[Q&A+] Concerns About China, Book to a Movie, Space Set SciFi | Q&A 339

Hey Fraser check out the book series by Greg Bear called War Dogs. I personally enjoyed it a lot! It's about an Alien Race called The Guru's that have run across the Galaxy and hid on Earth. After awhile they revealed themselves and give the world tons of Gifts. But once we accepted these gifts they dropped the payment. They are running from a very violent destructive Race of Aliens that has been chasing their race across space and now the Alien Race is building a Military Front on Mars to prepare for an invasion of Earth. The Story takes place with a Solider Master Sergeant Michael Venn on his last mission rotation on Mars that doesn't go well. Their drop ship is taken out and luckily he and some of his squad survive. Once they land on Mars the war doesn't even take 1st priority. As the main character has no weapon, and just the oxygen in his suit. No refills, no supply drops etc. So the 1st part he is trying to find a supply drop, or one of these inflatable small habitats for about 8 people that has it's own oxygen supply etc. During the book he ends up meeting a Muskie that helps him by taking him to one of the Mines the Muskies are currently killing each other for to survive on Mars. As they have split off into other factions along with other Companies that have sent colonizes to Mars trying to start its own new Civilization in the view of the leader. These different Colonies have different views and want to destroy the others, take their resources and to survive. Its interesting to see how no matter what threat seems to arise from where ever in the Universe. Humans are still really good at killing each other when we should be coming together. Anyway, the Muskies are fun to read about explaining how they left Earth in the 2030s and setup shop, Etc. They have been away from Earth for awhile and have created there own slang version of English. It is kind of hard to read sometimes but its neat the Author took the time to basically write a Martian version of English. There is lots of Planetary Environment descriptions and explaining that really get you imagining being a Solider on Mars fighting and trying to survive alone would be like. Another great part is it uses realistic Science ideas to create threats and cause terror without using Brain Dead Characters to make the story work. Sadly I see this a lot in movies and TV Shows lately. The writers are so lazy to think up anything interesting instead they just make everyone in the story 100% Brain dead. So if you want a fun read check the War Dogs out and let me know what you think. I wish they would stop Superhero and Star war spin-offs as well and even make War Dogs into a show or movie. Would be awesome, and I would love to see the awesome Energy Weapons the Guru's taught Humanity to make in the book. Also, The Second book in the 2 Part Series is called "Killing Titan" which takes place on Saturn's Moon of Titan. I don't have it yet, but I am excited to read that one next.

China, Maybe there drive will light a fire in.... and there great people of USA can get funding back. Sending good thoughts to all who work towards not just space exploration but all the developments for us here on earth.

China. Great drive to explore. I'll start with the obvious. Of cource they want to be first, why wouldn't they want to be the strongest.... Hate to put this out there but the USA did the same.

I have a Chinese TV recommendation for you Fraser: Legend of the Condor Heroes. Maybe considered the best work of the best author (Louis Cha) of a wonderful genre called Wuxia. It’s been adapted to TV many times over the years. Some caveats though: might be hard to find. I watched the 2003 adaptation via sketchy YouTube bootlegs (which speaks to the story being so good that I was hooked; I went in just to see what my Taiwanese coworker was talking about). I think most or all adaptations are in Mandarin. The dramatic nature of the story could be very hit or miss depending on taste. The dated production value was part of the charm for me but might not appeal to everyone. (Though not always bad; lots of timeless location filming across China and Mongolia too.) Newer versions seem to be much better, but maybe too polished which gives the censorship and nationalistic vibe you mentioned of Chinese media. But the story is fundamentally good so idk how true that is. Anyway I loved it and think it could be worth checking out.

William Gibson's Jackpot series, plus Charles Stross.

I watched Parallels on Netflix recently. really nice short scifi series, but i recommend watching it in french with subtitles cause the dubbing is kinda bad imo

Afaik Chinese medical science is where it's all at! I just recently talked to a young man here in Winnipeg who is going into medicine schooling - wants to be a researcher - and he said common knowledge is that China has the most investment in medical science and discovery. Ofc I agreed with that since it matches what I keep hearing too. I have a Chinese friend who lives here too and she says I should move to China - said I'd get tons of women and that life is very good there for regular people.

I really enjoyed Alice Long Book 1 by E. William Brown for it's very well crafted and self-consistent universe. Liked the worldbuilding even more than in Bobiverse, Culture, etc.

How many times has a film adaptation of "Rendezvous with Rama" (Arthur C. Clarke) been in "devopment hell?" Morgan Freeman, David Fincher, and (most recently) Denis Villeneuve have been attached to the project. Frankly I'm not hopeful at this point. I think a film adaptation of "The Forge of God" (Greg Bear) would be exciting, but that'll probably never happen. Finding a good sci-fi novel is increasingly difficult. I recently read "Translation State" (Ann Leckie) because it came highly recommended, but it was just too talky and REALLY confusing toward the end. I watched the first six episodes of "Foundation" and it grew on me, though it bears little resemblance to Isaad Asimov's books.

For movies: The Mountain in the Sea by Ray Nayler (great book that blew me away) and any of the Hainish Cycle would make great movies.

I too enjoy revelation save series. However I’m not smart enough to know if it’s scientifically accurate

The Harlan Ellison "I, Robot" screenplay is just sitting there...

The Ancient Future series, by Australian author, Traci Harding, has options for a TV series or movie that have continued to be bought by one production house for over 10 years now. If the finally come up with the goods it will be awesome. If you haven't read this series (4 trilogies, 1 (soon to be 2) prequel) then I give it the highest recommendation possible. Especially if you love the mind bending effects time travel can conjur. The story blends scifi, fantasy, history, speculative fiction and spirituality and doesn't quite sit in any one genre firmly. Traci is a master story teller.

Murderbot, obviously. I don't remember if I've heard you mention Ann Leckie's Imperial Radch series (Ancillary Justice, etc.)?

Scott Sigler has a few series (read by Ray Porter) that are awesome sci-fi horror. Great characters, tension, attention to detail and science, alien monsters, fighting. They’re amazing and reignited my love of sci fi. The Infected series Ancestor series Earthcore series The Crypt was odd but I liked

I recently started watching the UFO series again.

Thanks for recommending the “Project Hail Mary” it was great fun listening to all of the science. Yes Audiobooks. It’s hard to an imagine how messy the movie version will be.

I really enjoyed and continue to enjoy the Space:1999 series. That seems to be a poster child example of lower case science upper case FICTION. But the enjoyment I get from the practical model effects alone (Eagles anyone?!?!?) and characters like Prof Victor Bergman, make the suspension of reality worthwhile.

The book 'Orbital' is an absolute jewel.

Thought I’d share this here too since I came over from YouTube for the bonus question. Toward Eternity by Anton Hur is a wonderful sci-fi book that jumps forward through humanity’s future in an interesting way. It’s his first novel but he’s a well known Korean to English translator. He’s done some of my favorite Sci-Fi/speculative fiction short story collections, Cursed Bunny & Your Utopia, by Bora Chung.

Movies I discovered in 2025, and I love - Cosmos (2019) - masterpiece with filming budget 7000$ - Mars Express (2023) - Animated movie from France