follow me. Step 1 - Uncheck "Use tinyMCE" Step 2 - Click the button "Paste from Word" (The paste icon with 'W' letter). A new window will pop up. Make sure you disable your popup blocker or add GA to your white list. Step 3 - Copy from Microsoft Word and paste on the popup window. Click OK That's it.