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Spiders Beat Butterbugs!

Spiders Beat Butterbugs!

DARKSTAR, the and Gaming Club at UCSD

The monthly events bulletin for Darkstar members, SF fandom, and gamers in greater San Diego

ISSUE NUMBER 6, OCTOBER 2000 Spiders Beat Butterbugs! Wins Hugo To continue (and finish out) last And, oh, by the way, he won a month’s library theme—UCSD last month! graduates turned science fiction captured a authors— turn to local writers Hugo (Best Novel of 1999) in bal- Vernor Vinge and Ray Feist. lots cast by the members of this Vernor Vinge year’s World Science Fiction Con- vention. The award was Vinge’s Vernor Vinge received a Ph.D. second: his previous book, A Fire (Mathematics) from UCSD in Upon the Deep, nabbed the prize 1971, and he went on to teach in 1993. A number of Darkstar math and computer science at members were present in Chi- San Diego State University. Much cago to congratulate him; see the to the delight of his fans, he photos throughout this issue, and recently retired from teaching in also on the Darkstar website. order to concentrate on writing Runners-up for the award Dr. Vinge with Hugo award, and full-time. Mary Q. Smith (both of Darkstar) were, in order: Lois McMaster Bujold’s A Civil Campaign (which Photo by Brendan Dillon co-starred bioengineered butter- bugs); ’s Crypto- nomicon; Greg Bear’s Darwin’s Radio; and J.K. Rowling’s Harry Inside this Issue Potter and of Azkaban. Butterbug Full voting tallies are available at October Calendar ...... 2 Darkstar Events ...... 3 the Chicon 2000 website, Community Events ...... 4 www.chicon.org. Library News ...... 4 Readers familiar with Vinge’s What I Did At Chicon...... 4 work have come to recognize a On the Convention Circuit...... 6 recurring theme of his, that of the Blast from the Past: upcoming technological Singu- Classic Book Reviews ...... 6 Best Novel, 1999 larity. He observes that our About Dark Matters...... 6 present pace of technological Selective Media: advancement isn’t just keeping Genre Media Commentary ...... 7 About Darkstar...... 7 Runner-Up, 1999 Thank You, Volunteers! ...... 8 Continued on page 8.

7 4 . Saturday Open Gaming at Old Student Center North Conference Room, 1:00 p.m. Movies at Irregular Adam’s Elisa & house, 7:00 p.m. Open Gaming at International Center, 1:00 p.m. November Dark Matters deadline Long Gaming at Old Student Center North Conference Room, Noon Halloween Party at Adam’s Elisa & house, 8:00 p.m. Open Gaming at place TBA, 1:00 p.m. various topics. 6 3 131 4 2027 21 28 darkstar.ucsd.edu. You can also sub- You darkstar.ucsd.edu. Fall Festival on the at UCSD Green Library Walk, a.m. to 11:00 4:00 p.m. 2 12 26 Thursday Potluck at Doyle Park (UTC/La Jolla Colony) 7:30 p.m. Dinner at Mandarin Mesa), Garden(Mira 7:30 p.m. Dinner at Mimi’s Café (Mission 7:30 p.m. Valley), Dinner at Troy’s Cuisine Greek (Mission Gorge), 7:30 p.m. Dinner at Souplantation (Kearhy Mesa), 7:30 p.m. 1Nov Wednesday Evening Gaming at International Center, 7:00 p.m. Evening Gaming at International Center, 7:00 p.m. 345 1011 171819 24 25 31 Tuesday 23 Monday Yoga at Old Student Yoga #2, Classroom Center 5:00 p.m. at Old Student Yoga #2, Classroom Center 5:00 p.m. Library Meeting at Leucadia Pizzeria, 6:30 p.m. at Old Student Yoga #2, Classroom Center 5:00 p.m. at Old Student Yoga #2, Classroom Center 5:00 p.m. at Old Student Yoga #2, Classroom Center 5:00 p.m. Darkstar Business Meeting at International Center, 7:00 p.m. 89 1516 22 29 30 1Oct 2 This schedule is prepared in advance, so it’s always a good idea to check our web site for updates at http:// This schedule is prepared and notices of last-minute changes, as well discussion reminders the web site to receive scribe to our mailing list from we feel Darkstar members might enjoy by other organizations events run used to represent save space, the following icons are To Consult the calendar listing for a full description. = convention; event; = bookstore = performance; = Rocky Horror Sunday Sunday Films at International Center, Noon Note: Key: October Calendar

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Darkstar Events • Thu ~ 10/12/2000 ~ Mandarin ent games every month. Contact: Garden, 8242 Mira Mesa Blvd. Elisa Sheets, 858 586 9452. Special Events (in Mira Mesa Mall), San Diego, • Sat ~ 10/28/2000 ~ Long Gam- • Fri ~ 10/6/00 ~ Fall Festival on 858 566 4720. ing Meeting, Noon, Old Student the Green, 11:00 a.m. to • Thu ~ 10/19/2000 ~ Center North Conference 4:00 p.m., UCSD Library Walk. Mimi’s Café (Mission Room, UCSD. Darkstar will have a table at this Valley), 5180 Mission Evening Gaming Meet- annual Student Organization Center Rd., San Diego, ings are held various Information Fair. Stop by and 619 491 0284. Wednesdays from see us! • Thu ~ 10/26/2000 ~ Troy’s 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., at • Sat ~ 10/28/00 ~ Darkstar Hal- Greek Cuisine, 10450 Friars UCSD. Evening parking is loween Party, 8:00 p.m., Elisa, Rd., San Diego, 619 281 7741. $3 at the Information Adam, and Hans’s house, Booth. Special requests are • Thu ~ 11/2/2000 ~ Souplantation 11226 Adriatic Place (Mira welcome. Contacts: Holly (Kearny Mesa), 7095 Claire- Mesa), San Diego. Come party Ourso, [email protected]; mont Mesa Dr. (same strip mall with us! Activities include cre- and John Davis, as Mysterious Galaxy), ating Jack o’ Lantern Totem [email protected]. San Diego, 858 576 0622. Poles, watching movies, play- • Wed ~ 10/11/2000 ~ Evening ing games, and probably some Gaming Meetings Gaming Meeting, 7:00 p.m., surprises. Everyone needs to Open Gaming Meetings are International Center Confer- bring food & beverage to share. held on the first and third Satur- ence Room, UCSD. A main dish will be served. days of the month at 1:00 p.m. at • Wed ~ 10/25/2000 ~ Evening Costumes are highly encour- UCSD. We bring a number of our Gaming Meeting, 7:00 p.m., aged but not required. Carpool- favorite board/strategy games, International Center Confer- ing will be available. Directions but you’re encouraged to bring ence Room, UCSD. will be available later. Dona- your own. Subscribe to the gam- tions to the pumpkin fund are [email protected] mailing list for Movies appreciated. RSVP is required. Michael’s highly amusing • Sat ~ 10/14/2000 ~ Irregular Contact: Elisa Sheets, reminders and other gaming mes- Movie Series, 7:00 p.m. social 858 586 9452. sages. Contact: Michael Powell, hour, 8:00 p.m. movie; Elisa, Social Dinner Meetings 619 593 8035, Adam, and Hans’s house, [email protected]. 11226 Adriatic Place (Mira Come join us for dinner and Mesa), San Diego. Join us for general fannish discussion! • Sat ~ 9/2/2000 ~ Open Gaming movies & talk. Films: The Dinner meetings are held at Meeting, 1:00 p.m., Old Student Andromeda Strain and The 13th 7:30 p.m. every Thursday except Center North Conference Soldier. Bring a holidays. For rides from campus, Room, UCSD. snack to share; meet at 6:45 p.m. at the Darkstar • Sat ~ 9/16/2000 ~ soft drinks are Office at UCSD in the Open Gaming also appreciated. Ché Café Build- Meeting, Contact: Elisa ing. Contact: 1:00 p.m., Inter- Sheets, Marjolijn national Center 858 586 9452. Bekken, Conference Room, 619 232 7819. UCSD. • Sun ~ 10/22/2000 • Thu ~ 10/5/2000 ~ Sunday Film Series,Noon, Long Gaming Meetings are ~ Potluck Dinner at International Center Confer- held the fourth Saturday of Doyle Park, 8175 ence Room, UCSD. We continue the month at noon, at Regents Rd., our serial Radar Men from the UCSD. Here’s the chance to play San Diego, 858 581 7170. Bring Moon (Episodes 1–3 at noon; 4–6 those long-haul games like Civili- a dish to share; we’ll eat in the at 1:00 p.m.). At 2:00 p.m. we zation and Titan; we feature differ- picnic area. will see the classic When Worlds Collide (1951). Show up at

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11:30 a.m. if you’d like to help San Diego County. (See http:// years. (See cover story on Vernor out with setup! Contact: Adam www.crazedimaginations.org/ Vinge.) Tilghman, 858 586 9452. for more information.) Many of you have moved in the Dancing & Yoga • Swing Dance Event ~ Date & last year. You need to update your contact information (e-mail • Regency Dancing is cancelled Time TBA. Contact: Russell Hedges, [email protected] address and phone number) in for October. Contact: Kevin the Darkstar library system. Hay, [email protected]. • Fri ~ 10/13/2000 ~ Alli- Update forms are located in the • Every Mon ~ 10/2, 10/9, 10/16, son Lonsdale, Darkstar office by the 10/23 &10/30/2000 ~ Yoga, 8:00 p.m., Lestat’s library computer. We send 5:00 to 6:15 p.m., Old Student Coffeehouse, 3343 late notices via e-mail, and Center Classroom #2, UCSD. Adams Ave., San call to remind patrons of late Gentle stretching and relax- Diego, 619 282 0437. It’s books (and occasional up- ation. Bring a blanket large Friday the 13th! Time to coming events). pull out all the songs about enough to cover yourself, and • Mon ~ 10/9/2000 ~ Library vampires, serial killers, and wear loose comfortable cloth- Committee Meeting, 6:30 p.m., Jack the Ripper! Dress in mor- ing. Come, and you shall Om Leucadia Pizzeria, 7748 bid attire...or as a famous mur- and Namaste. Contact: Regents Rd. (by Vons), derer. No real weapons, please.. Holly Ourso, San Diego, 858 597 2222. [email protected]. Bookstore Events Monthly planning meeting for Monthly Business Meeting • Fri ~ 10/13/2000 ~ Book Sign- Darkstar ‘s library project; all are welcome. For rides from • Mon ~ 10/30/2000 ~ Darkstar ing, Mysterious Galaxy Book- store, 7051 Clairemont Mesa campus, meet at 6:15 p.m. at Business Meeting, 7:00 p.m., the Darkstar Office, Ché Café International Center Confer- Blvd., San Diego, 858 268 4747. Contact the bookstore for more Building, UCSD. Contact: Elisa ence Room, UCSD. Open Sheets, 858 586 9452. to all members. Meet at information about the visit 6:45 p.m. at the Darkstar by Kevin J. Anderson and We are continuing to label Office, Ché Café Build- Brian Herbert, because series and award winners, and ing, before walking nothing more was avail- we could use your help. If you’re over. Contact: Elisa Sheets, able at press time. interested, please contact the 858 586 9452. Librarian or search the dslib mail- Library News ing list archives (at http:// Library Meeting darkstar.ucsd.edu) for instruc- by ’Lissa Ackerman, Librarian • See “Library News” for details. tions. The next library work party Now that UCSD is back in ses- will be announced via e-mail and sion, Darkstar’s Anne Proud listed on the website when a date Community Events Memorial Library has additional is selected. hours for checkout. The library is Performances open during office hours, library Dark Matters lists these events work parties, or by appointment What I Did At Chicon because Darkstar members and/ with the Librarian. You can by Cathy Mullican or friends thereof are in them, arrange a visit by e-mailing her at When I looked at the program- and/or we think Darkstar mem- [email protected]. ming schedule before the conven- bers would enjoy the show. These Check-out time is four weeks tion, I saw so many interesting are not official Darkstar-spon- with renewals available. panels I wasn’t sure I’d do any- sored events. Each month, our Library Com- thing else—like visit the huck- • Every Fri ~ Rocky Horror & mittee fills the office display shelf sters or the art show. When I got Crazed Imaginations, mid- with books fitting a particular there, I found I could only sit for night, La Paloma Theater, theme. In September and Octo- about two or three panels a day. 471 First St., Encinitas. See ber, we turn our attention to sci- My favorites included: Darkstar’s Kevin “TK” ence fiction and authors “Xenoarcheology Roadshow,” Lindgren in the RHPS cast for who’ve attended UCSD over the ’s reading,

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Jack Chalker’s “tour” through Chalker was using a mobility Of course I managed to get to history, and a panel on scooter. We sat around the table the Dealers’ Room and spend too Daniel Pinkwater. Other panels I and listened to him talk.) much money. My favorite ven- attended included one of the The Daniel Pinkwater panel dors were: many panels on gender/feminist caught my interest because I’ve • Fo’ Paws Productions (http:// issues in SF, a discus- been fond of his books for www.fopaws.com/) has great sion on the role of the a long time. I was in junior fannish t-shirts and other silk- Science Fiction Book high when I came across screened items such as totes. Club in today’s world, The Snarkout Boys and the • Meisha Merlin Press (http:// and one on the myth of Avocado of Death and its www.meishamerlin.com/) fannish tolerance. sequel, The Snarkout Boys features works by such authors Jody Lynn Nye, Nick and the Baconburg Horror in as Jody Lynn Nye and Polotta, and Jack my public library. I was S.P. Somtow. McDevitt were our hooked. esteemed professors of xenoar- But I could find no more in my • Nancy Lebovitz (http:// cheology, and a good time was library. I kept an eye out in book- www.nancybuttons.com) has had by all examining the strange stores, but had little luck. Fortu- an amazing array of buttons relics of 20th century Earth- nately for all, Pinkwater’s YA and does custom work, too. men—is that a lawyer’s spine or a novels have begun to be repub- It wouldn’t be a Worldcon baby ottoman? (If you’ve ever lished in omnibus form, and without great parties: read David Macauley’s Motel of these treasures are once again • Charlotte ran longest and had the Mysteries, you have some idea available. Pinkwater grew up in what xenoarcheology is like. If great barbecue. Everyone fell in Chicago, and many of the bizarre love with Charlotte’s kitty- you haven’t read it, you should; events in his books are, in fact, it’s hilarious.) hawks—small plush cats with things that really happened. wings. They sold out. Terry Pratchett read selections At least, that’s what the panel- from Nanny Ogg’s Cookbook (half ists, who’d all met him at least • Xerps in 2020 and Chernobyl in recipes, half etiquette) and from 3004 had the best decor. his current work-in-progress, The • There was a good B4 in Truth. The room was far too small 2160 party, too. I had for the crowd he drew; luckily, fun, and I’ve never even my other panel ended early, so I seen a full episode of secured a good seat. Given the Babylon 5! popularity of Pratchett’s work, they should’ve put him in a larger • Congenial had a good room. party early in the con; small party, but yummy On the other hand, if you ever cake and they were, think you’re attending a con with indeed, very congenial. problems, find an old-time fan and ask about the 1968 WorldCon • I never made it to in Berkeley—the weekend the Delenn and the Ivanovas at the B4 in 2160 Party Japan’s party (they Berkeley riots broke out. SCA Photo by Brendan Dillon tended to close rela- equipment under trees. Trees full tively early, perhaps of spiders + tear gas = equipment once, told us. Topics of discussion due to time differences full of spiders. Which was minor included favorite books, best between here and there), but it compared to the masquerade. books to start with, the difficulty was crowded and popular. of locating many titles, and the This was only one of the tales of The funniest moment of the difficulty of assembling a com- disaster Jack Chalker told in his Hugo ceremony was when the plete bibliography. (He has also “tour” though WorldCon history. GalaxyQuest guys got so excited written as Manus Pinkwater, (While it was billed as a tour and they left their Hugo on stage. was near the exhibits, Mr. Daniel M. Pinkwater, and other names.)

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The masquerade also featured Don’t try to get all of them in Blast from the Past: some very talented entrants. My one con. Books are heavy. favorite was “The Awakening,” Classic Book Reviews • When the guy running the UK inspired by Tolkien, which won in ‘05 bid table says “That By Christine Needham Best of Class in the Journeyman candy’s filled with whiskey,” “That country where it is division. Susan Eisenhour and he means it. always turning late in the year...” Margaret Blakesley had a won- opens the introduction to Ray • Be early for Pratchett readings. derful tree/Ent costume and a Bradbury’s book, The October Very early. beautifully choreographed awak- Country, a collection of 19 short ening. The funniest entries were For more photos from Chicon, stories, each with a decidedly “Mother-in-Law of Gor” and see Brendan Dillon’s website at eerie theme. “Peace Keepers,” from Fyber- http://ducttape.simplenet.com/ dyne Labs. Although the stories were pub- chicon/. lished between 1943 and 1955, On a sadder note, a lot of recent some of them are still plenty pro and fan deaths were On the Convention scary by today’s standards. One annouced, including specific example is “The Man ’s son Circuit... Upstairs,” which tells of boarding (Charlie Ben, the one by Adam Tilghman house with a new tenant who with CP). For details on • Fri 11/24/2000 to Sun 11/ sleeps all day and “works” only the others, see the Chicon at night. daily newsletters or your usual 26/2000 ~ LosCon XXVII. genre news outlets. LosCon returns over the While the stories in this collec- Thanksgiving holiday for tion still endure, they reflect the Finally, some lessons learned: another appearance at the Bur- time in which they were written, • No matter how many authors bank Airport Hilton. Darkstar or the 1920s and 1930s, the time of will be at the con, pick one or has rented a suite for a party at Bradbury’s boyhood. For exam- two you want to sign things. Loscon. Contact Adam Tilgh- ple, “The Scythe” and “Home- man at [email protected] if you’d coming” emphasize farming as About Dark Matters... like to help. Orson Scott Card the norm, in a way that few sto- Dark Matters is the monthly (of Ender saga fame) will ries do now. newsletter of Darkstar, the attend as Guest of Honor. In the stories set in Science Fiction and Gaming club Rates are $40 through 10/ the city, the reader gets at UCSD. It is distributed at the 31/2000 for the whole a definite sense of the club’s monthly business weekend and $45 at “newness” of big city meetings, at other club events, life. It’s difficult to explain. and by mail if requested. It’s also the door. See http:// www.lasfs.org/ It’s kind of like listening on our website in PDF format. to an old recording of clas- Publisher: Adam Tilghman loscon/27/ for more information. sic blues. The “tinny” Editor: Kat Hedges You can also find sound of the instruments Contributors: info about rides and the scratch of the record ‘Lissa Ackerman, John Davis, (even if it’s been digitally remas- Brendan Dillon, Bob Evans, and crash space on the tered) evoke a sense of the time Cathy Mullican, and when they were made. Christine Needham scifi@mib.org mailing list. Perhaps the best reason to read Submissions should be sent to For a comprehensive list of this book now, besides the Octo- [email protected]. Southern California conventions, ber tie-in, is that it’s a collection of Direct any postal mail to Dark see Jim Hay’s website at http:// Matters short stories. Yes, that’s right, if c/o Darkstar, Box 0077 www.geocities.com/Area51/ C-46 / La Jolla, CA/ 92093-0077. you’re thinking “Well, summer’s Lair/7813/CONVENTN.html. over, it’ll be nothing but text- ©2000 Darkstar. Contact us at Whether you’re looking for gam- [email protected] to books until winter break,” need ing, media, furries, filking, you’ll arrange permission to reprint. not fear. Most of these stories can find your convention there.. be enjoyed in half an hour or less.

6 About Darkstar... Darkstar is a regional science fiction and gaming club based at UC San Diego. Since our founding in 1978 we’ve become one of the area’s largest organized fan societies. Membership in Darkstar is open to everyone; you don’t have to be affiliated with the University to join! Our Thursday social meetings convene at a different restaurant each week, and discussion typically covers science fiction, technology, religion, politics, and everything in-between. Other meetings and events include near-weekly Saturday board & strategy gaming; bad (good!) 1950s B-movies; trips to conventions, Renaissance faires, observatories, museums, speakers, etc.; library work parties; and a monthly formal business meeting. Most of our gatherings take place in UCSD’s abundant meeting facilities, and campus parking is free on weekends. Our library currently houses over 4500 genre books and magazines, and circulation is open to all club members. Stop by our office on the UCSD campus and check it out! So, how do you join? Simply show up at a meeting or event and notify an officer of your desire to become a member. We charge no dues! For more information, see our web site at http://darkstar.ucsd.edu/; drop by our office and library in the Ché Café building, UCSD campus (check hours on web site); call us at 858 534 7491; send us e-mail at [email protected]; or direct your postal mail to “Darkstar / Box 0077 C-46 / La Jolla, CA / 92093-0077.” Telepathic requests for information will be silently ignored.

You can continue your pleasure- whatever strikes my interest that and the Hugos, he cautioned the reading pastime without causing month in genre films. members about getting what they serious sleep loss. Although I attended Chicon, I wished for. He warned that the In short, it’s both timeless and don’t have much to report. My flare of Hollywood lights could timely. personal opinion was that the spoil the very special thing he programming was substandard saw in the Worldcon. I believe he for a Worldcon, and this extended is right. I would hate to see E! at Selective Media: into the media departments as the Worldcon. This enclave is spe- Genre Media well. (That’s not to say I didn’t cial and should be kept that way. have fun, but I’ve been to better There was a screening of an Commentary .) indie film titled The Storm set on a by Bob Evans The best media-related pro- research base on Titan. Sadly, due Welcome to my first “Selective gramming I saw there was a Q&A to a last minute schedule change I Media” column. I’ve been invited session with Robert Gordon, the was unable to see this. I arrived at to write about genre films and writer of this year’s Hugo-win- the original time, and saw that media for Dark Matters. First, I’m ning GalaxyQuest. It was a pleas- the film was in the final act. Not honored and pleased to be asked. ant change of events to have both wishing to spoil it, I walked away I hope my opinions are helpful the writer and director of the muttering curses at the con staff, and informative. Hugo-winning film present at the not for the first or the last time. Second, I’m leaving reviews of convention. I’d like to comment on the current films to others. What I The most interesting fact I growing trend in indie films for plan to do is write about the inter- learned from the Q&A was that genre-related material. Pi, Cube, section of Science Fiction, Fan- Mr. Gordon does not attend con- and The Storm are indicators, I tasy, and Horror with TV and ventions regularly. He visited a think, of a coming wave of genre film. Sometimes these columns few Star Trek conventions in films on a limited budget. As the may be rants about what drives researching the film, but ChiCon capabilities of digital cameras me crazy (like hearing the term was his first taste of Fan-run con- and editing systems grow, I think “life-force” in a science fiction ventions. But his comments we’ll see a re-birth of fast, cheap context), sometimes it will be dis- implied it’s not his last. genre films. In accordance with Sturgeon’s law, 90% will be cussions of under-rated or over- When asked if he would tell rated films of the past--in short, Hollywood about the Worldcon

7 crap—but a few will be dia- detailed discussion of these tran- monds. scendent races—after all, how Thank You, I’m including my email address well can a brilliant, but human, Volunteers! here ([email protected]) author describe the workings of I’d like to show my belated because I want your comments superhuman minds?—and appreciation to Tyler Gelson on my column. Let me know instead chooses to tell the tale and Cassandra Pierce, for what you like and don’t like. I from the perspective of the their work in copyediting and may not agree with you, but I’ll humans and human-like crea- fact-checking last month’s consider it. tures. Tricky, eh? Dark Matters. A Deepness in the Sky takes places about thirty thousand "Spiders Beat Butterbugs!” years before the events in continued from page 1. Fire,and within a civilization far display shelf. Look for Vinge’s removed from the tidal flows of 1987 short story collection, True steady, but is in fact accelerating! galactic racial transcendence. Names and Other Dangers, and He predicts that sometimein the read a few more stories while But Vinge nevertheless man- next 50 years, our science will you’re there! ages to explore the notion of the become so advanced that we’ll Singularity, this time from the scarcely recognize our children Ray Feist other direction: what would (or ourselves) as human. And to finish out our tour of happen if there were an absolute Vinge’s UCSD-alum authors, we turn to ceiling on technology? What if Ray Feist, who graduated from (1993) is set in a universe where intelligence augmentation, faster technological transcendence is UCSD in 1977 with a BA (Com- than light travel, and the like munications). He continues to the norm: civilizations are con- were impossible? stantly on the reside in San Diego County with Would humanity his family. wax and wane, be doomed to and are often as stagnation, or On the shelf this month is the not consumed could we work first of Feist’s “Riftwar Saga” by their newly past this limita- books, Magician: Apprentice.This powerful sci- tion? book is the tale of the orphan Pug, ence. Occasion- whose strange sort of magic gets Finally, Vinge’s ally, however, him mixed up in the eternal battle 1981 novella "True one survives between Order and Chaos. Names" is widely into the next Unsubstantiated rumor says this recognized as the level of exist- series is set in a game world he seminal work of ence. (God- created while an undergrad at the hood? Who UCSD; read the books and decide genre, even ahead knows.) In Fire, for yourself! of William Gib- circumstances son’s . That’s it for this month! In force the Vinge’s novella November, we’ll look at books younger and illustrates how about colonization and exploita- older races, issues of self, iden- tion of native civilizations—just despite their Dr. V.V. Lurquesalot, Babysitter for tity, and account- in time for Thanksgiving! vastly diverg- the Sherkaner Underwood ability can ing world Research Laboratory Instittute converge when views and (SURLI), with . real-world con- mutually Photo by Brendan Dillon flicts intrude on the inscrutable electronic realm. motivations, to The story is due to be reprinted in join together and fight an ancient an essay anthology covering the galaxy-destroying evil. In typical modern cyberspace frontier, but Vinge fashion, he side-steps a you can find it on our library’s

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