ne of the biggest revolutions in SF was spawned by—who else?—Robert Heinlein, when he created the notion of a "future history" in which he could set many of his stories. This notion—that individual tales could be envisioned as orderly elements of a common timeline—had the effect of lending Heinlein's works a majesty and power that scattered, unlinked stories could never achieve. The self-reference and interplay of shared characters, events and places—a feature that in comic books would come to be known as "continuity"—engendered in the reader an overwhelming sense of realism. These were not just fictions, but authentic snippets from some future textbook. Heinlein's graph of events, included with every volume of his future history, confirmed this radical notion.
Even earlier, of course, in the horror field, H.P. Lovecraft used similar techniques to lend his Cthulhu Mythos some of the same authoritative punch. Since the days when HPL and RAH first pioneered these methodologies, the science fiction, fantasy and horror genres have come to accept such "timelines" as de rigueur. And mainstream fiction benefits from such timelines as well: consider William Faulkner's Yoknapatawpha County, for one.
Now, Edgar Governo, Historian of Things That Never Were, has assembled a massive concordance of more than 300 online chronologies, making for an absolutely fascinating site. Divided into "Television," "Movies," "Books," "Games" and "Comics," Governo's links direct the visitor to such charts as those for Star Trek, Doctor Who, Star Wars, The Godfather, Dune, Discworld, Super Mario Brothers, Final Fantasy and the entire DC and Marvel universes. The timelines vary in quality and completeness, depending on the abilities of their fannish authors, but Governo gives fair and unbiased comments on their worth. I found only a few broken links, and in general was astonished at how well Governo has organized and maintained this information. Don't let more of your own future pass without visiting this site.
— Paul Di Filippo
Site of the Week—March 8, 2004
reated by scientists and writers like Isaac Asimov, Carl Sagan and James Randi, CSICOP has as its mission the stringent investigation of paranormal and fringe-science claims. This committee then publishes its findings far and wide, spreading the results of their research to the scientific community and the public alike. Well-known as the force behind the infamous magazine Skeptical Inquirer, this organization also maintains a informative and matter-of-fact Web site.
The CSICOP site maintains a calendar of "Events for Skeptics," an announcements e-list and a small gift shop of skeptic-themed novelty items. Feature sections like "Chain Letters Anonymous" and "Hoaxwatch" alert visitors to scam artists, bogus biohazards and emerging urban myths of a paranormal nature. For readers who cannot get enough scientific examination of unexplained phenomena, the annotated "SKEPTIC Bibliography" offers an extensive database of resources.
This Web page also provides an archive of selected articles from back issues of the Skeptical Inquirer, covering topics from anti-vaccination activism to the haunted house known as the Amityville Horror. Its columns have up-to-date commentary on current events—the
teaching of evolution in schools, spiritualists, firewalking and the Larry King Show's recent tendency to spotlight psychics.
With outstanding reading and a deep commitment to finding the truth, CSICOP offers Web surfers nothing less than a reality check—one that will never bounce.
— A.M. Dellamonica
Site of the Week—March 1, 2004
his comprehensive guide to the intricate world of science-fiction conventions can be a boon to anyone heading to their first con, covering everything from the lingo used by fans to tips on the best way to strike up a satisfying conversation when, after months of anticipation, reader comes face to face with their favorite artists or authors.
Text-heavy and strongly favoring function over flair in its approach to Web design, the SF Con Survival Kit for Neofans is built around a series of essays on the nature of SF cons and how to enjoy them safely. Topics include the nature of conventions, the reasoning behind weapons policies, ways to avoid alcohol poisoning and warnings to help readers avoid sex-related mishaps. The advice on offer is commonsense and reliable (though some readers may take issue with lesser details like the conservative one-list-fits-all packing suggestions for men and women, or the author's opinions on body size and costuming). The Web page delivers on the promise of its name, in other words, serving up a list of dos and don'ts that can guide a neofan through a first convention both safely and with maximized chances fun.
Naturally, much of what is on this site will seem self-evident to experienced con-goers, but a browse through the Survival Guide can still yield useful information: guidelines on panel creation, etiquette reminders, notes on the benefits of volunteering and insightful don't-forgets for costumers. At the same time, the SF Con Survival Guide knows better than to try being all things to all visitors. Rather than tackle larger con-related topics that don't bear specifically on having a successful first-convention experience, it refers visitors outward—to a filking webring, an SCA family called the Great Dark Horde, a list of conventions and an SF webzine.
As introductions to the world of SF fandom go, the Survival Guide is one of the best: gentle but honest, and capable of making even a newcomer seem like a savvy veteran.
— A.M. Dellamonica
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