Sluice Issue #14

Sluice  | by Arthur H. Manners

Issue #14

Things to share this week

1. TV/Film: Stargate SG-1. I've been thinking about what kind of media shaped me growing up. There are lot of items on that list, but strangely one of the first that came to mind was Stargate. Other than just because it's fantastic, I think it's because I used to have it playing in the background a lot. So it was on when a lot of important life events happened. I think it's pretty timeless, very watchable twenty years later. Some favourite episodes: The Broca Divide, The Knox, Thor's Hammer, Enigma, The Fifth Race, 1969, Learning Curve, Nemesis, Window of Opportunity, Meridian, Prometheus, Grace, Lost City, Prometheus Unbound, Beachhead, The Pegasus Project, and Unending.2. Books: Rendezvous With Rama by Arthur C. Clarke. Somebody recently asked me during a job interview what I liked to do with my spare time. I told them I liked to read. They asked for my favourite books. Naturally, my mind went so blank that I couldn't think of a single title in existence. Eventually, Rama is what popped out. A giant asteroid appears in the solar system on an impossible trajectory. Is it alien life? The nations of Earth investigate, only to find the asteroid hollowed out with superstructure inside, in the style of the famous O'Neil Cylinder. Rama is a true sci-fi classic, grand in scope and totally unrelenting.3. TV/Film: The Colours of Infinity, presented by Arthur C. Clarke. Continuing with the Clarke theme, this documentary explores some of the most interesting elements of mathematics and theoretical physics. I especially love to see Arthur C. Clarke playing around with fractals, showing the kind of genuine enthusiasm that he injects into his writing. A proper nerdy documentary for nerds and nerd-lovers.4. YouTube: A Day in the Life of an Astrophysicist by Dr. Becky. Dr. Becky is making some great videos, and this one is just a great example of academia is like in a day-to-day sense.5. Music: Three Little Birds by Bob Marley. No explanation required. Listen, and don't worry about a thing. 

Until next time, be good.

Best regards,

Art

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