The Silk and the Song

If you didn't comment verbally in class or respond in a Google Doc, please write about the story "The Silk and the Song" here.

Alien Planet Project Work

Please write a brief post for each day you work on the Alien Planet Project in class. Focus on your contributions to your group: ideas, leadership, products.

Puppet Show

Post any additional comments about the story "Puppet Show" here. You might discuss the implications of the two "tests" that the aliens give the earth people. Did we pass the tests? What does this imply about us? What is the story's conclusion about xenophobia?

"Repent, Harlequin!" said the Ticktockman

Post your comments about Harlan Ellison's story "'Repent, Harlequin!' said the Ticktockman" here. You might address the story's extrapolations (likely? reasonable?) or style, or compare it to other "rebels of the future" films or stories you are aware of.

The Post-Mortem People

We read "The Post-Mortem People" by Peter Tate in class on February 1 and 3. Please comment about the story here. Some questions you might address:

• Considering that the story was written in 1966, were the author's extrapolations reasonable or accurate

• In the story, Anton Hejar argues that he performs a "service" in a world where standards have changed, that the benefits to the living outweigh the disservice to the dead and their loved ones. What do you think of his argument?

• Like many SF stories, "The Post-Mortem People" explores the ethical issues created by advancing technology. What are some similar ethical issues raised by the real-world technology of 2010?

Schools of the Future

Now that you have heard your classmates' ideas about the schools of 2050, please post a response here. Which extrapolations seem the most likely to come true? What was the most interesting idea you heard? Overall, which seemed to be the most prevalent ideas?

Sales Pitch

If you have additional comments about the Philip K. Dick story "Sales Pitch," which we read in class no January 25 and 27, post them here. You might try to make connections between your pet commercial peeves and the author's extrapolations.