Friday, June 21, 2013

SFR Bridage 2nd Annual Midsummer Blog Hop

Whoot, that time of year again! It is the... *drum roll*


Fanfare, confetti, G-class star explosions... you know, the works. The theme is "Out of this World" so let's launch right to it.

I'm going to talk about our need to make the environment suit us, which I believe is the key barrier to space colonization progress. Since the dawn of man -- enter 2001 Space Odyssey soundtrack now -- we've had this unwavering notion that we mold our surroundings, which is cool to a point. It did bring the birth of civilization as we know it.

Space is not such an easy cookie. Right now it's a tempting lure, which will turn out to be a harsh mistress. There is no way we will be able to change the solar system (or galaxy if we think that grandiose) to suit us. No, we will have to change ourselves to meet it. And it'll be done 1 or 2 ways: naturally or unnaturally. Naturally will just take FOREVER. Unnaturally currently goes against the grain of socially accepted norms.

However, our physical characteristics have changed anyways. Only, the change has been to suit the modern world we've created instead of the Earth's natural environment. We've grown taller, our brain size has increased, and even our body shapes have altered. (Weird, huh?)

So maybe once we accept the changes we will have to make to ourselves, our bodies will kick start a natural process to continue that change.

This is one of the driving themes for the Interstellar Intelligence Agency series I've been working on. In the first book, Case of the Senshi Pearl, rookie Agent Raina Tanuki goes to a planet where three human species try to coexist. Two of the species have genetically modified their forms to fit in the foreign planet's environment. Below is a short excerpt describing the underwater human species, the Homo Sirenian:

Prince Yuvaraja could've been a younger version of his father. Blue skin accentuated the muscles on his bare torso and blended well into his fin, which started at his lower hip with a darker blue. It darkened to a purple with streaks of bold green and red along the sides from his hip to his fin tip. Bright copper-colored eyes danced as he smiled, first at his guard detail and then at her. Movement caused his dark rusty mane to stir in the open air.
If you're interested in the book, here is the link to Amazon and BN. However, commenters on my post enter to win Case of the Senshi Pearl in electronic format.

"But that's not all!" *clears throat*

You also can enter to win one of the following grand prizes by entering through rafflecopter below:
a Rafflecopter giveaway
And don't forget to stop by the other blog hop participants:

47 comments:

  1. I'm going to totally flaunt my nerd factor with that 2001 Space Odyssey reference: Thus Spake Zarathustra by Richard Strauss for the monolith scene :-). I'm intrigued by the whole question of evolutionary forces at work in space. It's interesting to think about what changes might take place.

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    1. IT's very fascinating, especially with all the genetic studies and stem cells research happening right now. Already the tides have changed about stem cell research, and genetic cloning and manipulation has become a little (stress little) less taboo.

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  2. Thanks so much for the opportunity!
    farmaki(at)live(dot)com

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    1. No problem and good luck! Make sure to enter through rafflecopter for the grand prize too.

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  3. Great Post!
    Thanks for the great giveaway!
    tl.etheridge31(at)gmail(dot)com

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  4. Enjoyed your post. jonesjnd(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  5. I enjoyed your thoughtful approach to the hop's topic. Thanks!

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    1. Oh, thanks eahoornart! And thank you for stopping by the post.

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  6. Well said, A.R.! I do think if we take to the stars, humans will need to adapt for long-term space travel - whatever form that eventually takes. We may not recognize ourselves in a few thousand years ;)

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  7. Thanks for the post and the giveaway. I would to read about your Interstellar Intelligence Agency. sounds intriguing. evamillien at gmail dot com.

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  8. Sounds interesting, the concept of the divergence amongst humans as they genetically modify themselves. Thank you for sharing and thanks for the giveaway.

    elewkf1 at yahoo dot com

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    1. Thank you! The research behind that part of the story was fun. I loved developing the difference between human races and human species.

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  9. Interesting post! I love these blog hops. Thanks for the giveaway! cheryllynne(at)rocketmail(dot)com

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  10. When your site loaded on my computer, the first thing that came up was the planet backdrop - spectacular. Thanks for the giveaway.
    a dot charol at yahoo dot ca

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    1. Thanks Carol, I love the background too. Every once in a while I think about changing it but can't fine anything else I like as much.

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  11. Thanks for the amazing giveaway!
    elizabeth @ bookattict . com

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  12. I like sci fi and crime stories soooooo I think the Case of the Senshi Pearl sounds perfect for Liza2write@yahoo.com

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    1. I'm glad you like the concept, and I hope the actual read meets your expectations!

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  13. You ask an interesting question, that we deal with often on earth. Specifically how we deal with nature--do we make it adapt to us, or do we adapt to it. In the end its a dance, and both occur. It would be no surprise that we'll have to deal with those questions in space. Great post. Sounds like a great book.

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    1. I don't envy them, that's for sure. This path to human expansion could easily become a slippery slope. Where is the line? Or is there a line? Will it be restricted to just just what necessitates Homo Sapien survival for that planet or will it become a cosmetic fad? If we have the technological capabilities, are we even allowed to restrict the right to those who want to modify themselves outside of planetary survival? Ooh, what if a descendant of the changes humans hadn't wanted to be that way? Did we have a right to change the way future off spring look? Very interesting challenges, and again, ones I don't envy them.

      Thanks for commenting!

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  14. ooh. crime ad sci-fi? yes, please!
    snyderyan16gmail.com

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    1. LOL, glad you like the premise, and hope you like the book.

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  15. I love the idea of adapting ourselves to deal with alien planets - Neal Asher uses that a lot in his books, and I love the differing types. Maybe those brave enough to want to explore deep space will be more willing to undergo the changes, leaving the old fashioned, old style humans back on Earth.

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    1. That is a fascinating idea Pippa. Could you imagine if this did happen? It could end up being a little like The Time Machine in the sense of creating two completely difference species. Wouldn't it be interesting if the instellar travelers returned to find that so much time had passed that Earth had forgotten about them? Now, Earth residents see them as the "arriving aliens"? I have GOT to do this as a segment of Brainstorming Thursday!

      (Little side note: I haven't read enough of Neal Asher, only his book Brass Man, which in my seemingly unwavering habit was a book in the middle of some series. If I remember right, I was a little lost. It was good, though. I should follow up with his other works. Thanks for the unintentional recommendation.)

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  16. Hello all, just a reminder for those wanting an electronic copy of the book Case of the Senshi Pearl, make sure you put your email address in with your comment. Use the parenthesis method: (dot) (at), etc.

    I'm going to be sending out notices on the 26th. Be there or be square!

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  17. Really enjoyed reading your post.
    Thanks for the giveaway.
    skpetal at hotmail dot com

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    1. Glad you liked it, thank you for stopping by and good luck!

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  18. I'm fascinated by the ways in which humans will have to adapt to space travel and alien worlds. It sounds like you are too!

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    1. Oh I am, I geek out on it all the tiime (to the dispair of my family, LOL).

      Heehee, this is one of the reasons the Brigaders group is so awesome, you get to share your weirdness with likeminded weirdos!

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  19. Nice excerpt

    bn100candg at hotmail dot com

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    1. Thank you! Glad you liked it and good luck!

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  20. Fascinating post, A.R. Man, you have all kinds of story ideas swirling in my head! I still think (humans being human) we'll continue you battle to have other places conform to what we need (or want) but I think you're right, success will be about us adapting.

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    1. I'm glad I peaked your writerly side! I wish I could be there to watch that struggle as humankind fights with the universal elements. It'll definitely be a humbling experience. I mean, it's not like learning how to grow corn instead of wheat.

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  21. I love the idea of us having to 'evolve' either naturally or unnaturally. Sounds like a fascinating book.

    As a fellow brigader, please leave me out of the draw, just dropping in to say hi!

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    1. Thanks Rinelle. This has been a great blog hop. I really liked your post on the similarity between fantasy and sf. It explains why so many fantasy readers also ready sf and vice versa. I think any good fantasy or sf book (or any book in general IMO) has to have that element of love. Maybe not full romance but love and human connection.

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  22. I am having so much fun on this blog hop meeting new authors. Love the sound of your book. It has my three favorite genres, SF, mystery and romance all rolled into one. If I don't win, I hope I win a gift card elsewhere because I'm gonna need to get this book :-)
    kathleenmcg6 at gmail dot com

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    1. It has been a really fun hop. This is the second one and I hope we continue with it. I'm glad you like the book and good luck!

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  23. Hi! Awesome post! Your book sounds great!! Loving this hop! So many awesome authors! :) Thank you! Have a great day!
    shadowluvs2read(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. Thanks! There are some fantastic authors in this blog hop and I'm always so honored to be a member of the group.

      Good luck!

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