Nonfiction
Five Animals That Will Take Over the Earth After We Eradicate Ourselves
Let’s face it. We’re doomed. Our species’ greatest scientists have admitted as much—if we don’t find a way off this rock, the human race is facing extinction.
Advertisement
Nonfiction
Author Spotlight
Author Spotlight: Orson Scott Card
This is science fiction. As far as we know, it is not only not true, but probably impossible. Most SF ideas fall into this category. It’s simply a cool idea, and who knows?
Nonfiction
Interview: The Redemption of Paolo Bacigalupi
With fantasy, you get the luxury of control. Every aspect of the world can be manipulated for your purpose, and the reader is willing to suspend disbelief to a much larger degree than with science fiction.
Author Spotlight
Author Spotlight: Tanith Lee
Tempted women. An ultimate (forbidden?) knowledge. The scent and taste of an apple. The fear that it may have all happened before, and been Science Fiction back then too.
Nonfiction
Neurotransmitters: God’s Way of Getting You High
Considering that the human brain comes equipped with the desire as well as all the necessary neurological equipment to get us high, it’s not surprising that ever since humanity began, we’ve been searching out creative ways of doing so.
Author Spotlight
Author Spotlight: Susan Palwick
Rural isolation lends itself to clandestine activities; so does Nevada’s laissez-faire brand of rugged individualism. Were I writing the story now, I’d have to explain why Welly’s selling pot instead of meth.
Nonfiction
The Future’s So Bright I Gotta Wear Shades: Guessing the Aesthetics of Tomorrow’s Social Media
Social networking has become one of the most widespread phenomena of the last decade. It’s already revolutionized advertising, customer service, and the news. It’s not going anywhere.
Author Spotlight
Author Spotlight: Corey Mariani
The reason I am not depressed when I look around and see only selfish behavior. I don’t want to hurt you or anyone else because it would hurt me to do so. I think it’s better than altruism.
Artist Showcase
Artist Spotlight: Marcin Jakubowski
Digital painting gives me possibilities and freedom that I wouldn’t have in traditional media. It’s easy to experiment and trying different things without destroying whole work which is extremely important for self-taught individual.
Editorial
Editorial, January 2011
Welcome to issue eight of Lightspeed! On tap this month… Fiction: “Postings from an Amorous Tomorrow,” by Corey Mariani, “Cucumber Gravy” by Susan Palwick, “Black Fire” by Tanith Lee, “The Elephants of Poznan” by Orson Scott Card. Nonfiction: “The Future’s So Bright I Gotta Wear Shades,” by Genevieve Valentine, “Neurotransmitters: God’s Way of Getting You High” by Christopher Sedia, “Feature Interview: The Redemption of Paolo Bacigalupi” by Christie Yant, and “Five Animals That Will Take Over the World After We Eradicate Ourselves” by Jeremiah Tolbert.
