The protagonist of Kim Stanley Robinson's wonderful novel Antarctica is called X. It's a nickname actually, but I'm pretty sure his real name's never mentioned. Chapter one puts the book's cards on the table by saying, quite simply: "Call him X." Names have great power in fiction, and to reduce one's title character to a … Continue reading “Antarctica” by Kim Stanley Robinson
Tag: Kim Stanley Robinson
Space Elevators in Science Fiction
According to a recent article in New Scientist, an inflatable tower might one day be built to transport us a long way towards orbit. I can't help thinking you'd need one hell of a puncture repair kit to hand, but it's a fascinating addition to the whole space elevator debate. There's an annual competition, I … Continue reading Space Elevators in Science Fiction
Graham Edwards 