A panel of French psychologists who apparently have too much time on their hands have just concluded an analysis of Anakin Skywalker’s life and concluded that the dude was a little nutty. From the death of his beloved mother to an Emperor who was a clear destabilizing influence, poor ol’ Darth was doomed from the…

In this Arthur C. Clarke novel, Earth is on the verge of nuclear Mutual Assured Destruction but is saved by the intervention of benevolent aliens who have the form of traditional devils. Name it! This Spielberg film is about a young boy/robot who wakes up an amnesiac in the woods. Adopted by a pleasant family,…

Base Pair Friendship Necklace – Matching DNA/RNA molecules. Tell someone that they’re the adenine to your uracil. Awesome Papercraft Robots – A collection of 50 robots to download and assemble. AT-AT Wedding Cake – It’s the accompanying Ewok cupcakes that really make this. Fake Science – “For when the facts are too confusing.” I think…

This movie was unfortunately released soon after Dr. Strangelove, but where Strangelove was humorous in a macabre sort of way, this movie was deadly serious, starring Henry Fonda in a believable role as an American President up against the wall. What author is responsible for the term “cyberpunk?” What does the “R” stand for in…

I would like, very, very much, to understand the train of thought that terminated with this.

In this Lois McMaster Bujold novel, Cordelia Naismith and Aral Vorkosigan were once enemies in an interstellar war. Now a fragile peace has been established and they’re a married couple expecting their first child. Name it! Arthur C. Clarke was awarded a Marconi International Fellowship in 1982 for inventing what concept? What was the title…

Who are the Draka? A vast alien spaceship passes through the solar system in this Arthur C. Clarke novel, using the Sun’s gravity to boost its velocity. Human explorers witness the brief blossoming of its artificial life system, but do not meet its makers. Name it! What SF magazine edited by Michael Moorcock was strongly…

Apparently the TomTom GPS system allows you to download voice files for several Star Wars characters, including C-3P0, Yoda, and Darth Vader. Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at the recording session for Vader’s voice. I’m assuming they don’t have a Jar-Jar option because of the increased risk of drivers deliberately aiming for a cliff. (via Weird…

Voracious Brain – Awesome science-based stitchery. The artist also has an Etsy shop. CosaNostra Pizza T-shirt – ThinkGeek has shirts that advertise Snow Crash‘s pizza parlor. Escape from Earth Day – Suvudu ends the world in various interesting ways. Alchemist Keyboard – Lovely computer keyboard mod. The Office Kid – A kid-in-a-kit for childless people…

What was the name of the ship that first encountered the alien in Alien? This book consists of ten short stories by William Gibson. It contains the title story, as well as “The Winter Market,” “Dogfight” (co-authored with Michael Swanwick), and “Hinterlands.” Name it! What planet was the birthplace of Paul-Maud’Dib? What was Kip Russell’s…