Two songs about nuclear apocalypse:
177. Tom Lehrer, “So Long, Mom (A Song for World War III)” (1965):
178. Nena, “99 Luftballons” (1983):
English translation:
Tag Archives | Science Fiction
SciFi SongFest, Songs 175-176
Two songs about, um, solar power:
175. Police, “Invisible Sun” (1981):
176. Leslie Fish, “The Sun Is Also a Warrior” (1986):
SciFi SongFest, Songs 173-174
Two songs about cybersex. I think.
173. Kraftwerk, “Computer Love” (1981):
174. Rush, “Virtuality” (1996):
SciFi SongFest, Songs 169-172
Four songs about escaping into space from a wrecked Earth:
169. Neil Young, “After the Gold Rush” (1970):
170. Black Sabbath, “Into the Void” (1971):
171. Montrose, “Space Station #5” (1973):
172. Joss Whedon (words & music) and Sonny Rhodes (vocals), “Ballad of Serenity: Firefly Theme Song” (2002):
The Talents of Ted Chiang
I’ve just finished reading Ted Chiang’s recently-published second short-story collection, Exhalation: Stories. I’m happy to report that it’s just as good as his first one (from nearly two decades ago – Chiang is definitely a guy who focuses on quality over quantity), Stories of Your Life and Others. (See Joyce Carol Oates’ review of the second collection here.)
Chiang is the kind of science-fiction writer who appeals especially to philosophers (while remaining scientifically literate and responsible). He tackles such issues as free will and fatalism; the impact of information technology on our self-conception; the exploration of world histories, forms of consciousness, and even types of universe very different from our own; and the value of empathy. Even his story titles often evince a philosophical sensibility: “Hell Is the Absence of God”; “Anxiety Is the Dizziness of Freedom”; “The Truth of Fact, the Truth of Feeling.” Highly recommended!
His work was also the basis for the critically acclaimed first-alien-contact movie Arrival (the one with Amy Adams, not the one with Charlie Sheen).
I’m currently part of a science-fiction-and-philosophy reading group that recently discussed the first collection and is preparing to discuss the second.
And I can’t quite believe that I’m the first person on the internet to think of this title, but apparently I am. Sorry not sorry.
SciFi SongFest, Songs 165-168
Four more songs about alien visitations:
165. Elton John, “I’ve Seen the Saucers” (1974):
166. Graham Parker, “Waiting for the UFOs” (1979):
167. Jefferson Starship, “Alien” (1981):
168. Divinyls, “Science Fiction” (1983):