Category Archives: Technology and Culture

Beowulf and the Fate of Music

Posted on 24 October 2018 by Suhail Rafidi

Before medieval European civilization developed anything as novel as a “book,” “scroll,” or “codex,” there was the mind of the storyteller. The storyteller was given a special seat by the fire, fed for knowledge, and oft given full attention. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Authors and Writing, Book Reviews, Books, Music and Musicians, Poetry, Technology and Culture | Tagged beowulf, book, homer, marshall mcluhan, odyssey, oral history | Leave a comment

The Triumph Of Mechanics by Karl Hans Stobl (1907)

Posted on 12 July 2018 by Suhail Rafidi

“The Triumph Of Mechanics” (1907) – Karl Hans Stobl (3751 words) <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> The town’s toy industry had grown considerably in the last few years. All civilized countries placed orders upon orders, eager to own mechanical toys — multicolored, marvelously precise: the Punchinello … Continue reading →

Posted in Science Fiction, Short Stories, summer reading, Technology and Culture, uncanny valley | Tagged david gill, nowell valeri, Ryan Hurtgen, science fiction, science fiction writers, shelldive, suhail rafidi, summer reading, uncanny valley | Leave a comment

Uncanny Valley Digest: Sultana’s Dream By Rokeya Sakhawat Hossain

Posted on 10 July 2018 by Suhail Rafidi

Last night’s Sultana’s Dream discussion clinked like porcelain at a tea party. The story had the same essay quality and social critique agenda of The Star, but in a firmly feminist perspective. Everyone present appreciated the story for it’s intentions … Continue reading →