The Sword and Laser discussion

Episode is up!

http://www.swordandlaser.com/home/201...

I don't think you mentioned it on the show, but I was on my commute so I may have missed it, but the flash fiction is to help drive donations for the Shared Worlds summer creative writing camp.
If you like what you've read you're encouraged to make a donation http://www.wofford.edu/sharedworlds/d...

Also can we please not read Baslilisk Station next? We're due a sword.
What about The Lies of Locke Lamora?

In response to SSG Michael Mugler, I'm fairly sure it's not possible. I'm not a genetic expert, but the X chromosome contains 2000 genes, while the Y chromosome contains only 78 genes. So a "YY" male would be lacking more than 1,800 genes essential to producing a functioning human, and would never be born.

It might be theoretically possible to alter the Y chromosome so that it contained all of those genes, but then you wouldn't really have a Y chromosome, you'd have an X/Y hybrid chromosome.

From what I understand, all the non-sex chromosomes plus the X chromosome build a base human (female), and the Y chromosome is the add-on that makes a male. Basically, the Y chromosome contains a few genes also found on the X chromosome, described as "housekeeping genes" that code for basic cellular functions, but most of the genes on the Y chromosome are ones that only a male would need (such as those that trigger changes that result in male development during gestation, or code for the creation of proteins found only in the testes).

We're due for fantasy so I'm begging for Lies of Lock Lamora. But I'm bummed that it appears the new book wasn't picked yet..

Clips of Tom and Veronica's movie career were posted in the 'Tom Impersonator' thread: http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/8...

@Veronica: Catch up on your Parasol Protectorate, already! They are so short!! Then we can nerd out without fear of spoilage. ;)

PS: I don't think Perdido Street Station is a weird pick -- it's my legitimate favorite! My areas of core geekery are magic, romance, lefty politics, and labor/union struggles . . . it's like it was designed just for me, hehe.

Also:

Complete babe.

terpkristin wrote: "We're due for fantasy so I'm begging for Lies of Lock Lamora. But I'm bummed that it appears the new book wasn't picked yet.."

Appears? We straight up said it hasn't been picked yet! We don't usually announce a book on a wrap-up show. Do we?

I hadn't finished listening when I posted that, nor had I looked at website. Silly work doesn't let me so I do it all on my phone...

Also you have in the past announced the next pick on the wrap-up show. Not always, but there has been precedent...

Tom should pick Blue Remembered Earth and make everyone import a copy.

*Makes note to ask colleagues in London to bring a copy of Blue Remembered Earth to the US when they return on Friday*

Loved the show thanks V and T....The toymaker was also part of the emergent AI theme as well...

Okay, this is one of those super weird, "what are the odds" kind of things. When I was in sixth grade I played a lost boy in the Louisiana Tech production of Peter Pan. My one line? "Look! A cake! A cake!" I just nearly fell out of my chair at work.

Lies of Locke Lamora would be awesome, that is one fine great book!

I would like to agree with Bree in acknowledging what a babe China Miéville is.

Here's a video of him being rilly smart. It's also germane to our thread about Science Fiction vs Science Fantasy, but I don't trust myself to wade in there without saying something that will get me a banning.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5lh9C...

Good podcast guys!

Veronica wrote: "terpkristin wrote: "We're due for fantasy so I'm begging for Lies of Lock Lamora. But I'm bummed that it appears the new book wasn't picked yet.."

Appears? We straight up said it hasn't been picke..."

You know we don't like to wait for the next book :)

Come on V say "He is the Kwisatz Haderach!" in your witch voice next podcast.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8-eiB...

I'm happy with my 'vaginal fantasy' ringtone.

Next pick should be a 'Sword' and The Lies of Locke Lamora seems to be the only suggestion so far. (It's also not an inflated price as a kindle book either) Any other ideas? I would suggest some Tad Williams, David Gemmell or perhaps in, anticipation of the movie, A Princess of Mars.

AndrewP wrote: "Next pick should be a 'Sword' and The Lies of Locke Lamora seems to be the only suggestion so far. (It's also not an inflated price as a kindle book either) Any other ideas? I would ..."

I'd say there are a few suggestions. See the thread http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/8...

Nick wrote: "I'd say there are a few suggestions. See the thread http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/8030...
"
Thanks Nick. Sometimes my Goodreads notifications lag a day or two behind, then I get 2 copies of the same digest summary. Does anyone else have this problem?

Adrian wrote: ""Why the hell am I listening to a cabal of ageing generals, when I can KO bears from across a room with my ?""

Fixed. Oh and "insert preferred method" while talking about Y chromosomes, nice!

Another great episode, eventually I'll get a copy of Rule 34 from the library. Was there some reference to what was played at the end of the podcast that I missed? Whatever it was it certainly had me giggling.

Tora wrote: "In response to SSG Michael Mugler, I'm fairly sure it's not possible. I'm not a genetic expert, but the X chromosome contains 2000 genes, while the Y chromosome contains only 78 genes. So a "YY" ma..."

I agree the X chromosome is huge and has a number of very essential housekeeping genes you can't loose it and expect to have anything viable. The Y chromosome on the other hand, has only one function to turn the default female development into the male development, and therefore has a different set of genes than those found on the X chromosome. Which is why sex linked recessive phenotypes are seen more in males, any mutations on X chromosome that they inherit will be expressed in males. As someone with a biology degree I don't really see how you could even with genetic engineering make a YY chromosome viable, and further more why would you? Wouldn't that spell the end of the species?

However, what I would find interesting, and believable, is a book that looks at a different method of sex determination. Such as temperature, such as crocodiles, or the reversal. With the female being the with two different types of sex chromosomes and the male having 2 of the same type.

That being said it's an interesting way to diffuse a situation. If nothing else it will require the person who knows something about the X chromosome to tell why your wrong.

AndrewP wrote: "Sometimes my Goodreads notifications lag a day or two behind, then I get 2 copies of the same digest summary. Does anyone else have this problem?"

Regularly. Drives me nuts. Every now and then, I go trolling through all the threads and find I've got a bunch I've missed due to lack of notification or laggy notification.

On another group, I'm supposed to get digest and no instant notification. I typically get two copies of the same digest and every other day end up with 2 or 3 instant notifications.

I just hate it when I click back to the main page and it's on the wrong tab.

I finally got around to downloading the S & L app., along with the Tom Merritt app. It's terrific with an audio facet to the book discussion. Great job, Tom and Veronica!

Tora wrote: "In response to SSG Michael Mugler, I'm fairly sure it's not possible. I'm not a genetic expert, but the X chromosome contains 2000 genes, while the Y chromosome contains only 78 genes. So a "YY" ma..."

You could have an XYY man, which happens when the Y chromosome fails to split during sperm cell formation. They have been called "super males." You can have super females too, with XXX, or even XXXX chromosomes.

I remember reading about men with the XYY chromosomes when I was in grade school. The case studies came with some pictures. They do show some marked maleness. Some have a tendency towards aggressiveness. Then there are some men who seem perfectly normal.

I do agree that there is no way you can create a human species with no X chromosomes in the genetic makeup.

Karen wrote: "Tora wrote: "In response to SSG Michael Mugler, I'm fairly sure it's not possible. I'm not a genetic expert, but the X chromosome contains 2000 genes, while the Y chromosome contains only 78 genes...."

And then added all kinds of hype around them with no evidence. I guess the Y chromosome is assumed to have mystical powers or something in popular consciousness. Interestingly the sex chromosomes are the only ones this can happen without major problems. This is due to the fact that our biology is setup to deal with an extra X chromosome in females. At a certain stage in embryonic development all but one X chromosome will be deactivated in each cell, randomly. So women are sort of a patched mix of one or the other X chromosome being active. Really neat when you think about.

However all other chromosomes with an extra or a missing part of the pair have serious problems. Down Syndrome is due to an extra copy of the smallest, excluding Y, chromosome, there's only one other duplication event that allows for a live birth all other 20 are in in-utero lethal.

I guess lucky would be a better way of describing those with extra X or Y chromosomes.

True but most people have a cultural problem with that, females being the 'weaker' sex in many people's minds. The chances of that as a theme are small. However you never know with Scifi/Fantasy.

Julia wrote: "However, what I would find interesting, and believable, is a book that looks at a different method of sex determination. Such as temperature, such as crocodiles, or the reversal. With the female being the with two different types of sex chromosomes and the male having 2 of the same type."

Well, there's Sayuri Ueda's The Cage of Zeus where people have the ability to actually change their biological sex instead resorting to cosmetic surgery and hormone therapy. Of course, that's only a background detail and most of the story focuses on genetically engineered hermaphrodites.

After reading a bit about XYY I'm starting to think I'm XYY, I'm both tall and dumb, it sounds just like me.

Nah, that's just regular XY. ;)

How can I put my vote in for "On Basilisk Station" ?

The only sci-fi I can think of that uses XYY cromosomes is Alien 3. All the inmates of the Fiorina 161 prison colony are males with the XYY patern.

Jeane wrote: "How can I put my vote in for "On Basilisk Station" ?"

I think at this point you'll have to wait for the next time they do a poll on sci-fi books. :) Or suggest it again after the next book, a fantasy pick. But if you want to vote on the next pick (a fantasy book), go here: http://www.goodreads.com/poll/list/41...

I guess you could write it in, but the vote is over in 2 days! Oh wait it's not fantasy.

XYY man- The XYY Man was a series of novels by Kenneth Royce.
Experts now claim that there's no proof that being XYY
gives you criminal tendencies.They're not totally sure
since someone stole the final report.

I enjoy reading something out side my normal routine.
Suggesting the 17th novel in your favorite series kind of defeats the purpose. So I await the next S&L selection.
(So long as its not young vampires in love.)

I'm SO behind on my listening. I just wanted to say that I use the lines from Dune (I must not fear, fear is the mindkiller, etc) to stop myself from being ticklish (totally works), or to calm down before something stressful like an interview or presentation. Winning!

Wow that's so nerdy. I should try it this week when I have some mega-craziness going on.

Jenny wrote: "I'm SO behind on my listening. I just wanted to say that I use the lines from Dune (I must not fear, fear is the mindkiller, etc) to stop myself from being ticklish (totally works), or to calm dow..."

In Among Others the main character says Frank Herbert's "Litany Against Fear" to help her calm down and focus whenever she thinks she is being attacked magically.

"I must not fear.
Fear is the mind-killer.
Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration.
I will face my fear.
I will permit it to pass over me and through me.
And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path.
Where the fear has gone there will be nothing......Only I will remain."

NO SHE STOLE IT FROM ME ARRRRGH. :)

terpkristin wrote: "Wow that's so nerdy. I should try it this week when I have some mega-craziness going on."

You are in a scifi book club forum. To say something is nerdy in a comment in here is like saying the sky is blue or jar-jar binks should die. Its a given.

terpkristin wrote: "Wow that's so nerdy. I should try it this week when I have some mega-craziness going on."
It is kind of like a longer version of counting to ten....

Do you imbibe some spice before an interview too?

Jenny wrote: "I'm SO behind on my listening. I just wanted to say that I use the lines from Dune (I must not fear, fear is the mindkiller, etc) to stop myself from being ticklish (totally works), or to calm dow..."

....wait. There are people who DON'T do this?

Jess wrote: "...wait. There are people who DON'T do this?"

hi-5!