John Scalzi is talking a big game:
I was just taking one of those Internet tests to see how much of a geek I am, when I suddenly thought, what the fuck am I doing? I'm a published science fiction writer. Do not pass "go," do not collect $200, you know? Just go straight to the geek win.
That's right, I win at geek. Tell me I'm wrong.
All I have to say is, "Enjoy it while you can, Heinlein boy."
I'm writing a book based on talking to my dog about quantum physics. Scalzi holds the title for the moment by virtue of actually being published, while my book is still pending.
But he's just keeping my chair warm. Talking to the dog about quantum theory blows away his weak little "Campbell Award winning SF author" thing...
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Yup, I'm with you. Physics geekdom beats sci-fi geekdom any day of the week. Although the dog part actually makes you more cool.
But I still say Orzel wins the geek prize. You can't say I don't support my friends! HTH. HAND.
You can't beat the occasional Nobel Laureate in a Science who ALSO publishes science fiction. It's happened several times...
That's Gamma Ray geek, compared to mere UV Campbell Award and X-Ray Physics professor.
I'll ready ANY book by either of you, regardless. But -- maybe you could collaborate on a story? Pretty please?
Bring it ON, Dr. Dog.
Just because I'm itchin' to get my hands on your book doesn't mean I won't take you DOWN.
Obviously, this must be settled with lightsabers.
If I send each of you one, will you pose with it?
And yet, we love you.
Your "talking about quantum theory to my dog" book rocks my world.
But the real question is:
which is better?
Schadenfreude pie?
Or Cheese Poof?
I vote the latter. By a margin.
Chad,
We've been haunting the same net spaces for over a decade now, and I like you and all, but you and Mr. Scalzi both lose on this one.
Rudy Rucker and Vernor Vinge out geek the both of you.
By a lot.
Rudy Rucker and Vernor Vinge out geek the both of you.
Post-humans don't count.
John and I are contending for the geek championship on this side of the Singularity.
Umm...
You have a science blog. You can stop right there.
I haven't kept up with Rucker's work since Freeware (I should fix that)...has he gone the singularity route?
"Christmas Card From a Hooker in Minneapolis - The Ataris (The Year they Recalled Santa Claus)"
Good song, I prefer the original Waits version, but both are good depressing versions. Always good for the holidays...
No no, I've actually made Schadenfreude pie, it's actually quite excellent. It came out sort of like a caramelized pecan pie, albeit with a rich chocolate flavor. De-licious.
I'd also argue that while physicists are near the tippy-top of the Geek Hierarchy, they get beat by science fiction authors simply because there are so few full-time SF authors. I think the hierarchy works as follows:
3. Physicists (and other working scientists)
2. Successful SF Authors
1. Physicists (and other working scientists) who are also Successful SF Authors
"I'm writing a book based on talking to my dog about quantum physics."
What I want to know is what the dog answers.
"'Rudy Rucker and Vernor Vinge out geek the both of you.'
Post-humans don't count."
Remember that Marvin Minsky has coauthored a Science Fiction novel with Harry Harrison. That Greg Egan coauthors Math-Physics with John Baez.
And, in the life-challenged: That Isaac Asimov wrote or edited over 500 books, many masterpieces of science fiction, and was also professor of Biochemistry; Robert Heinlein invented the waterbed and the spacesuit and the term "free fall." Eric Temple Bell, under pseudonym, was a giant of science fiction, and influential Math Professor at Caltech, leading a double life -- and some hidden triple identity.
And, dudes, Sir Arthur C. Clarke is about to celebrate his 90th birthday!
Is he one of the first post-humans, or one of the last great humans?
Either way, there are some VERY tall mountains in the range we scale.