It’s been three years since I did a song from Japan’s Pastel Blue as the Sunday Shoegazer selection, so here’s “Low-Key”:
Shoegazer Sunday: Pastel Blue’s “Low-Key”
June 12th, 2016“Siemens has an army of spider robots”
June 9th, 2016Well, isn’t this a lovely, cheerful thing to contemplate?
It’s expensive to build an automated factory, and even more pricey to repurpose one. German manufacturing giant Siemens wants that to change, and they’ve developed an army of robot spiders to make it happen.
Utilizing what Siemens calls “mobile manufacturing” researchers in Princeton, New Jersey have build prototype spider-bots that work together to 3D print structures and parts in real time. Known as SiSpis, or Siemens Spiders, these robots work together to accomplish tasks, and can be reprogramed to learn new jobs.
The ability to be reprogramed gives the bots an advantage over traditional manufacturing robots. Opening an industrial manufacturing factory currently means installing expensive robots that can only do one or two tasks well. In theory, the SiSpis’ programing can be altered to address new tasks, allowing for greater flexibility for manufactures.
As a devotee of spider-menace movies, I think I know exactly how this will turn out. Why, the SyFy Channel movie practically writes itself. (As does the inevitable sequel, Spiderbots vs. Lavalanchula…)
Shoegazer Sunday: Catherine Wheel’s “Crank”
June 5th, 2016I’ve tried sampling classic shoegaze band Catherine Wheel before, but until “Crank” nothing stuck.
Note: I believe this video exceeds the official limit of how many people may fit in this particular elevator safely…
R. A. Lafferty Convention Happening Today
June 4th, 2016I’ve been so busy this snuck up on me, but Laffcon, the first R. A. Lafferty convention, is happening today at the Mercer County Library in Lawrenceville, NJ, starting at 10 AM EDT.
Certainly worth attending if you’re a Lafferty fan and in the area, and maybe something to think about planning to attend if they do it again net year.
Muhammed Ali, RIP
June 3rd, 2016Former Heavyweight Boxing Champion Muhammad Ali has died at age 74.
As the young Cassius Clay, Ali combined the power of a heavyweight with the speed of a middleweight. He was so good for so long that he earned his self-anointed title as The Greatest of All Time.
Growing up I actually saw Ali box on TV, back when they still showed boxing on broadcast TV. Alas, Ali was far past his prime when I saw him lose to Leon Spinks.
The late fights took a serious toll on Ali, eventually robbing him of his previously celebrated eloquence, and he became a sad example of a great fighter who stayed in the ring too long.
Rest in Peace.
Library Addition: Signed Edition of Philip Jose Farmer’s The Other in the Mirror
May 31st, 2016I didn’t pick this up in the signed edition when it first came out, but I found it online cheap enough to be worth picking up.
Farmer, Philip Jose. The Other in the Mirror. Subterranean Press, 2009. First edition hardback, with a signed (but unnumbered) limitation page, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket and Fine slipcase. Omnibus edition of three novels (Fire in the Night, Jesus on Mars, and Night of Light), the first two of which were only published as paperback originals. Original price for the signed/numbered edition was $125. This supplements my trade edition, and all editions are now out of print from the publisher. Bought off eBay for $24.95 plus shipping.
Shoegazer Sunday: Star Horse’s “Stranger”
May 29th, 2016For your Sunday dose of Shoegaze, here’s “Stranger” from Stockholm-based Star Horse. Evidently today’s post is brought to you by the letter “S”…
Two Highlights of the Forthcoming Bonhams Book Auction
May 26th, 2016Bonhams has a book auction coming up on June 8. There are a lot of interesting things outside of fiction (like Mohammed Ali’s passport), but very few items of interest to science fiction collectors.
However, there are two quite notable exceptions:
Shoegazer Sunday: Catch The Breeze’s “The Shallow Bed”
May 22nd, 2016A shoegaze band named after the first Slowdive song I ever heard? How can I resist?
Brian Jonestown Massacre’s “She’s Gone”
May 15th, 2016I consider Brain Jonestown Massacre more of a psych than Shoegaze band, but this is the final song they played at their set with Slowdive in Austin, and that’s good enough for me.