Seeding the Universe - or at Least Earth

I intended to post this some time ago, but I've been too busy. Maybe most everyone has heard about it, but for those who haven't, it is interesting. A couple of months ago, several scientists reported that they found proto-DNA in a meteorite that collided with the Earth back in the 1960s. What this does is lend some support to the panspermia theory - that life on Earth came from someplace other than Earth.

Most scientists are not willing to go as far as stating "life came from outer space," but a few are suggesting that meteorites such as this one might have provided life on Earth with an evolutionary advantage.

The researchers did indeed check the meteorite to see if it was contaminated by material from Earth, and according to their findings, it was not. This rock came with its own proto-DNA. Members of the research time are quoted everywhere, and now here:

Lead author Dr Zita Martins, of the Department of Earth Science and Engineering at Imperial College London, says that the research may provide another piece of evidence explaining the evolution of early life. She says:

“We believe early life may have adopted nucleobases from meteoritic fragments for use in genetic coding which enabled them to pass on their successful features to subsequent generations.”

Between 3.8 to 4.5 billion years ago large numbers of rocks similar to the Murchison meteorite rained down on Earth at the time when primitive life was forming. The heavy bombardment would have dropped large amounts of meteorite material to the surface on planets like Earth and Mars.

Of course the panspermia theory isn't new either. Speculation that life on Earth might have come from Mars, Europa, Titan, or other remote regions have existed for years. Fans of science fiction are likely thinking this is old news, and in that genre it is. In any case, it is certainly exciting to think about.

Diamond Memories and the Qubit

As I just returned from a Software Open Source/Science Fiction convention, I thought I'd make a post about the future of computers. While at the convention, I didn't have time to attend any of the technology panels, so I regret I can offer nothing from them. Instead, I thought I'd discuss quantum computers. Seems natural. :)

So what is a quantum computer? One quick way to sum it up is to say it is fast (bad pun there). But why it is fast is the key. There are varied reasons, but most important is perhaps the three states of data: on, off, qubit (also known as spin up, spin down, and qubit). That is to say, computer technology we use today is binary (2 states - on/off). But a quantum computer makes use of a strange quantum state of "on and off." For those familiar with Schrodinger's cat, it is the quantum state that is not determined until observed. Meaning the famous cat in the box is dead and alive at the same time until observed. Hmmm. My guess is that I'm not adding to the clarity.

Let's just move along. Quantum computers are fast. And they are fast because they have 3 states, and one state is very confusing to humans and material used for computer memory. This places the problem of making a quantum computer with finding something that can "hold" that 3rd state. "On" and "Off" are easy with low cost technology. But quantum flux states are difficult. And calculation speed is gained with that 3rd state (incredible speed). But this problem may be nearly solved. Diamonds happen to be capable of "remembering" the quantum flux state known as a "qubit" (between 1 and 0 state). This means diamonds could be used as memory for quantum computers, removing the need for super-cooling systems that other memory storage materials require. Better yet, artificial diamonds seem to work nearly as well as real diamonds. So, the present binary state computer that requires around one-million years to crack a encrypted message, will takes less than a minute with a quantum computer. Just imagine the fun the world can have with such a computer.

Not only does this open up the world of computing technology, allowing it to bound over the speed wall that has been encountered by present technology, but it makes quantum computers small, and less costly. I doubt they'll be available online or in stores any time soon, but we are one step closer to having personal super computers.

Perhaps the best example I can give (one that comes close) is the late Arthur C. Clarke's HAL 9000 computer. It used "holographic array logic" for it's super computing memory -a multi-state computer. I wonder if these means we'll have to be all the more careful about turning off our computers.

What's My Line?

(Contest)

In a few hours I'll be off to the Book Expo of America -- one of, if not the largest, book and publishing conventions in North America. It is held in New York City this year, just a touch closer than last year's D.C. trip (particularly when I was in California the previous weekend).

Hopefully I'll get a chance to prowl through the various publishers and businesses at the convention, and maybe post some images while I'm at it.

In the mean time, I thought I'd post a snippet of the upcoming "Burning Bright" episode with Caley Faith Dayton. The art is by Jason Whitley -- a dedicated and extremely hardworking artist. To avoid giving away details, I'll leave this to the imagination. Is that a .45 and a 9mm?

Obviously there is more to the story than this edited frame. In fact, the text has been removed, leaving Caley's thoughts to imaginative speculation. My guess is the fellow on the floor is no longer having thoughts. Then again, he could.

Either way, if anyone cares to come up with a clever bit of dialogue for this scene, feel free to email it to me or post it. Given Caley's vocabulary, the language can be strong -- but I'd expect not graphic. Of course, I'll be the judge, and there is not "right" answer. Just a close match. And who knows, maybe I don't have one and I'm tricking someone into giving me one. :)

I'll select the top two lines and mail either a copy of the magazine containing episode #1 of "Burning Bright," or a copy of Artifacts: Memories out of Space and Time, which contains the short fiction story with Caley (titled "The Tiger"). It originally appeared in the anthology Dark Furies, but I believe that is out of print now.

Babylon 5 Gossip

While this is not news to the devout followers of the SF television series Babylon 5, it might be to those who thought the program had vanished. Nearly two weeks ago, I received a telephone call from J. Michael Straczynski. He was in Vancouver, doing the final mixing on a new DVD release titled: Babylon 5: The Lost Tales. Over his cell phone, I could hear the snippets of the audio -- although he urged that I forget anything that I heard. But, the reason for his call was get me to send a release for Warner Brothers (which was not needed, but Warner Brothers wanted to make sure there were no problems).

Why a release from me? I obviously have nothing to do with the production. But, as part of the screenplay for The Lost Tales is related to JMS's story that appeared in issue #7 of Dark Wisdom (www.darkwisdom.com), a release from me was thought to be needed.

After some debate with a stubborn fax machine on the receiving end, I managed to get the paperwork through. And during my discussion with JMS, I did hear some interesting things in the background, none of which I do remember (honestly). However, for those who have a copy of Dark Wisdom #7, and who are Babylon 5 fans, then you might have an idea of why a priest from Earth is needed on the station. That issue of the magazine is sold out, and beyond being connected to Babylon 5, it was also the last digest size issue of the magazine. So if you are a collector, the value might have just increased.

Here is a link to his personal backstage photos site: (http://www.babylon5scripts.com/TLT-JMS-Photos.html). Again, it isn't a secret. Dedicated fans of B5 already have seen this as well. But, if you haven't followed the series, or didn’t know about The Lost Tales, then do take a peek.