Fantasist's Scroll

Affirmitive action in comic books?

Okay, I guess I see their point regarding the lack of minorities in comics, but it seems like people spend way too much time thinking about this stuff. But, according to this article on Wired News, it’s a big deal to some folks. I have to admit, the hyper-sexualized women get to be a little much sometimes. I mean, c’mon, don’t these guys get out at all? When was the last time they saw a real, flesh-and-blood woman?
And, where are all the Asian heroes? Afterall, there are a lot more Asian people than there are Caucasian. It’s changing, but very slowly. Look at how long it took to get realistic Black heroes in the comic books. And, even then, they still tend toward stereotypes.
Well, let’s hope the anime craze will help change that some. Maybe the Asian animators will feature more Asian characters. Only time will tell.

Okay, now it depends on how they do it.

According to this article on The New York Times, Amazon is going to be expanding their “Look Inside The Book” program to include more readable text and a search engine. It’s the search engine part that really gets me. Now, I can search books that I haven’t bought to see if they have what I’m looking for or not! What a great idea. Now, I don’t have to blindly buy books from Amazon, hoping that they’re as on topic as they look. I have to admit, that’s burned me at least twice before.
Anyway, I guess this is why Amazon got on top of the on-line book market, and seems to stay there.

Okay, this is just too cool.

This article from the Guardian talks about the scientists in Taiwan who created genetically modified zebra fish that glow. Apparently, they’ve found a way to incorporate glowing jellyfish genes into these fish and have them breed true. They’re working on more glowing species.
Several groups have spoken out against this, but I think it’s cool. Okay, sure, we’re tampering with genetics and life and no one knows where it will all go and what all the ramifications are. But, if we don’t do a little experimentation, how will we ever know what the ramifications might be? Besides, think of all the science-fiction plots that will be spawned (pardon the pun) by this!

Can you make money at a hobby?

Well, that’s an interesting question which I hope to answer in the next year or two. I’d like to see my terrible mapping habit pay for itself somehow. Oh, I did a couple of maps for a game company, but they didn’t offer much and the project is on hold, so I’m not getting paid. I’d like to find a way to make maps myself and sell them off my website. Is it feasable? Is it worth the effort? I don’t know. And, if I never try, I’ll never know, so try I will. Eventually.
If I could just get my butt in gear, I might turn out a story or two that I could sell. Of course, to make my writing hobby pay for itself, I’d have to churn out a few novels. Between the hundreds of books I’ve read on writing and the software and the computer hardware, I can’t count how much money I’ve spent on writing! But, I’d be happy with enough money to pay for my Writer’s Digest subscription, a subscription to Locus, and dues for the SFWA. That’s not a lot of money, but it’s not chump-change in the writing arena, either.
And, finally, I’d like my terrible addiction to role-playing games to pay for itself, too. Maybe I could write some nice adventures and sell them. Dungeon Masters always need new adventures. And, I used to be fairly good at original, themed adventures….. Well, the idea has merit, but who knows if anyone will actually pay money for my work? Only one way to find out, I guess.

All of which leads me to say, “stay tuned”! Who knows what lies on the horizion when I set sail on the ship of crude mercantilism!?