Tag Archives: Essay

Realistic Combat: Better Is No Guarantee

Posted on November 28, 2020 by

I recently realized that some science fiction readers and also those curious about the machines of war sometimes have a skewed notion about how military systems should be compared. I find this by reading people’s thoughts about books/movies I know … Continue reading →

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Spaceship Shields in Science Fiction

Posted on October 30, 2020 by

The Necessity of Shields in Space In so many science fiction stories involving spaceships, they almost always include shields on the vessels. Even in a real world scenario they’re important to have. Outside the protective magnetosphere and atmosphere of our … Continue reading →

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Do Walking Tanks Make Sense?

Posted on August 17, 2020 by

I can recall back in the day when I watched “The Empire Strikes Back” in the theater. To this day, my favorite scene in the movie was the AT-ATs. I’d never before imagined a giant walking tank. My mouth fell … Continue reading →

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The Future of Carriers

Posted on June 28, 2020 by

I’ve been thinking a lot about aircraft carriers, and their future. With nations developing HGVes (Hypersonic Glide Vehicles), capable of striking anywhere in the world, I wonder how long the reign of supercarriers like Ford-class will continue. Several decades more, … Continue reading →

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Diverse Thinking in the Time of Coronavirus

Posted on May 23, 2020 by

In the time of Coronavirus, Americans are doing a great job…of frustrating the heck out of each other. Not only because we’re cooped up in the house with each other more than usual, but because we think and act so … Continue reading →

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Details make It Interesting

Posted on May 2, 2020 by

Online, I’ve found myself in many debates with other writers about technical details versus character development. When I’m listening (reading actually) to someone’s argument that a story lacking the human element is no story at all, I find I must … Continue reading →

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Being a Tortoise

Posted on February 29, 2020 by

Another essay from Momus News. This time we consider, “Writing a book is such a huge undertaking: how do you finish one?” When I started reading books, on my own, with enthusiasm, I recall being daunted by page length. I … Continue reading →

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Technobabble Versus Technical Description

Posted on January 9, 2020 by

Continuing on in the Momus News essays, let us consider the differences between technobabble and technical description. I’ve been a technically-minded person for most of my adult life. I’ve made my living developing databases and refining web-based user interfaces. All … Continue reading →

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Maximum (Effective) Laser Range

Posted on December 26, 2019 by

When I began writing, The Huralon Incident, I wanted to figure what would be a plausible “effective range” of future military lasers. I dug into Google and started researching. The number of different, and often contradictory answers, I found were … Continue reading →

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Reaction Engines in Space Opera

Posted on December 16, 2019 by

Continuing on in essays about Science Fiction, Momus News wonders: Do reaction engines have a place in Space Opera? Short answer: No. Reaction Engines What are reaction engines? According to Newton’s Third Law, “For every action, there is an equal … Continue reading →

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