Blog Archives: October-December, 2004

Archives: [Oct-Dec 2004] [Jan-June 2005] [July-Dec 2005] [Jan-June 2006] [July 2006] [Aug-Dec 2006] [2007] [2008] [Current] [Search Blog Archives]

DEADLINES Posted By: Alex Tolley, Los Gatos, CA - 12/30/2004 08:08:09 PM Greg, I see that there is a movie "White Noise" appearing in January 2005 that appears to be (based on limited trailers and websire promos) similar to Deadlines. If the movie is a success, I wouldn't be surprised if Hollywood decides to option your book. Great to hear that Darwin's Radio will be serialized for SciFi channel. I'm hoping they do as good a job as Dune, which was a superb treatment. Regards,

	Response: Deadlines Posted By: Greg Bear - 12/31/2004 03:00:56 PM I'm getting early word we have a fine screenwriter for DARWIN'S CHILDREN. More news to come... WHITE NOISE sounds like fun. I look forward to seeing it.

SORRY I MISSED YOU Posted By: Vicki Bickford, Vancouver, WA - 12/29/2004 03:09:31 PM I just finished reading Darwin's Radio and Darwin's Children - I haven't felt so involved in a book in years. Couldn't put it down. The kidlets suffered leftovers, and it'll take a while for them to forgive me. Okay, rambling again, am I? Came to your website because you mentioned it in the back of the 2nd book, and read here about Elizabeth Chater. I was amazed and a little sad to read you two had taught the science fiction class at San Diego State just 3 years before I got there. I guess I missed you, or was too involved with music at that time. I don't know. But I've been reading science fiction since 8 yrs of age. I would have loved being a class full of folks with that interest in common. It was so rare, growing up. Read on, to find that she was in Irvine in 1991. Another near miss. I moved there in 1997 and just left there for Vancouver in October. Like I mentioned, having contact with others who lived with so much science fiction was rare, and to see that two such lovely opportunities, to meet you and Ms. Chater, attending the classes, were mised is really disappointing. I love your work. I found Blood Music through the Science Fiction Book Club a very long time ago, and now that my boys are old enough, I'm taking the time out of my day to catch up on what you've been up to since then. Mostly, the past 3 days. Lord, was that fun! So thanks very much for working so hard, being so clever, stretching my mind with your stories. Regards, Vicki

	Response: Sorry I missed you Posted By: Greg Bear - 12/29/2004 03:32:05 PM Thanks, Vicki! Elizabeth actually lived in an upscale trailer community in Irvine until a few years ago, when she moved to a board and care home not far from there. She was a fine teacher and friend and she will be missed.

THE MILLENNIUM PROJECT Posted By: Scott Hendrix, Oshkosh, WI - 12/29/2004 04:45:09 AM Has anyone shown any interest in this idea ?

	Response: The Millennium Project Posted By: Greg Bear - 12/29/2004 12:26:00 PM Looks interesting, but I was not invited to participage. Info about this project can be found at http://www.unmillenniumproject.org/html/about.shtm

HE'S OK Posted By: Mike Glosson, San Diego - 12/27/2004 03:11:02 PM Alright. I am impatient. Found this on the Clarke Foundation Page: http://www.clarkefoundation.org/ His family and household OK, but Sri Lanka is a major disaster.

	Response: He's OK Posted By: Greg Bear - 12/27/2004 03:36:35 PM

STATUS OF ARTHUR C. CLARKE Posted By: Mike Glosson, San Diego, California - 12/27/2004 03:09:00 PM Greg: Has there been any word out of Colombo regarding Sir Arthur? I have been trying to find out news about him via some commercial space flight contacts, but everyone is on Holiday Season vacation. I originally did not worry about him too much when the news of the Sumatra Disaster came to my attention yesterday afternoon, but as I have been monitoring the media today an found that Colmobo was not spared I have seriously worried...knowing that he had at one time lived close to the water for ease of skin and scuba access. ---MG

Response: Status of Arthur C. Clarke Posted By: Greg Bear - 12/27/2004 03:35:54 PM Sir Arthur appears to be fine. Here's a message he sent to friends soon after the tsunami. (Thanks to Bill Warren and to Tim Lucas and their connections for this message.) Here is the statement from Arthur C. Clarke that my friends received, reproduced with permission: Thank you for your concern about my safety in the wake of Sunday?s devastating tidal wave. I am enormously relieved that my family and household have escaped the ravages of the sea that suddenly invaded most parts of coastal Sri Lanka, leaving a trail of destruction. But many others were not so fortunate. For hundreds of thousands of Sri Lankans and an unknown number of foreign tourists, the day after Christmas turned out to be a living nightmare reminiscent of THE DAY AFTER TOMORROW. Among those affected are my staff based at our diving station in Hikkaduwa and holiday bungalow in Kahawa ? both beachfront properties located in areas worst hit. We still don?t know the full extent of damage as both roads and phones have been damaged. Early reports indicate that we have lost most of our diving equipment and boats. Not all our staff members are accounted for ? yet. This is indeed a disaster of unprecedented magnitude for Sri Lanka which lacks the resources and capacity to cope with the aftermath. We are all trying to contribute to the relief efforts. We shall keep you informed as we learn more about what happened. Curiously enough, in my first book on Sri Lanka, I had written about another tidal wave reaching the Galle harbour (see Chapter 8 in THE REEFS OF TAPROBANE, 1957). That happened in August 1883, following the eruption of Krakatoa in roughly the same part of the Indian Ocean. Arthur Clarke 27 December 2004

MISSSING LINK Posted By: Tony Barnes, Jacksonville, Florida - 12/27/2004 03:04:27 PM I have read Eon, Eternity and Legacy. Has, or will a book be written that fills in the events fully, in real time so to speak, between the end of Legacy and the begginning of Eon? Tahnk You Tony B

	Response: misssing link Posted By: Greg Bear - 12/27/2004 03:33:25 PM Never say never... There's even room for a novel exploring the time just before the opening of the Way. But I have no plans to write it for now.

MESSAGE FROM EON Posted By: Pasquale Di Rago, Melbourne - Australia - 12/24/2004 02:49:04 AM Why is a Raven Like a Writing Desk ? Because thoughts fly away. Why did you put this in "Eon" and neglect to answer your own question. I'd be interested in knowing, as ever since I read the book "Eon" a decade or so ago, it has been bothering me. One observation I will make is that if you solve one mystery, it only opens you to others. Some which are best left alone. Yes you could say I have a story to tell, But one not worth publishing. Best wishes for the festive season. Pasquale Di Rago

	Response: Message from Eon Posted By: Greg Bear - 12/24/2004 01:12:45 PM Why is a raven like a writing desk? Because Poe wrote on both of them... There may be better answers, but I have yet to hear one!

YOUR WORKS Posted By: Gary Clark, Lynnwood, WA - 12/23/2004 01:24:29 PM I have noted that you are now publishing some of your work in a limited, signed, numbered, edition. I will search your site on how to be notified in advance of these as they come out. You have seen me at the University book store (several times) and at the Nubula Awards. I have managed to collect most of your works and I have recently come into posession of a publicity poster board for Deadlines. I am going to mount it and put it up on my walls. Question: Should I contact you about the possibility of obtaining more of these poster boards or do I contact the publisher / publicist? Any help would be appreciated - Thanks, the pest control guy in Lynnwood

Response: Your works Posted By: Greg Bear - 12/23/2004 01:33:00 PM Hello, Gary! I rarely see or come into possession of these poster boards--in fact, did not know they had been done for DEAD LINES. Best to contact your bookseller or the publisher. Easton Press has done a number of my novels in their signed first editions series over the years. Typical press run: nine hundred to twelve hundred copies. I sign the plates and they're bound into these nice leather editions. Rarely, over the years, other publishers have done signed and limited editions: ANVIL OF STARS from Legend/Random Century UK (200 copies), HEADS ditto, as well as SISTERS, BEAR'S FANTASIES, and SLEEPSIDE STORY, which you can probably find on ABEBOOKS.COM

ON TOPIC: INFORMATION MECHANICS Posted By: Mike Glosson, Sunny San Diego, California - 12/23/2004 10:54:46 AM Fresh off the pages at Nature: http://www.nature.com/news/2004/041220/full/041220-12.html Quantum Darwinism. Yowsa!

	Response: On Topic: Information Mechanics Posted By: patrick - 12/23/2004 07:41:48 PM i dont buy it, though. i mean, i dont buy quantum uncertainty. this group does, so theyve constructed an argument to reinforce it.

INFORMATION MECHANICS? Posted By: Christopher Pearson, Cambridge, MA - 12/22/2004 04:00:54 PM Hi again Greg- First, sorry to hear that you have lost some people dear to you, i truly empathize... Second, happy holidays and all that... And now to the meat and potatoes- I'd always been fascinated by the theory of Prof. Gogarty's character in "Blood Music", observation and it's effects on the universe/reality, what have you... I'm now on an obsessive quest to find some decent books, whether they be physics and/or philosophy, on the concept of what the nature of "reality" is, in terms of being influenced by "observation". Someone suggested "the Holographic Universe" by Talbot, I googled it, and it sounded a little new-agey for me, but I'd be willing to try it. Also found out a bit about David Bohm and his "Undivided Universe" concept... (plus I also googled "Information Mechanics" and found out about Frederick Kantor?)- This is wild stuff! I'm just really fascinated about this right now, (i get this way when it's cold, dark and snowy out), and want to seriously explore/research and read more serious stuff about these concepts. Any suggestions you could give me would be greatly appreciated. You've pointed me in some great directions in the past. Apart from being a great writer, you know your stuff, and you're a great guy, too. Look forward to what you've got for 2005! Cheers, and all the best, thanks, Chris.

Response: Information Mechanics? Posted By: Greg Bear - 12/22/2004 04:55:24 PM Hello, Chris! I've sent people off to Frederic Kantor in the past, but his work is long out of print. Other pioneers in the area of information-based physics include David Deutsch and Ed Fredkin; Deutsch has books out there well worth reading. Wolfram's A NEW KIND OF SCIENCE discusses aspects of computationally based physics in considerable detail. I must say I haven't been keeping up on the weird physics scene as much as I used to--perhaps readers know of other, more up-to-date sources?

Response: Information Mechanics? Posted By: patrick - 12/23/2004 07:10:52 PM as for physics-related stuff, just google. the holographic universe is a very interesting book. however, it is of the 'psychic' (vs new age) nature - something i think is quite relevant, but steeped in popcul subjective relativism, and not really approached by standard physics - so if youre a straight science guy, pass on it. if you do pick it up and want more, at least in this area, look up fred alan wolf.

DARWINS CHILDREN VS DYSLEXIA Posted By: mark wallman, london - 12/22/2004 08:07:07 AM Hi, I was recomended you by a friend who works in genetics in Cambridge (England). I loved your books which also made me think about dyslexia. In the same way your characters are "altered" versions of humans is dyslexia an old mutation passed down through generations?. If the theory was expanded on what kind of stories could you tell? I get rather annoyed when people tell em I just have work blindness. Although I am 29 and cannot spell very well, know the dates of the year, alpherbet and short term memmory I have a visual perception way abouve average. I notice I am much more perceptive (body language, people's moves etc) than any women I know. I seem to be able to see in a "higher frame rate" than most people. It is little wonder that instead of having an academic carier I work in 3D animation for Films. I can re-play scenes in my head moving to different angles or looking in shop windows. I seem to be able to think laterally. In the same way more males are coulour blind giving them better night vision was dyslexia a mutational advantage when we were hunter gatheres in the open planes? If you could increase the effects of dyslexia and not force them to think the standard way what kinds of things could be achevied?? Good luck with the SiFi mini series! Mark

Response: darwins children vs dyslexia Posted By: Greg Bear - 12/22/2004 12:00:30 PM Thanks, Mark! There are all kinds of intelligences working in our heads, and all kinds of people working together in the greater whole--your ability to do 3D manipulation is a real marvel to other people! Whether dyslexia is a mutation or simply a sign that you have co-opted those brain areas for other purposes is unknown to me. Either way, you're talented and useful--and that's what it's all about. (Now if someone could explain to me how our visual centers participate in creating the terrific "CGI" characters and landscapes of our dreams...)

Response: darwins children vs dyslexia Posted By: Vicki Bickford, Vancouver, WA - 12/29/2004 03:16:58 PM Mark, interesting, and a nicely made point. I have an autistic son, recently diagnosed, and the more I learn about the condition, the more I recognize the signs in myself and in my ex-husband. In the boy they are much more pronounced. It's now considered to be inherited, only now aggravated to a greater and more obvious nature, possibly by toxins in the environment. Meanwhile, it's becoming more and more clear that the condition delivers remarkable gifts, just as your dyslexia has. Just wish folks could learn tolerance of the difficult social behaviors my boy has. Let him be as productive as you are.

Response: darwins children vs dyslexia Posted By: Greg Bear - 12/29/2004 03:50:29 PM I hosted a discussion at the Philadelphia Worldcon in 2001 about the contributions to sf and sf fandom of those with autism, HFA, and Aspergers--very interesting and productive meeting, with a number of parents and their HFA kids in the audience. Sometimes, however, I've touched a nerve when discussing these issues... It's difficult to know who's sensitive and why. Myself, I'm a strange mix of many mental conditions and traits, and find many of them useful, and all of them contribute to my understanding of human nature. There's an excellent book by Deirdre V. Lovecky: Different Minds: Gifted Children With AD/HD, Asperger Syndrome, and other Learning Deficits. Dr. Lovecky kindly provided advice and assistance on Darwin's Children, and her work is inspirational.

HEROES AND VILLAINS Posted By: John Holtom, England - 12/21/2004 09:38:02 AM Dear Greg Bear As a recent discoverer of your books, I would like to tell you of the pleasure I have had in reading them. So far I have read The Infinity Concerto (old version), The Serpent Mage (old version), Blood Music (new version), Dead Lines and I am part way through Eon. Blood Music worried me. Both the two central characters are heroes and villains, characters without intention to destroy who do destroy the known world. Although they create the next world also. I cannot conclude in my mind whether this is good or not. I did not interpret a moral message concerning the conduct of fired research genius. I wonder whether you had a touch of glee in imagining such a clever creation of armageddon (is that spelt right?). In the Infinity Concerto and the Serpent Mage again there is the one key character who binds the whole framework though he starts without knowledge of his power or capability. Wonderful dense detailed writing. In Xanadu did Kubla Khan a stately pleasure dome decree......... The Ancient Mariner is actually one of my all time best poems - I wonder whether you could weave a story around this poem? Dead Lines I was not wholly convinced by. The core narrative is intriguing but it does not have the depth, detail, discursiveness of the others I had read. In Eon you have Patricia as the unknowing genuis. Again I love the density of the writing (although the politics seems passe now?). All of the stories have ghosts - or rather, different forms of life - that slide through the narrative like hinges holding parts of the stories together. Many interesting ideas. The purpose of this note is not to make universal points, politcal attacks or endorsements - just good to read and be stimulated. Respectful good wishes at Christmas John Holtom A recent convert from classic literature to science fiction and fantasy

	Response: Heroes and Villains Posted By: Greg Bear - 12/21/2004 01:01:16 PM Thanks, John! Your points are cogent and interesting. Lots of ghosts throughout--and Boojums, as well! The role of glee in upsetting people's views of their world cannot be underestimated. Sort of like knocking over outhouses, though on a larger (albeit fictional) scale.

SECOND GENERATION Posted By: Jennifer Waer, Woodland Hills, CA - 12/21/2004 01:03:43 AM Hi, Just a short note to tell you that I recently discovered your books while browsing at a bookstore (though it turns out that yours was the first Star Trek tie-in novel I ever read, at the age of 7 (I went straight from Little House books when I was five to tie-in novels); _Corona_ caught my eye because Spock was standing with a woman on the cover and I wanted to know who she was). Eon caught my eye, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Then, while going through a box of my dad's books (he passed away in 2000), I found a well-worn, obviously well-read copy of Eon. Who knows? Maybe as I go through my grandfather's stuff, as he was also a sci-fi fan, I'll find a third copy! Happy Holidays, Jennifer Waer

	Response: Second Generation Posted By: Greg Bear - 12/21/2004 12:54:26 PM How wonderful to hear that taste breeds true! I'm sorry that your father is no longer with us, but it's obvious you're carrying the flag very nicely.

ONE MOMENT OF THE EXPANDING PRESENT AND MERRY CHRISTMAS Posted By: Peter aka James Moni, Now... as an expression of tidal movement - 12/17/2004 08:36:11 PM I opened Darwins Radio last night. What fun!..finished it this morning..... fondly remembering Blood Music. I still carry my copy onboard my sailing vessel and share it( within sight) to anyone who wishes to read what good story telling is about..... As i sit here in the bay window letting my thoughts wonder to the other side of the planet, i wonder what you would write if you were here.www.mckiegarden.com This living dynamic nexus still holds me after all these years.... thanks for all youre hard work and thoughtfull insights from many characters you have sent out to watch the tides.. peace. peter.ps.. thankyou for sharing your honor and memory of a true human friend...

	Response: One moment of the expanding present and Merry Christmas Posted By: Greg Bear - 12/20/2004 12:44:44 PM Thanks, Peter. Today is off and on sunny in suburban Seattle, otherwise I'd be very jealous... Well, maybe I am anyway!

REPUBLICAN / DEMOCRATIC - EUROPEAN VERSION Posted By: Ivo Veldhuis, Southampton (UK) - 12/15/2004 11:14:57 AM Dear Greg Bear, Slight intoduction i feel, before i start making comments. Hi - my name is Ivo Veldhuis and i'm a phd student at the university of southampton in the uk, although i'm Dutch. My research focuses on the potential of liquid hydrogen as fuel for high-speed containerships. Maybe i was slightly inspired by Frank Herbert's books on Pandorra, but anyway that is not the reason for emailing. Having discovered this weblog and read through some of the entires i happened to notice the entries on the Republican and Democratic stand points on political scene in the US. Although europe is predominantly social-liberal, with all the problems that entails, it's difficult to grasp the enormous political divide between the democrats and republicans in the us. However, to support your stance for the democrats i just wanted to add some to this discussion, which hopefully adds some understanding why there isn't any loveloss between europe (exclude britain in that though) and George Bush. The BBC recently aired a couple of documentaries on why the world has its current political scene and some of the background behind global terorism. The documentary was called: "The Power of Nightmares" and came in three parts. Some information about its contents can be found at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/3755686.stm and http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/3951615.stm and http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/3970901.stm Although i'm not sure if this documentary will be ever aired on US television, i think its rather essential watching for americans to gain a better understanding why some european countries take another stance against the US on global terrorism. Point to note though is that the documentary doesn't deny or defend current terorism as such, it just highlights the background behind it. On top of that it's the BBC program's opinion and not my personal opinion, although my opinion is formed by watching these documentaries. It was and is still a very daring documentary to make. On a different note, i did enjoy Darwin's radio and Darwin's Childern very much and the quote that caused so much offence to one particular reader wasn't even noticed by me. It seems to make a difference as to where you read your books though. I actually enjoyed your Songs of Earth and Power very much as it played with the concept of God in a novel way, but you use this concept more often. Although i'm swerving from topic to topic, i was just wondering what your opinion is on the UK SF writer Ian Banks and his Culture universe. I just think it's a rather novel way to modern SF writing. I would appreciate your take on it. I haven't read your latest noverl Deadlines yet, but hope to do so in the near future after working through the latest Dune Prequel the Battle of Corin. Oh yes, also a Phd to finish before 2006, ah well, who said sleeping was essential. Love to hear from you, kind regards, Ivo Veldhuis

Response: Republican / Democratic - European Version Posted By: Greg Bear - 12/15/2004 12:09:50 PM Thanks, Ivo! Europe has a lot more experience with terrorists and anarchists over the years--I seem to recall a major war being launched by one. It's tough to say quite what is happening in American attitudes today. The news media on TV is inadequate to the task of describing them in detail--they go more for extreme opposition viewpoints which skew the picture of our actual opinions and divisions. Intemperate talk radio has had a huge influence on some segments of our culture--young males in particular. I simply characterize it as a time caught between fear and greed. Fear of what--terrorists? Abortionists? Condom purveyors? Communists? Liberals? Crypto-Nazis? Church-goers? Brainwashed students at university? You'll find some beady-eyed commentator attaching our ills to all of these at some point or another. Greed for what? If you're not as rich as Bill Gates, it must be the government's fault. If you have a big-screen TV and an SUV or an iPod and a futon, and you're still not happy, it must be the government's fault. What many Americans hate and fear most of all is paying their fair share to help keep America solvent and strong. As Walt Kelly once said, "We have met the enemy, and he is us." (Quoting Walt Kelly proves that I'm a liberal elitist, I'm afraid.) Iain Banks is a fine writer! I enjoy writers who spread their wings and jump from genre to genre, especially when they do well in all of them.

RADIOCHILDREN Posted By: Rob , FarFarAway - 12/15/2004 08:42:15 AM I just finished both your Darwin books. Took two days to burn through them. Wonderfully written. I recently re-read Heinlein's Requiem, and his description of good Sci-fi was fresh in my mind as I read your work. The social implications you explored are so vivid and believable I winced and shuddered throughout the stories. Wow. Write another one! Rob

	Response: RadioChildren Posted By: Greg Bear - 12/15/2004 10:46:39 AM Working on one right now, sans virus children, however. Let's see what the publishers think after a TV miniseries gets under way--(not to count chickens too early, of course)...

KUDOS TO SCIFI Posted By: Howard Miller, Augusta, GA - 12/14/2004 09:17:11 AM The SciFi channel is making an honest effort to offer REAL science fiction and deserves praise. It's so easy to conjure places, settings and conditions in print compared to visual art. I'm curious to see how .38 G will be handled in 'Red Mars'. Will they spend a lot of time sitting down?

Response: Kudos To SciFi Posted By: Greg Bear - 12/14/2004 12:49:52 PM Haven't yet seen WIZARD OF EARTHSEA, but I've enjoyed the DUNE productions, and I eagerly anticipate RED MARS. Odd how there hasn't yet been a completely satisfying film set on the Red Planet--ROBINSON CRUSOE ON MARS being the best so far, I think! FRAU IM MOND and THE CONQUEST OF SPACE are now available on DVD. I recommend viewing these films for a couple of reasons--FRAU moreso, as it's the better film, and by far the longer--almost three hours. FRAU has the first launch countdown and some remarkably prescient hardware, designed by Herman Oberth, as well as a relatively silly plot and breathable air on the far side of the moon. CONQUEST is visually interesting, dramatically quite poor, but Chesley Bonestell's renderings of a cratered Mars (with some obvious water-worn features) may be the first such.

	Response: Kudos To SciFi Posted By: Howard Miller, Augusta, GA - 12/15/2004 10:24:26 AM Herman Oberth also was involved with DESTINATION: MOON, which was based on a short story by Robert Heinlein. This movie appeared in 1950 and has very little in it that wouldn't hold up today.

Response: Kudos To SciFi Posted By: Greg Bear - 12/15/2004 10:49:54 AM Indeed. It's interesting to compare the two. In FRAU IM MOND, rich guys try to take over the moon launch to corner the market in potential moon gold. In DESTINATION MOON, the engineers go to the rich guys to get funding--and secure the prominence of America in space. Meanwhile, the public protests because of the launch of a nuclear-powered rocket! Heinlein and Pal got it much closer, no? (FRAU does have a three-stage rocket, however, and DESTINATION uses SSTO--single-stage to orbit.)

LIFE ON MARS IS A WAR OF THE WORLDS Posted By: Charles Terhune, Someville, MA!!! - 12/13/2004 03:03:44 PM Hello again, Greg. I thought you might liek to read this: http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/mars_life_041213.html No doubt you already have. I am waiting with baited breath for Opportunity to bump into something and takke a picture of a Martian's foot it has rolled onto. The mind boggles at this. 2nd Genesis. Life on Mars gone to Earth and Life on Earth goone to Mars?! Good thing I am sitting down! Take care!

	Response: Life on Mars is A War of The Worlds Posted By: Greg Bear - 12/13/2004 04:22:51 PM Great piece. Thanks, Charles! (Beware of pop-up, however.)

JUST FINISHED Posted By: Kelly Etter, Independence, MO - 12/12/2004 10:51:44 PM I just finished reading Darwin's Radio and Darwin's Children. AWESOME! I actually had tears in my eyes when I was done because I didn't want it to end! I read alot of books, these are the first I have read by you Mr. Bear, but I will definitely be reading more of them now! I haven't been this excited about a book in a long time. I picked up Darwin's Children on a whim cause it sounded interesting, started reading it and then realized this was the second book! I finished reading it, and then picked up Darwin's Radio, finishing them both in under a week! If I could go back, I still think I would read the second book first, I think it gave me a unique perspective. I couldn't put them down! I was very excited to hear that the Sci-Fi channel is planning a mini-series. I can't wait, I hope they do it justice! Any info on when the mini-series will be on? Any plans for a 3rd installment? Anyway, like I said the books are wonderful and I will definitely be picking up some more Greg Bear books. Thank You.

Response: Just Finished Posted By: Greg Bear - 12/13/2004 10:38:24 AM Many thanks, Kelly! Things are just getting started on DARWIN'S CHILDREN as a miniseries--they haven't yet signed on a screenwriter--but I'll post news here as soon as I get it. The holidays are usually a very slow time for the biz in Los Angeles. As for a third book--I'd like to write one. We'll just have to see how the Tarot cards fan out!

GREG...AREN'T YOU A BIT PUT OFF BY THE FACT SPIELBERG IS DOING A WAR OF THE WORLDS REMAKE? Posted By: John simonich, Belchertown, MA - 12/10/2004 11:20:34 PM I mean, come on. They seemed to put this enterprise together overnight. The movie seemed like it was in development for about a week, now its filming, and it will be out this summer. Where the heck is your Forge of God / Anvil of Stars...which would (will ??) make for an infinitely better movie. Why is this still in development hell?? Do you need a new agent? Do you want me to go yell at a few studio exec's at Warner Bros for you. Write the dang screenplay yourself, and let's get these made. I am so sad to see two of the greatest SF novels ever written languish in Hollywood limbo. The Earth invasion / Interstellar war movie of Summer 2005 should have been your work...not a re-make of WOTW.

Response: Greg...aren't you a bit put off by the fact Spielberg is doing a War of the Worlds remake? Posted By: Greg Bear - 12/13/2004 10:33:13 AM Hello, John! When I helped tour Steven Spielberg through the Science Fiction Museum last June, he hadn't yet signed on as director, but was heavily involved in production of WOTW, which had been in the works for some time. Shortly thereafter, with cast in place, he decided to direct. Usually that means he likes the cast and the script is great. I look forward to the film--should be fun. AI is one of my favorite SF films in recent decades, and I read WOTW several times while I was writing THE FORGE OF GOD. FORGE OF GOD is being scripted now by Stephen Susco. Development hell is tough to define--but two or three years is not at all unusual for a large project, and Stephen worked with us six years ago to take F.O.G. around town, so he's an excellent choice.

Posted By: Nick K., St. Johns, Michigan - 12/09/2004 12:59:59 PM Hi. I am a high school senior currently taking Advanced Placement biology. I first found your book 'Darwin's Radio' while looking for a book for a project in a literature class. I've spent all my free time reading your works, and with what little time I have, have enjoyed them immensely. I've only read Darwin's Radio and am currently working on Darwin's Children, but I love the fact that what I am currently learning in my classes is put to use in your books. I am able to enjoy what I am reading while learning more about the things I am interested in. I hope to make my way through all of your books as I have time. Thanks for your time and plese, keep writing!!

	Response: Posted By: Greg Bear - 12/09/2004 02:07:23 PM And thank you, Nick! Keep up the good work in biology--it's an absolutely amazing field. You'll find some more resources listed at the back of DARWIN'S CHILDREN, and in this weblog as well.

MR. SIMMONS !! CHEERS FROM SUNNY SPAIN Posted By: Juan Mielke, Marbella, Spain - 12/09/2004 09:53:19 AM Mr. Bear, I am very happy to find this way to send you a few words of appreciation. I have read Eon several times and I think it is really one of the masterpieces on SciFi. I must recognize Eon was a present from a friend who was not able to really enjoy such an intrincated plot with all that speculative fiction within. Unfortunatelly, your books are not easy to find in Spain, I was not able to find at any store none of the following ones ( to Eon), perhaps it is because your writting is not for everyone... I know there is another book on the reconstruction of Earth following the "Death" and I am dying to read it.... I wonder what happenned to Patrikia in an Alexandrian time line or alternative universe... you really left me thinking there. Cheers Mr. Bear, I will in time read everything you can produce, your style and "tempo" is fantastic, and some of your ideas.... excellent, and do not worry, I will find the rest of your titles ASAP. Juan M.

	Response: Cheers from sunny Spain Posted By: Greg Bear - 12/09/2004 12:25:07 PM Thanks, Juan! Keeping all my books in print isn't easy. I'll check on the status of ETERNITY and LEGACY. Meanwhile, my most recent novels--DARWIN'S RADIO, DARWIN'S CHILDREN, VITALS, and soon, DEAD LINES--should all be available in fine editions in Spain.

MORE ALONG THE LINES OF YOUR CURRENT INTERESTS Posted By: Mike Glosson, Stormy San Diego, California - 12/07/2004 02:29:07 PM http://www.nature.com/news/2004/041206/full/041206-2.html Manmade Cells! Would have caught this for you yesterday when it broke, if I wasn't celebrating our anniversary. I keep saying Wow every day when I get up. Mike

	Response: More along the lines of your current interests Posted By: Greg Bear - 12/07/2004 04:03:33 PM Very interesting work! Let's not call them "frankencells," please...

OLYMPIA TYPEWRITERS....... Posted By: Brian McKinley, Silverton, Oregon - 12/07/2004 01:03:58 AM Mr.Bear, I have read the Forge of God and The anvil of Stars too many times to count. Needless to say I am very taken with them. I have a question that might not have an answer. The typewriter hanging in Harry Feinman?s office, what does it mean?

	Response: Olympia typewriters....... Posted By: Greg Bear - 12/07/2004 10:53:38 AM My first typewriter was that brand. I learned to type with two fingers on it, all by myself--and today, I seldom use more than four fingers!

NEW VIEWS ON EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY Posted By: leon , London - 12/06/2004 12:27:43 PM Dear Greg I've read a number of your books and enjoyed them greatly as science fiction (of which I am an avid secret fan...) I recently had the good fortune to take Darwin's Radio on holiday with me and became utterly fascinated with the concepts of evolution. Can you recommend any books or articles that helped you come up with your very believable sounding ideas. At Uni we all read Dawkins but it seems that reality might be more complex and subtle than he implies. I feel utterly ignorant and would be very grateful if you could prescribe me a cure!

Response: new views on Evolutionary Biology Posted By: Greg Bear - 12/06/2004 02:50:57 PM I'd recommend, of course, Dawkins--as a beginning--and E.O. Wilson and Ernst Mayr, of course, but then move on to the most recent works by two Lynns--Lynn Margulis (with Dorion Sagan) and Lynn Caporale. An excellent text to refresh you and update you on modern genetics is Ricki Lewis's HUMAN GENETICS (McGraw-Hill). There's a list of good reading at the back of DARWIN'S CHILDREN, including one of my favorite science books of the decade, LATERAL DNA TRANSFER by Frederic Bushman. Doesn't matter how much I read these days--I STILL feel utterly ignorant! The discoveries and innovations are coming so thick and fast I doubt that any of us can keep up with them.

DARWIN'S CHILDREN SOCIETY 2 (PLEASE IGNORE FIRST ONE) Posted By: Kevin Moreno Tirado, Barcelona, Spain - 12/06/2004 10:35:02 AM Concerning my message: --- Hi Greg. I've been reading your books for a couple of years now ( since I found Eon in my father's library ), and have to admit most of them are really great. I've just finished reading Darwin's Children ( sorry if here in Spain we get the translation almost a year after ), and it was a really emotive, beautiful and deep reading. However, I wonder if you'll write ( maybe in some years, not in short time ), a sequel for the book. I always love to read about new societies ( from the ones that are almost like the one right now, to the ones were there are major changes in humanity ), and I'm sure the one proposed in this book, could make a quite interesting and great story ( Will the old humans adapt? How does the world change? How does the new kind react?... ) Keep up with the quality of your writing, I'll be waiting for Dead Lines to be translated. Kevin Moreno Tirado --- I sent you this letter a couple days ago, but, now that I?ve reread it, I notice it doesn?t contain the real message I intended to give ( sorry for my low knowledge of English, now I?m having help from a friend of mine to write this ). What I meant is that, Darwin?s Radio has a good enough end, and could have been left like that. However, with it?s sequel, Darwin?s Children, you opened a lot of questions which you didn?t conclude ( some like the ones I told above ). That led me to wonder ( in fact, more than a wondering it?s a question I?d appreciate to get answered ) that maybe you are planning to write another sequel to the book, as it?d presumably be a good scenario to explain how could survive a society where two different species coexist ( which, I must admit, would be rather interesting ). I hope you could understand my ideas ( I again apologyze for my plain English ), and please, if you don?t, don?t bother and tell me so, I?ll blissfully try (once again) to get myself clear. Kevin Moreno Tirado

	Response: Darwin's Children Society 2 (please ignore first one) Posted By: Greg Bear - 12/06/2004 11:13:56 AM Hello, Kevin! Good to hear from you. I'd like to continue the DARWIN saga through one more novel, but do not yet know whether that will be possible. With the potential TV show in the works, it may happen--and if it does, I'll answer your questions through the best medium I know--a story!

IMMACULATE CONCEPTION Posted By: Paul Sirotta, Biloxi, MS - 12/05/2004 04:44:01 PM In your Darwin books you mention "immaculate conception" in referenece to conception without sex. I was tought this is not its meaning. The Immaculate Conception refers to Mary herself, that she was born without the burden of original sin that afflicts the rest of humanity, thus making her fit to be the mother of God, not that Jesus was conceived without sex. Mary is the Immaculate Conception. Check it out with your local priest.

Response: Immaculate Conception Posted By: Greg Bear - 12/06/2004 11:18:33 AM You're quite correct, of course! Let's call this an immaculate misconception. It's interesting that readers did not point this out to me until about two years after the novel's publication. If I make an error about guns (in VITALS), I hear about it right away! (There are a few other errors in DARWIN'S RADIO, and these of medical nomenclature--one reader caught me out for confusing pediatrician and obstetrician a couple of times.)

STAPLETON AND DOC SMITH PLANETARY FORMATION? Posted By: Mike Glosson, Stormy San Diego, California - 12/05/2004 04:31:17 PM Finally catching up on News after finishing project. Saw this on CNN today: http://www.cnn.com/2004/TECH/space/12/02/solar.flyby/index.html Reminding me a bit of what the theory of planetary formation was like back in the late 1920s and early 1930s, with Solar Systems only forming when stars nearly collided. Doc Smith's Lensman Universe being tied to such an idea on a galaxy wide scale. It's been a weekend for forgotten theories back in the news, the item about the DOE and Cold Fusion research had me tapping my head to see if I was awake or not.

	Response: Stapleton and Doc Smith Planetary Formation? Posted By: Greg Bear - 12/06/2004 11:20:24 AM Ah, yes... When Cold Fusion heats up!

PLAUSABILITY SCHMAUZABILITTY!!! Posted By: Charles Terhune, Someville, MA!!! - 12/03/2004 12:41:51 PM Hello, Greg. I am yet another boring ardent fan. Read the Darwin books, Moving Mars, /Slant, Queen of Angels, etc. I am dying to see it in televised form and hopefully not too tragically altered (having seen too many favorite things destroyed, i.e. Dune, Dagon, etc.). I love your work and how much painstaking research you put into it and making the hard science stick. It's what makes it so strong becuase your science and your writing blend together so well. My point - and I am closing in on one - is this. I was recently reading a book about how to write "plausibly" about aliens and alien societies. And I found myself getting absolutely indignant and annoyed. The book itself was mostly a simple science primer and useful for that (it mentioned Dragon's Egg quite a bit, for instance). Buut nothing else, really. What I took issue with is the whole concept of what is plausible. How the hell do we know? Bumble bees shouldn't be able to fly, but they do! We know so much but so little about anything and everything - including the lump of gray cheeese in between our ears (some lumps are lumpier and some are cheesier, of course. This much I know). I just think that sometimes we can be so engrossed with making things plausible that we can make it dull and boring. I mean, who gives a tinkle if some writers science is right? Yours of course is, but does everyone's have to be?! Is the story good? Does it make you think? Laugh? Frustrated? I bet plenty of people found Star Trek outlandish and HIGHLY implausible, and yet if I remember correctly at least one Shuttle astronaut is up there because of their love of Star Trek and it's damned implausible ideas. And Buck Rogers, too! So I ask you this: Though it is obvious that you stand firmly on the ground of plausibility in your own work, how do you feel about it in general? For instance, would you consider writing a story where there was in fact sentient life on Mars? Thanks for your time. I am now off to go buy Blood Music and Dead Lines from my local booksmith. And read them after I finish Shackleton's account of his journey to the Antarctic! Thanks again for making me think, laugh and read sci-fi again! Charles R. Terhune P.S. Sentient martians. Think about it. Seriously, man.

Response: PLAUSABILITY SCHMAUZABILITTY!!! Posted By: Greg Bear - 12/03/2004 02:33:11 PM Hey, Charles! I'm with you--up to a point. Our ignorance is profound, and the really hard part of writing "hard" science fiction is trying to fill in some of the gaps in our knowledge in a plausible way. But sometimes we get completely blindsided. For example--I went out on a limb by suggesting in DARWIN'S CHILDREN that we'd find Homo erectus remains less than twenty thousand years old. But if someone had suggested we'd find the remains of Homo erectus toolmakers only three feet tall, and with one fifth our brain size, AND less than twenty thousand years old, (Homo floresiensis), I'd have said, No thanks. Too implausible! So reality must always be our guide. That said, wait until you read DEAD LINES... I feel good that we'll find life on Mars within the next ten years. But three feet tall, tool-making, and sentient? Hmm...

Response: PLAUSABILITY SCHMAUZABILITTY!!! Posted By: Mike McCaa, Huntington Beach, CA - 12/06/2004 07:47:36 PM This is a great point, Charles! I've also been regularly stimulated by Mr. Bears inclusion of imaginative science concepts. But...the thing that I tell all the people to whom I suggest his books to, is the amazing talent he has in relating absolutley intimate authentic human thoughts in the minds of his protagonists. In all the fiction I've read from famous authors, not-so-famous authors, and not-a-chance-to-ever-be famous authors Gregs ability to capture the fears, hopes, dreams of his characters that are so deep to them that they never are uttered out loud is second to none. There were moments in "SLANT" where I was awestruck at the insight into relationships....and too many others to mention here. Anyway...greg...don't change!! Er...keep doing what you've been doing.

	Response: PLAUSABILITY SCHMAUZABILITTY!!! Posted By: Greg Bear - 12/07/2004 10:39:58 AM Many thanks, Mike. I actually wish I DID understand how people think! And aliens, too.

WHAT IF HERV ACTS UPON THE RECENTLY BORN? Posted By: Brad, Ottawa, Ontario - 11/26/2004 09:45:06 AM I can't get HERV out of my head, and the ideas brought forward in your Darwin series. My line of thought here is quite unorthadox and mere speculation. However, what if HERV acts only upon the young? That is, after birth, HERV actually makes adjustments to the genome, which assist the child in its new environment? The most sensitive of any species, to stress and change in the environment, is the young. Things will effect them that do not effect the more mature of the species. HERV could still work as described in Darwin's Radio, but what if adults were not involved in the process at all? What if only the very young were? This would allow for the young to change after birth, to meet the demands of the world. Young that had not changed correctly, and find themselves under additional stress, would obviously express that to others as well. For HERV to work as well as it should, I think that significant genetic change should occur in smaller steps, in every generation, and that said change should occur before the body has started to adapt. Probably within the first week of birth. In a natural environment, most babies would likely be born at the same time. Summer/spring. Anyhow, mostly quick speculation.

Response: what if HERV acts upon the recently born? Posted By: Greg Bear - 11/26/2004 12:50:42 PM Intriguing ideas, Brad! We understand now that genomic rearrangements do occur in young animals--zebrafish, for example--and that transposons can be involved. The role that viruses and HERV play in actually adapting embryos or newborns (other than tuning their immune systems) could be a very interesting area for research! Another interesting area being studied more now is epigenetic adaptation in newborns. It's been demonstrated that epigenetic activation and de-activation (turning existing genes on or off, or otherwise modifying expression) can cause behavioral and perhaps even phenotypic changes in offspring. Another level of environmentally-induced genetic change... And of course these systems could all work together, or against each other.

MORE BLACK HOLE NEWS Posted By: Mike Glosson, Stormy San Diego, California - 11/23/2004 02:00:34 PM From CNN via Space.com http://www.cnn.com/2004/TECH/space/11/23/black.holeformation/index.html Readers may need to cut and paste the link. *sigh* I regret getting discouraged after that Science Fair in 1978 and not pursuing a career in Astro-Physics. I'd done a piece on Super Massive Black Holes and trying to model their formation. Super Massive Whats? Well, it was 1978...

	Response: More black hole news Posted By: Greg Bear - 11/23/2004 04:12:55 PM I was heavily into black holes throughout the seventies, trying to read GRAVITATION by Misner, Thorne, and Wheeler... Those were the days!

DEAD LINES Posted By: Loretta Parker, Missouri - 11/22/2004 01:47:11 PM I'm confused.Page 149,"his 10 year old daughter",and on page150,her twin is 11 years old.?

	Response: Dead Lines Posted By: Greg Bear - 11/22/2004 02:21:41 PM Daniella was ten years old when she was murdered. Two years have passed since Daniella's death. Lindsay is now twelve. She was eleven at the time that Peter is describing on pages 149-150.

SIBLINGS Posted By: Marc Schreiber, Broken Arrow, OK - 11/22/2004 12:55:24 PM Greg, I'm currently reading "Dinosaur Summer" and relayed the premise to my brother Mike. He seems to recall an anthropoogist named Bear while he was working at UC Berkeley. This would have been late 60s or early 70s. Perchance, are they related to you? Marc

	Response: siblings Posted By: Greg Bear - 11/22/2004 02:12:38 PM No relation I'm aware of, Marc! There are actually a fair number of Bears out there. Old English name...

PROOF ONE CANNOT ESCAPE POLITCAL POLARIZATION Posted By: Mike Reinhardt, St Louis - 11/18/2004 10:02:52 PM Mr Bear, I've read and loved everything you have written and just discovered this site this evening. As I read down through the postings I froze as I reached the series of jabs and counter jabs over your politcal slant in DC. Where can I go to escape the lib vs conservative battle? I can read a SF novel w/o feeling compelled to attack the writer regarding the politcal leanings of the novels CHARACTORS!!! Note: Dispite finishing DC I am still a bible reading gun loving Republican. The brainwashing effect of the book I read may have been reduced because I bought it in a used book store. To each his own-unless you're not one of us. Mike

Response: Proof One Cannot Escape Politcal Polarization Posted By: Greg Bear - 11/19/2004 11:13:38 AM Thanks, Mike. My brainwashing techniques can be remarkably subtle! Which shall it be--polarization, or bipolarization? During elections we tend to get a little manic, no? 'Twas ever thus. Just means that we care passionately for our country. As my friend David Clark describes it, sometimes living in the USA is like riding in a car driven by a crazy uncle. We get taken on some wild trips! Still, he's the best uncle there is, or at least, the most memorable. Politically, I think anyone who's read most of my books knows that I am a deep egalitarian--that I resent and despise discrimination or elitism of any sort. Imbalance leads to arrogance, and arrogance leads to bad rule. I also believe that government, by and large, should keep its mitts out of our private lives and intimate decisions. A government that lets me own guns, but interferes with all my other rights, is hardly a prescription for civil accord. As Mark Twain might have said, your freedom to swing your used copy of DC ends at my royalty statement... I'd protest mightily, Mike, except that I do love to visit used bookstores!

Response: Proof One Cannot Escape Politcal Polarization Posted By: Paul Eisenberg, Chicago area - 12/09/2004 07:43:53 PM Having just finished "Slant," I have to admit that The Kiss of X makes some great points on this topic. Of course he/she may display liberal tendencies. Nevertheless, the book (and the Darwin books as well) was great entertainment. Likewise, "Lucifer's Hammer" by Niven/Pournelle, which is about as conservative as a fiction story can get, was also a great read. As a liberal libertarian, I think people have placed themselves into these two bitter political camps that encourage hatred of the other. Can't we all just get along and revel in our shared delight of great fiction? Paul

PRODUCT PLACEMENT? Posted By: Mike Glosson, San Diego - 11/18/2004 11:52:09 AM Just got back from a shopping run for eatables at a Health Food Store. I've developed the "healthy" vice of buying various kinds of bottled water as a treat. One caught my eye, and I bought a rather expensive for its size small bottle of: EON Just a heads up. The tech explanation on the back of the bottle might be complete hooie, who can say. Since you have a novel by the same name, maybe they would ship you a flat of them free? Mike

	Response: Product Placement? Posted By: Greg Bear - 11/18/2004 12:45:25 PM Tried a bottle of EON. Not bad. Liked the paperback better. The science was more believable.

	Response: Product Placement? Posted By: Howard Miller - 11/19/2004 03:51:25 PM Next .. a tequila called 'Eternity'?

	Response: Product Placement? Posted By: Greg Bear - 11/19/2004 03:59:46 PM With a Jart in every bottle!

	Response: Product Placement? Posted By: Howard Miller, Augusta, GA - 11/27/2004 05:43:42 PM When you get to the bottom of the bottle - do you eat the Jart, or does the Jart eat YOU?

	Response: Product Placement? Posted By: Greg Bear - 11/29/2004 10:19:10 AM Bottle? I only have a cookie jart.

TRO SHINK Posted By: Howard Miller, Augusta, GA - 11/18/2004 09:56:45 AM I Googled the phrase 'Tro Shink' today - don't ask me why I do these things - and was surprised to see how many results I got and how it's penetrating the vernacular. It's getting right up there with 'grok' and 'vid'. My question is, where did you get the phrase? My guess, it's meant to be a corruption of the phrase 'très chic'.

	Response: Tro Shink Posted By: Greg Bear - 11/18/2004 10:53:26 AM Not quite up there with Grok. Tro shink fills one page of Google, and most of it refers to a band from Portland, bless them. QoA has a lot of mixes from French, Haitian, etc., though I don't remember quite where I pulled "shink" from. Tres chic (or trop chic) works!

	Response: Tro Shink Posted By: David Wright, Texas - 01/24/2005 12:02:56 PM As I recall, the characters in QoA guess that 'tro shink' is from Vietnamese, maybe a slang phrase in that language. Might not be where Mr. Bear got it from, however. And my understanding of it's meaning was "very" or "very much so", not quite "tres chic".

	Response: Tro Shink Posted By: Greg Bear - 01/24/2005 04:31:32 PM Wherever I actually got it from, no doubt I messed with it. And now Googling ultimately brings up nothing more than references to this book. The Vietnamese origin seems to resonate with my recall of its origin, however.

BEFORE REAGAN'S STAR WARS Posted By: Mike Glosson, San Diego - 11/15/2004 07:10:39 PM Greg Bear Wrote: Don't recall--how did we disagree? This seems in line with what the visionaries talking to the Reagan administration thought might be possible. From 1983 on, I was part of the group that met in Tarzana... The whole idea took heat at the time! Now, it's so bipartisan that Bill Clinton supported it. It was when you were teaching our old School as a visitor, and we were sitting around after class chatting. Nova or some PBS program had done a show regarding Nuclear War and how to bring down missles. I being very young and eager threw out: Why not use high power lasers to bring them down. Your stance was enough fog or dust would make the laser useless, and that anti-missile missles were the thing. With 1980's level of Laser technology, your stance at that moment was actually more logical. But maybe I left you with an image... Like I said, long before Reagan got worked up about Star Wars...the Lasers for that I believe were supposed to be space based X-Ray lasers, with the powering mechanism a possible violation of the 1967 UN Peaceful use of Space treaty. The Tarzana Group: That wouldn't happen to have been Jerry Pournelle and Larry Niven's Think tank, would it? I used them as an example of interest in the uses of space with the Head of TransOrbital. I have their position paper around here some where, with some High Frontier takes on the commercial uses of the asteroid belt. I think. Don't quote me on that! And another place where Arthur C. Clarke threw away a Zillion Dollars: I recently found one small paragraph in the 1968 THE PROMISE OF SPACE where he casually sketches out a system very much like that described by Reagan's Star Wars.

	Response: Before Reagan's Star Wars Posted By: Greg Bear - 11/15/2004 07:17:07 PM This makes sense. And it explains in part why it took so long to make lasers work! (The Tarzana group was indeed the one chaired by Jerry Pournelle. We met at Larry's house through the eighties and nineties--the Citizen's Advisory Council on National Space Policy.)

SET THE WAY BACK TO 1980 Posted By: Mike Glosson, San Diego - 11/15/2004 06:18:21 PM I'd updated nature and forgot to check it, due to a rare Migraine, and found this: http://www.nature.com/news/2004/041115/full/041115-1.html This took me back to our very first serious difference of opinion: on missle defense. Once again my imagination was ahead of the technology...24 years later things seem to be different. I love living long enough to watch technology catch up to what I think it should be. Mike

	Response: Set the way back to 1980 Posted By: Greg Bear - 11/15/2004 07:15:22 PM Don't recall--how did we disagree? This seems in line with what the visionaries talking to the Reagan administration thought might be possible. From 1983 on, I was part of the group that met in Tarzana... The whole idea took heat at the time! Now, it's so bipartisan that Bill Clinton supported it.

MANY THANKS Posted By: Mike Ward, Boston - 11/12/2004 07:01:37 PM Mr. Bear: Just this minute finished "Darwin's Children," having read "Darwin's Radio" a year or two ago. As always, I loved the book, felt connected to the characters, feel a sense of loss now, having closed the book and my connection to the lives of people who, for a short time, become so real to me. Of your many books, my absolute favorites were "Queen of Angels" and "Slant," which haunted me for months after I read them. The work was deeply psychological, and I was entranced (in a kind of literal sense) by the stories and the multiple levels of conscious/subconscious/unconscious. Many thanks for providing me with so many hours of stimulating, thought-provoking, emotionally satisfying reading. I hope you and your family are well. Very best regards, Mike Ward

	Response: many thanks Posted By: Greg Bear - 11/12/2004 07:12:27 PM And many thanks for reading my books, Mike. I hope I can keep satisfying!

BASE-12 [RE: DEAD LINES] Posted By: Robb Perrone, Santa Rosa, CA - 11/12/2004 07:01:24 PM Not that I'm a picky person - more or less - but I just finished reading Dead Lines and ith mentions that the phone keypad is in base-12. But it then says that the keys go up to '12'. Wouldn't that be base-13 [Zero being the first digit]?

	Response: Base-12 [Re: Dead Lines] Posted By: Greg Bear - 11/12/2004 07:11:00 PM Thanks for writing, Robb! We've covered this several times in the weblog--check below.

AUTHORSCAPE Posted By: patrick - 11/12/2004 01:05:43 PM something recursive ive experienced, in the last year: where is the threshold between an author embodying characters'personalities in writ, and actually hosting your own conversation?....or, is this an inherent actuality in competent writers?

	Response: authorscape Posted By: Greg Bear - 11/12/2004 01:57:32 PM Little of both. Characters have to have their own belief-system of course, and violating that breaks credibility. So authors frequently have to get into the heads of characters who are not like them at all... It's a delicate balancing act.

QUEEN OF ANGELS Posted By: Dawne Kirkland, Danville, CA - 11/11/2004 06:58:04 PM Hi Greg, thanks so much for getting back to me so quickly on my last email. I did forget to ask one thing. I happened to notice the similarity in names between Emmanuel Goldsmith in this book, and Emmanuel Goldstien in Orwell's 1984. (We are reading that book in the philosophy class as well.) Was this on purpose, or just a coincidence? If it was on purpose, what parallels were you hoping to make between the two men? Thank you

	Response: Queen of Angels Posted By: Greg Bear - 11/11/2004 06:59:54 PM Probably accidental. Emmanuel means "God is With Us."

QUEEN OF ANGELS Posted By: Dawne Kirkland, Danville, CA - 11/10/2004 03:11:58 PM Hi Greg. I really enjoyed Queen of Angels, and am in fact writing a philosophy term paper on it right now. There are so many themes in it, that i probably won't get them all in there. Anyway, there wasn't really an afterword to the book. And i'd really like your take on it, what you were going for, what you felt the driving theme was, etc... I did a web search and didn't find any real comments on it per se. I just like to get a feel for what other people see in it, in case i missed anything good. Anyway, i know you are busy, but if you had a few comments for me, or even a prepared statement, i would love it. Thanks.

Response: Queen of Angels Posted By: Greg Bear - 11/10/2004 05:03:15 PM Hello, Dawne! My major themes in QoA were the origins of self-awareness and the search for justice, as defined in Mary Choy's society--including revenge and punishment. Curiously, that same theme of crime and punishment occurs in FORGE OF GOD and ANVIL OF STARS. And it's still on my mind to this day. Our society is pretty much a revenge-oriented, kick-ass society, even now. Elaborating on an idea first expressed, to my knowledge, by Julian Jaynes, in QoA I describe self-awareness as a feedback loop created when we model our behaviors to see how we will fit into a social order. The model of our "self" becomes an entity unto itself. It begins to believe it is in charge, rather than just being the strawboss of dozens or hundreds of major subroutines. (See Minsky's "Society of Mind" for more on this view of psychology.) When we revert to a less self-aware mode, we are generally less socially engaged, at least in the immediate moment. So perhaps we "lose our selves in our work." I'd go on--but I'd rather hear your take!

SOME COMMENTS ON THE DARWINS RADIO & QOA UNIVERSES Posted By: Kristin A Ruhle, Bay Area CA - 11/08/2004 07:16:56 PM On David Brin's site, he refers to Darwin's Radio as a "dire warning." In other words "we had better prepare or else." Did you intend it that way? In other words, is the basic idea to tell people how civilization would respond in all the wrong ways to an evolutionary event, treating it as a disaster instead of the wonderful thing it is, in the hope that we'll heed the warning and things won't be as bad as they are in the book? I thought Darwin's Children was the first book I ever read where the "villain" was not any one person, but an outdated scientific paradigm. People are guilty only of wrong thinking, answering the question, "How could the smartest minds....do the STUPIDEST thing?" (Not to mention unspeakably cruel!) Both the Queen of Angels/Moving Mars cycle, and Darwin's Radio/Darwin's Children, are about "upgraded" versions of humanity. In the former, humans have been upgrading themselves; in the latter, nature does it. Both ideas have fascinating implications. Either could lead to a utopian society, but from the bottom up rather than the top down. Most "rationalist" utopias in SF have been so-called "planned societies" (and sf readers, being rugged-individualist types, often find them horrifying!) Having read the QoA series in publication order, rather than the order in which the stories happen, Slant strikes me as a slight retreat (even though we know from MM that all the problems Slant poses were presumably solved!) A brain chip? What if somebody hacks it? Would you really want to live in a world where people prefer virtual sex to the real thing? In Slant I also see a transition from "silicon" oriented thinking, (in your writing), to more of a biological model. The bio-based AI actually strikes me as more plausible than a silicon one - although a giant ant farm like that would be a bit unwieldly. Characters like Mary move to an environment (Seattle) where things are less extreme than in Los Angeles (although by the time of Moving Mars the whole Earth is going in extreme directions, and Mars has a kind of version-compatibility problem!) Do you think of Slant as a sort of farewell to emphasis on Drexlerian "magic nanotech" and a move to biology? I could go on forever with this, but how about it?

Response: Some comments on The Darwins Radio & QoA universes Posted By: Greg Bear - 11/08/2004 07:32:29 PM Excellent points, Kristin. The last word has yet to be written on nanotech, as Drexler knows very well! Most of what is called nanotech today is simple micro- or milli-tech. The best is yet to come--and the greatest challenges as well! Most of my fiction is not so much about specific points of view winning out as processes swaying back and forth. Few individuals can actually control their destiny for very long, and larger forces are often too complex for individuals to comprehend. Scary? Yes, indeed! But when we read a novel, we can at least temporarily feel that we understand some of the forces well enough to make judgment calls. So there is some comfort in reading disturbing books!

Response: Some comments - biotech and virtual sex Posted By: patrick - 11/10/2004 01:30:51 PM there're lots of others who have pondered the implications and ramifications of using organic constructs and such, instead of conventional technologies.... there's the opportunity - and not just weird stuff for sickos - to experience things that might otherwise not be possible....like, being a different gender. theres also the issue of disease: could have 'sex' with anyone and not worry about it....well, unless there was such a thing detailed in their virtual profile - and then you might get it, like a virtual virus....or, wait!, it might manifest for real, even - you know, psycho-somatic response. well....you can change the world, but not people....or can you?

	Response: Some comments on The Darwins Radio & QoA universes Posted By: Greg Bear - 11/10/2004 02:04:36 PM Probably started even before Westworld brought robot sex to the attention of the kiddies...

BLACK HOLE NEWS Posted By: Mike Glosson, San Diego, California - 11/08/2004 06:34:26 PM Not sure if you are as excited about Black Holes as you used to be in the late 70s, but this just got posted to Nature: http://www.nature.com/news/2004/041108/full/041108-2.html Interesting News of multiple condensed objects at Galactic Centre. Does two count as a Multiple?

	Response: Black Hole News Posted By: Greg Bear - 11/08/2004 07:27:07 PM Caught part of this a.m. today... Getting even more complicated! If a baseball encyclopedia is thrown down a black hole, will Shoeless Joe return?

ORDER OF BOOKS Posted By: karen berry, portland, OR - 11/08/2004 11:42:40 AM Greg: Just discovered you...wow!! You have made my miserable commute a joy with Darwin's Radio. My background is anthropogy/law/investigator... so you are like manna from heaven. What order should I read your books in? Thank you, Karen Berry, Esq

Response: Order of Books Posted By: Greg Bear - 11/08/2004 12:28:12 PM Depends on what series! DARWIN'S RADIO, then DARWIN'S CHILDREN, of course. In terms of time, the Thistledown series begins with "The Wind from a Burning Woman," then "The Way of All Ghosts," and moves on thereafter to LEGACY, EON, and then ETERNITY. The Quantum Logic succession begins with QUEEN OF ANGELS, then SLANT, HEADS, and MOVING MARS. FORGE OF GOD, then ANVIL OF STARS.

DARWIN'S RADIO/CHILDREN & AOL Posted By: Butler, Wetumpka, AL - 11/07/2004 12:39:35 PM Suggestion: Your newletter may be tripping AOL's 'Spam Filter.' If AOL members who sign up also add the e-mail address from which the newletter is sent to their AOL address books, it should be passed by the filter. Question 1: Noticed in Darwin's R/C that you sling a lot of Bio-jargon with minimal explanation. Do your editors or readers ever complain? I would be pleasantly suprised to find that the readership at large was so well informed (have a Bio degree myself). Question 2: Though active/violent measures were mentioned, plot lines focussed on people fighting 'within the system.' Main Characters' extra-legal efforts were limited to passive resistance. Traditional SF plotting would've used more active measures, and/or use of New Childrens' abilities. Was this an intentional statement of belief on your part in the fundamentally self-policing nature of Democracy in particular, and human society, or even Ecology, in general? Do/did anyone ask for 'more Action?'

Response: Darwin's Radio/Children & AOL Posted By: Greg Bear - 11/08/2004 12:24:16 PM Thanks, Butler. We may not have sent out a newsletter recently, and should get on it and test this technique. Bio-jargon met with minimal complaints, and may in fact have helped move DARWIN'S RADIO along in sales--since a lot of biotech types purchased the book, just to marvel (perhaps) at all the bio-jargon! But seriously, most sf readers are a hardy lot, and sensing authentic lingo, will go with the flow. (I compare it to the legalese on LAW AND ORDER, which fascinates me. I want to know more.) Nobody requested more action. In fact, some readers complained about the action conclusions in both SLANT and VITALS.

SHORT STORIES Posted By: Stefan Johansson, Renton - 11/06/2004 07:52:01 PM Hello again, been awhile since I stopped by the site. I have been reading a collection of short stories and wanted to tell you how much (again) I'm enjoying your work. One in particular, "the Visiting" just blew me away. I had to read it again. What a treat to read a piece of work that grabs you and gets you thinking from a different perpective. I'm enjoying the introductions to these stories just as much because of their candid and honest nature. I find myself saying to my wife "would love to have this guy over for pizza and coffee and just talk." Maybe if you're in the neighborhood. Hope you are well.

	Response: Short stories Posted By: Greg Bear - 11/08/2004 12:17:07 PM Thanks, Stefan! Compare "The Visitation" with a few chapters in DARWIN'S CHILDREN and I think you'll see an interesting contrast...

COVER ART Posted By: George Lee Stuart, Lismore NSW Australia - 11/04/2004 05:03:18 PM Hi Greg I'm interested in cover art in general and the authors relationship with the cover and the artist in particular. I love the cover of Slant. It's so evocative in many ways and if my memory serves me well, featured in a magazine article on nanotechnology (Scientific American maybe). The cover to Queen of Angles in contrast is rather dull and uninspired. Except that my copy, which I assume is the English printing, has a rather surreal rendering of the interstellar ship. It looks rather like a series of kiddies fairy wings linked together with a guitar neck sticking out forward. Solar sail and utilities I expect. How much input do you get to the cover and do you get to talk to the artist? And as an afterthought can you put the superior Queen of Angels cover up on your site for others to enjoy ? Regards George

Response: Cover art Posted By: Greg Bear - 11/04/2004 05:40:13 PM I've only once nixed a cover, and that was the originally proposed art for the U.S. edition of QUEEN OF ANGELS. The present cover is a real improvement. I own the original art for both the Jim Burns and the Peter Jones covers of SLANT and QUEEN OF ANGELS, which shows you how much I like them, as well. SLANT had the same cover in both the UK and the U.S.

YOUR BOOK EON INTORDUCED ME... Posted By: The Frant, Frant Homeworld - 11/04/2004 04:36:31 PM Your book Eon introduced me to your writings and you as a person just a few months ago but since then I have been reading every book of yours I can find. I would like to thank you for intorduceing me to a mind and story telling style as wonder full as yours thank you The Frant

	Response: your book Eon intorduced me... Posted By: Greg Bear - 11/04/2004 04:41:16 PM Thanks! I can't post anonymous postings, unfortunately--unless, of course, you're a nonhuman, which you are.

NOT EVERY ONE CAME FROM AFRICA. Posted By: Jana Mallory, Rollinsford, NH - 11/04/2004 04:09:50 PM You replied: If by blacks, you mean African Americans, you're off my grid, Jana. Do you regard Republicans as a separate race, once kept in extreme conditions of servitude, and now suffering from the lingering after-effects of centuries of economic and political repression? Surely you jest. You support abortion rights, drug legalization, and as an atheist, you seem not to be an evangelical Christian. So you must have voted for Bush because of his take on taxes and national security. Doesn't that fit into what my congressional assistant says about the Republican core? I enjoy tell-all books about the White House. Right now, I'm reading Ronald Kessler's two excellent books about the FBI. Richard Clarke's book seems to fit in that category, as well. But I never did see FAHRENHEIT 9-11, because I while I think Moore is an interesting propagandist, I didn't need to get any angrier about this election than I already was. I wanted to keep my perspective as much as possible. But compare the current Republican Party to blacks? No. I would not do that. My response: You miss the point entirely. You have chosen a group of people to be the evil, bad guys, but you would not EVER have them be Blacks (and by the way, many people with dark skin are NOT from Africa, and will TELL you so, so why should you lump them all together, too? My black friends don't like the term one bit). Why would you not ever have them be the bad guys? Because you would not want to insult them, and I think it likely you might be ashamed of yourself for it if you did. But bashing all Republicans is just fine, no matter who gets hurt, no matter how many good people belong to the group. Lumping all people together and treating them as if they were all the same because they belong to a group is sterotyping whether they are black, white, Republican or Democrat. (That is why I direct somes of my comments at liberal elitists, not Democrats, because I am describing a certain type of mindset.) Yet sterotyping is exactly what you do in "Darwin's Children", period. There is NO balance that I could see. It was clear that it was "the Replublicans", not individual people, that were responsible...plug in the word Blacks instead, and maybe you will see just how ridiculous, and offensive, this thinking is. As I said before, conservative Republicans are always fair game. Everyone else cries foul and gets away with it.

Response: My 2 Cents Posted By: Terran McCanna, A Red State - 11/06/2004 04:48:41 PM "As I said before, conservative Republicans are always fair game. Everyone else cries foul and gets away with it." As far as I'm concerned, whoever is in control (and that happens to be conservative Republicans for the next 4 years) is fair game. The only way for our democracy to work is if we all educate ourselves and question the choices of our leaders. We should not blindly support or attack them just because of the party they belong to, but we do need to watch to make sure they are doing what is in the best interests of their entire constituency and not just the vocal part of the constituency.

NO GUTS NEEDED Posted By: Jana Mallory, Rollinsford, NH - 11/04/2004 03:26:09 PM Well Mr. Bear, I appreciate your comments concerning your beliefs. Let me give you a challenge: Read "A Matter of Character" by Ronald Kessler. I will finish your book. I love the basic story concept and it takes no guts to finish it, because the implication indicting the Republicans is ludicrous anyway. I can set aside my dissappointment in your choices. It IS, after all, only fiction. Still, I would have liked you to answer my question: Would you have used Blacks as subject for your "bad guys"? If you have the guts to read what a real person found out about George Bush (and Clinton and Reagan and Carter) when he hung around the White House and interviewed the White House staff and Secret Service, you might be a bit surprised. Balance, remember?

Response: No guts needed Posted By: Greg Bear - 11/04/2004 03:45:02 PM If by blacks, you mean African Americans, you're off my grid, Jana. Do you regard Republicans as a separate race, once kept in extreme conditions of servitude, and now suffering from the lingering after-effects of centuries of economic and political repression? Surely you jest. You support abortion rights, drug legalization, and as an atheist, you seem not to be an evangelical Christian. So you must have voted for Bush because of his take on taxes and national security. Doesn't that fit into what my congressional assistant says about the Republican core? I enjoy tell-all books about the White House. Right now, I'm reading Ronald Kessler's two excellent books about the FBI. Richard Clarke's book seems to fit in that category, as well. But I never did see FAHRENHEIT 9-11, because I while I think Moore is an interesting propagandist, I didn't need to get any angrier about this election than I already was. I wanted to keep my perspective as much as possible. But compare the current Republican Party to blacks? No. I would not do that.

SIGH Posted By: Jana Mallory, Rollinsford, NH - 11/04/2004 02:12:56 PM Mr. Bear: My original message, which I will attach at the end, was sent because your story line did not sound as if only the speaker (the character) felt the way he did about Republicans, but the entire premise of the book was that evil, right-wing Republicans were the cause of all the horror occuring in your book...and so far, from what I read, (it wasn't crunchy granola people who torched Riverside, was it?) the "the Republicans" are at fault. Frankly, I am sick to death of this attitude from a large portion of liberal Democrats. The hatred and rage I have seen directed at George Bush blows my mind. Yes, I detested John Kerry (as a phoney con artist, among other reasons), but it didn't turn me into a screaming maniac. I saw this happen with a Bush hater, first hand, at work one day. Scary and shocking. I wanted you to know that I have been a big fan (and I buy only new hard cover books, by the way). I really like your stories. I just wish this one was told without the obvious poltical bias. In my opinion, it is a huge distraction. Making people think about the future and considering what it might be like is fun, and sometimes disturbing, but that is what science fiction is all about. Making crystal clear that a nasty future is "the Republican's" fault is political commentary, incredibly devisive and, again, in my opinion, best avoided in order to transcend the present. I would not enjoy a story with the roles reversed either. Having an evil entity is fine, but could easily be accomplished without lumping every member of a present day party or group of people together. Would you have even considered writing a story in which the "pit bulls" were all Blacks? That it was the Blacks who had risen to power that were the cause of the nasty future? Unthinkable. But conservative Republicans are always fair game. It is just unneccessary unless there is an agenda. That is what I protest. (Again, I am NOT a conservative Republican...I have been an atheist since age 13, think all drugs should be legal, and do not think abortion should be illegal...that should just about cover it.) In our community, the Bush/Cheney signs were slashed, stolen or sprayed with paint...I only know of one Kerry sign that was ever removed (it is a small community and easy to keep track of what was put up and what stayed up). Twelve of my signs were stolen. One Bush/Cheney headquarters was shot at, and in Boston, volunteers were beat up and the headquarters ransacked. Then to begin reading what I thought was going to be some escapism after the election, only to have Republicans depicted, again, as the evil bad guys after putting up with the nasty hatred for George Bush we have seen, was just the last straw. Anyway, I was really bummed out that politics got in the way of great fiction. J Mallory Rollinsford, NH Original Message (Having reread it, my sentiments still stand about what I think of liberal elitists and their treament of anything they don't agree with, but perhaps it was an unfair review - however, I really cannot be sure because of the strong reaction I had when I started reading "Darwin's Children"). Dear Mr. Bear: I own almost all of your books. I have read and enjoyed them very much. Right up until "Darwin's Children", that is. I quote, "The Republicans are the country's pit bull, Mitch. Barking in the night, all night, every night, right or wrong, and savaging their enemies without mercy." Really? Have you been paying ANY attention this year at all? Michael Moore, Mr. Soros, Whoopie Goldberg and the rest of the so-called tolerant (what an oxymoron THAT is when applied to these people), peace loving liberal Democrats...never in my not very short life have I seen such bald, naked hatred as these people, and their friends, have demonstrated. They have a lock on mean-spirited nastiness. Self-serving, narcissistic opportunists all. I am a Republican, and I know many other Republicans, and none of us resemble anything like the picture you paint. You, Sir, are part of the vicious, hate mongering, country dividing, maniacal left wing that has torn this country apart ever since Al Gore legitimately lost the 2000 election but did not have the balls, or apparently the brains, to admit it. At least John Kerry had the good sense, and decency, to do the right thing. I was pleasantly surprised at his actions, but I can admit it. Now, you continue your vitriolic behavior by incorporating your hatred into your stories. I have never read a novel where the author tried to paint the Democrats, as a whole, evil (even though I might think there are a few who would qualify for that title -- I am intelligent enough to know that there are evil people in both parties). These authors have wisely left their political opinions at home where they belong. Unfortunately, what seemed like promising fiction turns out to be nothing more than another hate filled vehicle, written by a blind to reality, intellectual elitist who thinks he knows what is best for everyone else and is just certain we all want to hear it. You should be ashamed of yourself. But my experience with people like you is that you are incapable of that emotion. Rather than pass this book on to someone else, someone not smart enough to know they are being brainwashed, I will just take it to the dump on Saturday, where it will join the rest of the garbage.