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io9
This “40 Years Of ILM” Video Shows Just How Far We’ve Come
Industrial Light and Magic has a proud heritage stretching back to the original Star Wars. And to celebrate, they’ve put together a one-minute video that sums up 40 years of visual effects wizardry. How many of these movies can you name? Want even more VFX wizardry? Here’s a brilliant 1984 NOVA episode focusing on “The … Continued
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Tech News
Spock’s Home Office Would Include This USS Enterprise Desk and Chair
Adam Savage recently built his own flawless replica of Kirk’s captain’s chair, but the talented designers behind Super-Fan Builds have taken that idea to the next level by turning the entire USS Enterprise into a glowing computer desk and office chair that looks ready to hit warp nine. The most recent episode of the web … Continued
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io9
Scotland Yard Worried That Star Trek Would Cause a Doomsday Cult
New documents obtained under a Freedom of Information Act request show that Scotland Yard kept a secret dossier on various science fiction shows and movies out of a fear that they would cause rioting and cyber attacks. On the list of worrying imports were Star Trek, The X-Files, Roswell, Dark Skies, and Lawnmower Man. We’ll … Continued
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io9Movies
Simon Pegg Worries The Love Of Science Fiction Is Making Us “Childish”
In a new interview with the Radio Times, Simon Pegg says that the genre that he’s spent pretty much his entire career celebrating could actually be causing society to become “infantilized.” And he might want to “retire from geekdom.” Is he trolling, or has he really gotten so little out of years of science fiction? … Continued
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io9
Watch Adam Savage Build A Perfect Replica Of Kirk’s Chair From Star Trek
When Adam Savage ordered a replica of Captain Kirk’s Star Trek chair off eBay, he found it to be “totally sad and not accurate.” What’s a fanboy who also happens to be capable of building practically anything to do? Watch the (long, but entertaining and Shatner-approved) video below to find out. Spoiler alert: Tribbles. [Via … Continued
By Cheryl Eddy -
Tech News
Watch Adam Savage Build the Ultimate Star Trek Captain’s Chair
Admit it: you’ve looked longingly at Captain Kirk’s bulky but oddly attractive leather chair and thought “yes, I need that in my life.” It’s okay. We all have. Even Adam Savage. Especially Adam Savage. Savage didn’t seek his mission to build the ultimate Star Trek command seat—it was thrust upon him. About a year ago, … Continued
By Sean Buckley -
io9Books & Comics
The 12 Deadliest Living Weapons Ever Created
What makes a living weapon? Well, first of all, living, obviously. But like normal weapons, living weapons are designed solely to hurt and kill others. They aren’t soldiers, who can take a variety of orders, or assassins, who may choose to kill in secret. Living weapons use their powers for one reason: destroying their targets. … Continued
By Rob Bricken -
io9Movies
See The Best Star Wars Vs. Star Trek Movie 1985 Never Made
I know you can’t swing a dead cat GIF on the internet without hitting some kind of Star Wars/Star Trek mash-up. But still, I highly recommend you take 80 seconds of your life to watch this trailer for The Carbonite Maneuver, which is not only exceedingly well done but actually looks… well, kind of real. … Continued
By Rob Bricken -
io9
RIP Grace Lee Whitney, Star Trek‘s Yeoman Janice Rand
Grace Lee Whitney, instantly recognizable as Yeoman Janice Rand from the original Star Trek, has passed away at the age of 85. Whitney died in her home in Coarsegold, California, her son, Jonathan Dweck, confirmed on Sunday. Despite only appearing in eight episodes of the original series, Whitney officially reprised her role in Star Trek: … Continued
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io9Movies
Star Trek 3 Will Be Titled Star Trek Beyond
Well, according to TrekMovie.com, who admittedly has a pretty good track record with Trek movie rumors. The title matches the volume-number-less installment of Star Trek Into Darkness, but seems to confirms the new Enterprise crew will finally be going on its five-year mission to explore strange new worlds, etc. This fits with what Simon Pegg, … Continued
By Rob Bricken -
io9Television
Side-Splitting Bloopers From Our Favourite Science Fiction Series
You don’t realize how much work goes into creating the greatest science fiction and fantasy series until you see all the mistakes that were made along the way. Blooper reels are a hilarious, brilliant way to celebrate the artistry of making great stories. Here are some of our favorites. Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987-1994) … Continued
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io9Movies
Which Science Fiction Story Could Have Gone In A Much Darker Direction?
Lots of science fiction and fantasy stories like to flirt with real darkness — showing heroes who cross the line occasionally, or situations that have no right or wrong answer. But then they usually return to the path of lightness. Which story missed out on the potential to go to a really dark place? Please … Continued
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io9Movies
From Metropolis To Ex Machina: Why Are So Many Robots Female?
The new movie Ex Machina has been pushing people’s buttons. It features a seemingly vulnerable robot named Ava, who’s as beautiful as she is mysterious. But Ava’s just the latest in a long line of artificial seductresses, girlfriends and mothers. Why are so many thinking machines female? Top image: All is Full of Love by … Continued
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io9
Is There A Mirror Universe?
Could there be a mirror universe, where everything is backwards – and everybody has goatees? How badly do you need to bend the laws of physics to make this happen? One of the great mysteries in cosmology is why the Universe is mostly matter and not antimatter. (If you want to learn more about that … Continued
Fraser Cain – Universe Today -
io9Movies
7 TV Episodes That Resolved Age-Old Philosophical Questions
Philosophers, scientists and metaphysicians have spent thousands of years trying to untangle the mysteries of human existence. Questions like “nature vs. nurture,” or “fate vs. free will” have no easy answer — unless you watch television, that is. Here are 7 TV episodes that sorted out questions that the great minds couldn’t resolve. 1) “Mirror, … Continued
By Diana Biller -
io9
Star Trek Cosplay Afoot Aboard The International Space Station
Universe Today offers some context for this rather awesome photo: Following the flawless blastoff of the SpaceX Falcon 9 booster and Dragon cargo ship on Tuesday, April 14, the resupply vessel arrived at the International Space Station April 17, and was successful snared by the outpost’s resident Star Trek crewmate, Expedition 43 Flight Engineer Samantha … Continued
By Cheryl Eddy -
io9
Great Science Fiction Stories That Can Help You Make Sense Of Economics
We all know that economists love science fiction — especially Isaac Asimov fan Paul Krugman. But science fiction and fantasy can also help teach ordinary people about the Dismal Science. Here are 22 great science fiction and fantasy stories that can help you make sense of economics. Top image: Making Money by Terry Pratchett The … Continued
By Diana Biller -
io9
We’re Living In The Golden Age Of Star Trek Webseries Right Now
You probably already knew this, if you’re a Star Trek fan. But it’s really true. YouTube is just bursting with original Star Trek content lately, from damn near spot-on recreations of the Original Series to continuations of the TNG/DS9/Voyager era. This is the golden age of Star Trek web productions. Top image: Star Trek Continues. … Continued
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io9
io9 March Madness Championship Round: Star Wars vs. Star Trek!
In a way this was inevitable, wasn’t it? As we moved closer and closer to the finals, it became clear that everything else was just distractions from another chapter in a debate that’s raged for decades: Star Wars vs. Star Trek. Top image and bracket by Jim Cooke Look, y’all can be honest with me. … Continued