Author Archives: sbrandt

.66 < a/m < .87

The fastest a black hole can spin is a/m = 1 (a/m is a dimensionless spin speed, obtained by setting the gravitational constant G, and the speed of light c, to 1). This may not mean anything to you, but … Continue reading

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Raising the Dead…

One day while touring an Egyptology exhibit at a museum, I chanced upon an ancient inscription to raise the dead. I started to read it, and my wife got upset with me. “Haven’t you seen enough movies to know better?” … Continue reading

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The Most Secure Network Ever Built

FirstNet. A dedicated network for firemen, medical professionals, and law enforcement. They say it will be the most secure network ever built. Regardless of how secure they make it, I expect there will be criminals hacked into it from the … Continue reading

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Maybe I Should like Apple

I’ve never been particularly fond of Apple. It has always looked more like a scary cult than a company to me. However, this recent article about its view on ROI makes me want to reconsider: “When we work on making … Continue reading

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Sword and Illusion is on Sale

“Sword and Illusion” is on sale at Smashwords. Use the code REW50, to get it for half price.

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To the Stars!

0.08% lightspeed is pretty fast. It will get you to the nearest star in 53 years. Of course, I’m not factoring in the time for acceleration and deceleration. The .08 lightspeed drive. Ghost Ship Another Interstellar Drive.

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Transformers

These transformers are a little slower than the ones in the movies: http://xkcd.com/1336/

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My Story Can Beat Up Your Story

Lou Anders (editor of Pyr books) recommended the book “My Story Can Beat Up Your Story” at a writer’s workshop I attended. It took me a while to get to it, because I’ve read a number of books/articles on story … Continue reading

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Magic made real by Technology

We’re rapidly entering an age where science fiction becomes fact on a daily basis. Who’d have thought that by 2013 we’d all have tricorders, but call them iPhones? But sometimes, fantasy is also becoming real. This particular example is fun … Continue reading

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A Modest Healthcare Reform

If you read my posts at all you know that I don’t wear my political views on my sleeve, nor post about how everyone on the other side is an idiot. In fact, I think such posts are counter-productive. I … Continue reading

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