short (draft): the Parnassus, Symmetry and Law

Aristotle and Buridan both pondered symmetry in the Universe.  A man (or in the latter's case, an ass), provided equal portions of food and water within reach, may likely starve if he lacks sufficient reason to choose one or the other.  It sounds unreasonable for any creature to starve, but the underlying logic is sound - the creature will have to make up a reason to break the symmetry of the choice.

So Man has made the Universe operate within Law, and symmetry is likely to be found.

But, if was Harithren in 2085 that found that symmetry is false.  Where behaviors of magnetism or gravity or Newtonian Law appear to be sound and replicable, there is the Harithren Dispute.  This Dispute allows for a single, and only a single, string of an absolute asymmetrical construct that induces symmetry.  A general Law is upheld.  The singular Dispute as well.

If not for Harithren, we would not have found the muon counter-effect.  The elegance and simplicity of the string provided us faster than light travel, where the general Law could not allow.

The Parnassus had the MCE Generator, which amplified the counter-effect, and space time was malleable.  We only had to point to a direction of space, account for various affectations in the travel, based upon Dispute knowns (47 in the case of extra-stellar travel).

Now commonplace, I have seen space grow dark - as trillions of starlight points pull upon itself.  I have not seen, but other Captains have, seen to within minutes of the Singularity.  Best not to think on it is the usual refrain.  The AI takes care of most of it and I have another 12 physicists assigned to me that take only fractions of the overall MCE calculations.  No one human could ever take that on.  The AI computational use is completely given over with 30% overhead so we don't disintegrate.  [A sister ship, a B-Class Haul Frigate, attempted to apply an AI to a singularity, Lord know what they were thinking, and the ship stopped.  Only 27% of the souls were saved.]

During sub-light, the Generator Crew is on high alert and are not allowed to do anything but monitor AI and continuously run calculations.  Getting into sub-light is the easiest part, the traverse is harrowing, but it is re-entry that will get you.  Arnof said that, and used 'get' where he wanted to use 'kill'.  No one on a star ship used language that could be deemed unlucky.

In sub, environment and comms were the only allowable functions.  It was a bit of a break for almost all the rest of the crew.  We were called to quarters, except for me and my executive crew.  Even then, I let them do what they did best.  I monitored their progress from my ready room, where I put them on the monitors.  All was nominal.

I sat back and thought of reading up on reports of the quadrant we were visiting.  The area was of interest as it's spectrograph spiked on having an asteroid field of some size with granirum - necessary for the production of super station frames.

It was a one week [relative] trip out, five days of study, and another week back.  The geologists were anxious and the pressure was mostly on them.  Our instruments were good, but we would have to send precise locations for the mining syndicate to be of any value.

The hum continued and took me from the reports.  I instead snuck in an organic tea and a physical solitaire game to reset my thoughts. The starlight returned in parts, but the pattern wasn't recognizable.  I got dressed into my tactical uniform and had to pay a visit to the MCE.

As I walked aft, a fleeting thought came in about a different Dispute, then was suddenly lost.  I let it go and hoped it would drift back to me again.

vis: pelicula en blanco y negro

clarity writ in dark and light
lines comforting
where cacaphony's a spectrum
an unrelenting array
but here, but three - shadow, white and in between

a soft sweater on a cool day
a buffet against a harsher wind
mellowing it to a light, cool whisper
the fog to separate harshness
otherwise

this or that, or somewhere in between
is all

focus is effortless
edging the primordial
time between day and night
where tremulous we tread
and only breath
and relish the pause

~ 25jun18

short (draft): Commander of the Parnassus

I.

When you've spent enough time on a star ship, the hum became its 'signature' - a unique combination of systems running nominally.  Chirps, persistent hums, even the occasional easing of hull frames - combined, they form a bit of a song.  As captain of the Parnassus, I pause constantly to attune myself to the correct correlation of multiple, persistent sound.  At this instant, it had the right combination...particularly from the ready room.  The engine, the vibration of the surfaces in the room, the feel of the air and, one area I was sensitive to, the very pressure was at a rate that was nominal.  Nominal may sound an odd description, but the variances of a star ship were such that nominal would only be about half of the time.  Dangers persistent at all times, unless you were in the embrace of dry dock.  [Not to say there haven't been accidents in dock.]  The whole business was precarious to the core.

Being sensitive to changes in pressure is a critical trait for me.  It has saved me, and thus the crew, on a variety of occasions.  The same sensitivity I require in my own executive staff.  Tanishe is my nose, Karl my skin, Farshad my ears - so much so my less sensitive staff relied upon the four of us at crucial times where emotions were high and the proclivities of the Parnassus AI, Daedalus, were not so easily trusted.  AI, after all, has no nose, skin or ears.  It can easily tell you the composition of the air, but mild variations did not trigger where a human's does.  We are trained to trust our instincts...Daedalus simply couldn't be relied upon in the same way.

My desk was a mess and it bothered me.  There was a ceremony where the Parnassus and its crew were honored guests and required to be the emissaries for the Federalist Government.  I have about 25% new staff and 'new' in they just walked off the fields of Academy.  They were taking a crash course in diplomacy from my best.  "Better to keep one's mouth shut in all cases where a glint in the eye and a pleasant smile are what's wanted."  I had to remind them that we are star hoppers and not politicians.  Thank God.

The ship had just dodged a bullet when a piece of NRD, naturally recurring debris, had struck a radiation vent.  We had to immediately stop the ship and the whole procedure required that we hold down, no engine use for at least 36 hours.  Givvy and the engineering crew got us back up and running within 5 hours and Focus [special tactical teams that were called upon based upon skill, shift and situation] allowed us to move on...only because of the time table to get to Trious for the ceremony.  I shifted the reports around a bit, and that was a dangerous move, as the work may have been truncated, but we risked having an issue that would make the 36 hours look like a drop in the hat if it cropped up.  'Focus' was critical - we assigned a crew and they were responsible for the calls, easing the burden on the rest of the team to continue their normal duties.  I took a page from Admiral Chartain in that I always assigned a Maverick.  A single person to monitor from afar and let me know if Focus was off the mark.

"Engineering?"

"Sir?"

"Is this Stafford?"  She hailed from Angel's Nest.  A right functioning cadet - quick and bright.

"Yes sir!"

"Did Givvy put the radiation venting on a monitored cycle?  And what is our current through put?"

A pause.  "Yes, we are monitoring every 5 minutes with an AI and a visual check.  We have a glass on the vent and it looks clean at the moment.  Still have the damage around it, but it is wide enough not to heat up.  Our current through-put is .26.  We cut it back and it has been holding."

"Very good Stafford.  Please contact the bridge for any deviation from .26, we'll shut the engine immediately.  Also, please express to the crew that I've personally asked for the five minute intervals.  I don't want us gimped or dead because someone could respond to a timer."

"Yes sir.  I'll re-express it the crew."

"Can you ask Valerie on our current time deviation with Trious?"

"Stand-by."  Relative time was ascertained against the Earth quantum time, the ship clocks (mean, determined, relative), and a deviation time given against the way-point or destination quantum.

"Twelve hours, 36 minutes.  It is currently April 3rd, 11:00a relative to Earth."  It popped up on the screen.  Valerie was quick.

"Thanks Stafford and Valerie.  Out."

I turned attention to the status reports of the various governments convening at Trious.  We have the Federalists, and only the Parnassus in attendance, we are a hybrid ship, so we don't upset anyone expecting a particular flub in diplomacy.  We represent engineering, command, science, operations and military.

The Trious were hosting.  The world was well known for its cultural significance.  It was playing host to two primary factions...those of the inner and outer colonies.  The ceremony was nothing new, it was seven years old at this point, but all agreed the discussions needed to still happen to keep that fragile piece.  There was some outskirt skirmishes still popping up here and there.  Mineral and water rights were always under fire.  Poor haulers.

The third focus was on reports of real troublemakers, particularly those that saw the Federalists as empire.  We do our best to remain neutral in almost all things, but we do put domain on all commodities as a matter of course.  This star ship, as lovely and right lined as she is, only existed because of these commodities.  In turn, we kept the peace.

I read the status and viewed some extranet vids.  Trious had a general warning, but nothing specific.  

I knew some of the folks at a nearby trading station...Keystone was one, a trader, and Lamphrey the other, a fueling specialist.  If we have time, I'll put to the XO crew on my intention.  I'd like to take the Parnassus to refuel and to fix the vent.  Meanwhile, I'd use the trip to gather more information for the Federalist docket on this issue...they've named it ZDIE0384.  Hopefully my information may provide more help on finding their point of origination.

I rubbed my eyes.  I needed to sleep.

"Sev?"

"This is Console."

"What our eta to the next waypoint?"

"2 point...34 hours."

"I'm going to strap down in the ready room.  My shift is up in 5."

"Roger sir.  We'll chime you if there's anything out of the ordinary."

"Out."

I immediately shifted the seat down and strapped myself in.  I needed the sleep, and it came quickly.
...

March is American Red Cross Month

Find your inner hero!

March is American Red Cross Month find out all sorts of ways to get involved, albeit it may be a lot like Sparta - either blood or coin, hoo-hoo-hoo!  Folks may not know, but blood and other blood products save lives - like really, really save lives...perhaps yours or someone you love.  Considering giving - the process is so painless and easy...you'll be suprised!

I typically give whole blood, but recently tried giving plasma - either one is easy-peasy.  Have questions, just stop by your local ARC and ask.

witness: Mr. Sebian Holiday

Update: it breaks my heart completely that Sebian passed away on 6/20.  https://denver.cbslocal.com/2018/06/20/sebs-rec-center-aurora-sebian-holiday/ Please consider giving to Seb's Rec Center and/or the Muscular Dystrophy Association https://www.mda.org/ as the latter looks to find answers to https://www.mda.org/disease/mitochondrial-myopathies.

~~~

Sebian.  When I hear his story and I see his struggle, I am awed by his capacity for bravery.  The strength of spirit where pain and angst and what should be hopelessness are overcome.  My own struggles and concerns are not as much petty as they are dust.

The coalescing of the best is in him.  He is the promise of hope, what is best of humanity.  Pure: he is freed of so many other imperfections.

I long to know more Sebians or his father.  I've been misfortunate to know souls that are slivers of good.  They are shadows of what could be.  Whispers of songs.  Cries for self.  Temples of sand.

Its been much rarer to know good.  Selflessness.  True strength.  The Faithful.  Simple kindness.

Can we do more?  Just a little kindness?  Can we be as transformative in life as he?  Can we pray for a miracle?  That more could see him and care?

https://www.sebsrec.org/donate.html

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hear:Lake Street Dive

Simply...so...amazing.

http://www.lakestreetdive.com/

Blade Runner 2049 Digital Release (12/26/17)

"I didn't even know the movie came out.  Is it still out?"

My friend had no idea about 2017's Blade Runner 2049.  I admit that I intended on supporting it as it initially came out in theaters and heard the infamous 'mixed reviews'.  I paused where I shouldn't have.  The original Blade Runner (1982) was an imprimatur for me, having not seen it in theaters 35 years ago, but instead on the VHS release in 1983 and as a laser-disc rental in 1987.

In stark contrast to the hopeful, lighthearted space opera of Star Wars and its deviations, one could have described it as 'hard' sci-fi.  For me, the term held a place in a world, if you could get it, of Omni magazine, Heavy Metal short stories (or the movie, which was extremely hard to find as a child), Star Trek short stories, Twilight Zone, etc.

1982 Blade was lacked hope for most of it.  It was destructive.  It was as gritty as a Raymond Chandler novel.  I felt most affinity to Blade from Chandler, especially coming across his novella Red Wind (1938).  Dystopian.  Bleak.  Litter-filled to the point you felt like you were gagging on it.

As it came to Denis Villeneuve's interpretation, under the eye of Ridley Scott, with writers Hampton Fancher and Michael Green - this is a sequel, let there be no doubt, of 1982 Blade.

Even as Villeneuve struggles with the lackluster performance of the film, it still is making an imprint with critics.  If there is any solace, keep in mind it has been one of the worst years in some time for the box office generally.  Villeneuve shouldn't overthink it based on this - this is a much larger, systemic problem at work here.  It needs to be solved at the studio, marketing and theater level.  To strike a tangent, I think studios have made it to easy to wait.  I know I say to myself, in making a decision to go to the theater, that I could just as simply wait a few weeks and it'll be out on digital.  Which is what I did.  By pushing that expectation out - I'm sure I wouldn't have had to wait.  [It released yesterday, 12/26/17.]

And, in the end, it is an engaging film.  There could be a lot to speak to - it is not as tangible as the first film.  Practical effects and focus on faces and not bleak landscapes is a note to take to mind.  1982 Blade was about character.  When we shift too much attention to the wars, their outcome, the current state, we could get lost.

Where the movie shines is in having a replicant be the protagonist.  This is weird at first, and there are questions all the way to the end, but it resolves itself in a way that is true to all the characters.

I wonder if, in the boardrooms of the world, where someone has to speak strongly about 'scale'.  "It needs to have scale.  It needs to breath.  We need to go..."  Scale doesn't fix anything.  It's already there if your story has a solid foundation.  In 2049 the protagonist goes from LA to San Diego to Las Vegas and back again.  The spaces in between those take up enough time to be noticeable.  Plus, I don't feel we got anything by going there.  We are just seeing more of the same dystopia.

In the end, I still recommend a rental.  It is definitely worth it.  Where I have these gripes, I only shy away from its strengths as they would spoil some of the threads.

What shines is the 'love' interest of the protagonist replicant, 'K' (Ryan Gosling) and a tailored AI partner, Joi (Ana de Armas).  Their relationship, when you think deeply of the future and what it surely holds, is eerie.  It will happen.  Replicants in love with AI.  Humans loving replicants.  'Real' is so blurred, it holds almost no purport in questioning.  Deckard (Harrison Ford) even throws the question of 'real' back in the face of K, as if to say 'what does it matter - the world is f*cked as it is'.

Ana de Armas as Joi

The momentum of the movie also has you question the relationship of conception and the future.  There is one scene in particular that calls me back (where 1982 Blade had a half a dozen), is K questioning a doctor (Carla Juri) about implanting memories.  There is emotion and gravity to the scene, and, without it, I don't think the movie would be as strong.

I purchased it immediately yesterday off of Vudu.  They typically bundle their products with some extras - in this case about a dozen behind-the-scene vignettes.  Nothing too deep - and perhaps what may be missing and corrected in a director's cut.

To full edwardianjackal site.