Analog SFF, June 2008
Page 25
The quality of what I am reading is great! I just have one suggestion for how to improve your magazine. I often encounter authors I had not heard of before (like Robert Chase, whose story “Domo Arigato...” really impressed me!), and I don't know if they are new, short fiction writers solely, or whether they have novels (still my preferred reading). I have to go Google them to find any information, which is a nuisance. Asimov's is better than Analog in providing some background author information. I'd like to see Analog do that.
By the way, I also really like the editorials. I often want to pull them out to send to my local elected officials or other appropriate people!
Angie Boyter
* * * *
Dr. Schmidt,
One of the most debated subjects today is climate change. You've addressed a number of aspects in your editorials. I'm not arguing with anything specifically, but I have my own two cents, if you will indulge me.
Skipping my own opinion in the debate, I think the whole debate is actually distracting us from some very basic things.
Would anyone argue that we shouldn't be working hard to reduce pollution? All pollution, from all sources. Would anyone argue against greatly reducing the amount of stuff that goes to landfills? Would anyone argue against all efforts to eliminate toxins released in the environment, and cleaning up past toxins? Would anyone argue against improving the environment, fixing what's been damaged and trying to avoid future damage?
I could go on and on. The point is, the climate change debate seems to get stuck on who's to blame and the actual, real cause. Seems to me, instead, the question should be what we can do to improve things.
Let's not worry about who's to blame or worry about getting the exact, precise cause. Let's just work generally on stopping the bad stuff and doing the good stuff.
This bypasses such questions as “What is causing climate change?", “Is it human caused?", or even “Is there climate change?” What is plain to anyone with any intelligence at all is that humans have a huge impact on this planet. If we don't reduce the negative aspects as much as we can, the planet will inevitably become very unpleasant
I dunno, too simple?
Kimball Hawkins
Clearwater, Florida
* * * *
A nice sentiment, but unfortunately, yes, it is too simple. The problem is that it isn't always easy to determine what is the “good stuff” and “bad stuff."
* * * *
Dear Mr. Schmidt,
I read with interest your recent Analog editorial (January/February 2008), regarding synopses and recaps in television programs. I agree with your conclusion that they may encourage short attention spans and foster growth of a populace that cannot make its own decisions. However, I would pose another possible reason recaps and synopses have become prevalent (beside the obvious lack of program content).
I am a “channel surfer.” I switch from one program to another (and often to a third when possible) and am usually able to maintain the thread of each program's plot thanks to the recaps. My viewing preferences lean toward science, engineering, science fiction, and nature programming, although I also enjoy an “evening soap” or situation comedy.
Why do I “channel surf"? The answer is simple. When I sit down in front of the television, I want content, not commercials. I do not like commercials. Most are condescending, insulting to a person's intelligence and common sense, and are often morally objectionable. I find that most commercials drive me away from advertisers rather than toward them.
(I point out a particular cellular telephone company's current ad where a father, while handing new cell phones to family members, in one-on-one situations, tells each that they are his “number one.” Then, while walking away alone, takes out another new phone and says to himself, “saving the best for numero uno.” This sort of attitude is prevalent in many television commercials and I find it rather repulsive and morally bankrupt. The fact that some executive at the cellular phone company approved this advertisement, and the networks didn't have the backbone to say no, is a sad commentary on our culture.)
It is because of this that I tend to switch channels when a commercial break occurs. If the timing is right, the program on another channel is in progress and I can quickly determine where the plot line has gone since I last viewed the program. The fact that so little new content occurs between commercials makes it easy to follow two and sometimes three shows at once. (It does, however, drive my wife a bit crazy.) I usually have a “backup” channel ready if the first channel I switch to is also in commercial break. By changing the order of switching, I am often able to follow three different programs. (This is when my wife gets up, makes some tea, and goes off to a quiet place to read a book.)
You may ask why I don't simply get TIVO or DVR from my cable company so I can record preferred programs and watch them at my leisure. I could fast-forward through the commercials and recaps and cut that 30-minute show down to the approximate 20 minutes of actual content. An hour program might actually be viewed in about 40 minutes. The answer isthat I do not have that much leisure time to watch previously recorded programs. I have, on occasion, recorded a show I was unable to watch when initially broadcast. Unfortunately, I rarely get the time to watch the recording before the next time the program is aired or I learn the outcome of a recorded sporting event and loose the desire to watch a show when I already know how it ends. For me, it's either now or never. And I suspect I'm not alone.
For a while, some cable companies provided the ability to fast-forward through recorded commercials (TIVO/DVR) or even not record them at all. Recent or pending new features will no longer allow you to fast-forward through a recorded commercial[1]. This is akin to the “FBI WARNING” at the beginning of a DVD when the fast-forward function of your player is disabled.
[FOOTNOTE 1: “Watch it your way,” Andrew D. Smith, The Dallas Morning News, page 1D & 5D, 12/26/07]
Do you remember the advent of “pay TV"? Was it not supposed to be commercial-free television; was that not the hook that made it so enticing? The concept was you could watch over-the-air commercial broadcasts or you could pay a monthly fee to watch commercial-free programming. We all know that didn't last long. Cable subscriptions couldn't fund many popular shows which, in turn, gave rise to independent programming. When some of the independent shows gained popularity, the cable television providers went to the advertisers and showed them the “captive audience” numbers. The rest is history. (I am old enough to remember that FM radio started out the same way.)
Television and the internet are about to become more tightly entwined (using high-speed internet connections to download movies and programs to TIVO/DVR to reduce or eliminate the need to upgrade existing cable delivery infrastructure); networks are seeking new and inventive ways to hold on to ratings. Advertisers and cable television providers are finding new ways to influence our spending—sponsor products embedded in programs, interactive commercials, on-demand premium channel additions, etc.
Why do so many network programs have recaps and synopses? Is it possible that the networks realize channel surfing is a common practice? Is it possible they want to make sure we keep coming back to watch their shows? They must know we don't always get the timing right when switching channels, that we still see a fair number of commercials. The networks need to keep their numbers up so they can charge huge amounts of money for commercial slots in their programming. Perhaps it isn't only because viewers may have short attention spans or are unwilling or unable to follow lengthy or complex arguments. Maybe it's the networks trying to retain their audience. Could it be that we, the viewers, are actually the cause? I'll know I'm wrong if all the networks start synchronizing their commercial breaks.
Regards,
R. Cimino
* * * *
I did mention channel-surfing, but you have a different perspective on it. Personally, I hardly ever surf; I only watch television when there's something I actually want to see. That happens so seldom tha
t when it does, I want to get my “money's worth."
[Back to Table of Contents]
* * *
Reader's Department: UPCOMING EVENTS
by Anthony Lewis
3-6 July 2008
WESTERCON 61 (West coast science fantasy conference) at JW Marriott Resort, Las Vegas, NV. Writer Guest of Honor: Kage Baker; Artist Guest of Honor: Lubov; Fan Guest of Honor: Milt Stevens. Membership: $60 until 28 April 2008. Info: www.westercon61.org/, Westercon 61, 6 Chartiers Court, Henderson, NV 89052.
* * * *
10-13 July 2008
PORTUS 2008 (A Harry Potter Symposium) at Hilton Anatole, Dallas, TX. Membership: 1 February to 31 May 2008 $220.00; 1 June to 30 June 2008 $240.00; at the door $260.00. Info: www.portus2008.org/.
* * * *
11-13 July 2008
OSFest ‘08 (Nebraska SF conference) at Comfort Inn & Suites, Omaha, NE. Writer Guest of Honor: Aaron Allston; Artist Guest of Honor: Mike Cole; TM: Rusty Hevelin. Membership: $40 until June 30, $50 at the door. Info: www.osfes.org/osfest.htm; webmaster@osfes. org; OSFest ‘08, 7934 Grover Street, Omaha, NE 68124.
* * * *
25-28 July 2008
CONFLUENCE 2008 (Pittsburgh area SF conference) at Doubletree Hotel, Pittsburgh Airport, PA. Guest of Honor: Joe Haldeman; Critic Guest: Kathryn Cramer; Featured Filker: Lord Landless. Membership: $35 until TBA July 2008, $45 at the door. Info: parsec-sff.org/confluence/, Confluence, P.O. Box 3681, Pittsburgh, PA 15230-3681; (412) 344-0456
* * * *
1-3 August 2008
DIVERSICON 16 (Multimedia conference) at Holiday Inn Metrodome, Minneapolis, MN. Guest of Honor: Anne Frasier; Special Guest: Nnedi Okorafur-Mbachu, Ph.D. Membership: $25 until 15 March 2008, $30 until 14 July 2008, $40 at the door. Info: www.diversicon.org/, diversicon@gmail.com, PO Box 8036, Lake Street Station, Minneapolis, MN 55408-0036
* * * *
6-10 August 2008
DENVENTION III (66th World Science Fiction Convention) at Colorado Convention Center, Denver, CO. Hotels include Adam's Mark (party hotel), Hyatt Regency. Guest of Honor: Lois McMaster Bujold; Artist Guest of Honor: Rick Sternbach; Fan Guest of Honor: Tom Whitmore; TM: Wil McCarthy. Membership: (until further notice; see website): USD 175; supporting membership USD 40; child (until 12 as of 6 August 2008) USD45. This is the SF universe's annual get-together. Professionals and readers from all over the world will be in attendance. Talks, panels, films, fancy dress competition—the works. Nominate and vote for the Hugos. Info: www.denvention3.org; president@denvention.org. Denvention 3, Post Office Box 1349, Denver, CO 80201 USA.
* * *
Visit www.analogsf.com for information on additional titles by this and other authors.