Page 211 of 494

Re: Science Fiction Trivia

Posted: Wed Mar 08, 2017 1:51 pm
by Disembodied
That's the one! In the aftermath of a technological singularity (the "Hard Rapture"), the Carlyle family gain control a wormhole skein linking numerous planets around the galaxy - because of their vigorous determination to maintain control over the skein, and thanks to their thrusting and entrepreneurial approach to investigating the detritus of the singularity, they are also known as the Bloody Carlyles (hence the "Begbie" clue, referencing Robert Carlyle's portrayal of the character from Trainspotting).

Re: Science Fiction Trivia

Posted: Thu Mar 09, 2017 1:52 pm
by Cody
My question-fu seems to have deserted me - so who wrote this:
A learning experience is one of those things that say, 'You know that thing you just did? Don't do that'.

Re: Science Fiction Trivia

Posted: Sat Mar 11, 2017 8:07 am
by Malacandra
That's one of Douglas Adams's. :)

Re: Science Fiction Trivia

Posted: Sat Mar 11, 2017 8:20 am
by spud42
from..... Douglas Adams, The Salmon of Doubt

Re: Science Fiction Trivia

Posted: Sat Mar 11, 2017 10:34 am
by Cody
Malacandra gets it... and yes, it is from The Salmon of Doubt (wonderful title).

Re: Science Fiction Trivia

Posted: Sun Mar 12, 2017 10:44 am
by Malacandra
Okay, a hasty one as it's my son's birthday weekend... what's the connection between a leading roboticist from a number of well-known stories, and Bill Watterson?

Re: Science Fiction Trivia

Posted: Sun Mar 12, 2017 8:41 pm
by ffutures
Calvin. Bill Watterson was creator of Calvin and Hobbes, Susan Calvin was the roboticist in Asimov's 3 laws robot stories.

Re: Science Fiction Trivia

Posted: Mon Mar 13, 2017 6:38 am
by Malacandra
I'll take that, but I was really hoping for "Susan Calvin" since Susie was Calvin's antagonist in the strip. Over to you.

Re: Science Fiction Trivia

Posted: Mon Mar 13, 2017 11:47 am
by ffutures
OK, quick question - if you're a PVSJ what do you breathe, and in which author's universe?

Re: Science Fiction Trivia

Posted: Mon Mar 13, 2017 10:08 pm
by ffutures
Seriously? Let's add that the author comes from Northern Ireland.

Re: Science Fiction Trivia

Posted: Mon Mar 13, 2017 11:15 pm
by Norby
ffutures wrote:
if you're a PVSJ what do you breathe, and in which author's universe?
Chlorine and James White, based on this.

Re: Science Fiction Trivia

Posted: Mon Mar 13, 2017 11:44 pm
by ffutures
Norby wrote: Mon Mar 13, 2017 11:15 pm
ffutures wrote:
if you're a PVSJ what do you breathe, and in which author's universe?
Chlorine and James White, based on this.
Absolutely right, give the DBDG a coconut. Your turn!

Re: Science Fiction Trivia

Posted: Tue Mar 14, 2017 12:57 am
by Norby
Name author and book where the main character solved many mysterious situations in our solar system, both in spaceships, Mars and on the Moon. Once a robot was important also, called to Terminus.

Re: Science Fiction Trivia

Posted: Tue Mar 14, 2017 8:55 am
by spud42
Asimov. Elijah Bailey, r Daneel Olivaw. Caves of Steel. amoung other books....

Re: Science Fiction Trivia

Posted: Tue Mar 14, 2017 9:50 am
by Norby
spud42 wrote: Tue Mar 14, 2017 8:55 am
Asimov. Elijah Bailey, r Daneel Olivaw.
Another author and the main character is not a robot, he is human. A small clue: the title of the book contain his profession.