Author Archives: tkflor

Old science-fiction and new research agree – paper is mightier than computer

Posted on May 31, 2015 by tkflor

“A paper computer?” said the general. He looked pained. “No, sir,” said Shuman patiently. “Not a paper computer. Simply a sheet of paper. General, would you be so kind to suggest a number?” “Seventeen,” said the general. “And you, Congressman?” … Continue reading →

Posted in science fiction, writing | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Fictional choices

Posted on May 23, 2015 by tkflor

“It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.” From conversation between Dumbledore and Harry, at the last chapter of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, by J. K. Rowling I recalled … Continue reading →

Posted in fiction, literature, mainstream fiction, science fiction, writing | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

CP Violation: what is it and when does it matter?

Posted on May 17, 2015 by tkflor

“Suppose the TV-news suddenly reported one evening that visitors from outer space were planning to land on Earth; that the space travellers have radioed a demand for immediate information about the composition of the Earth. Does it consist of Matter … Continue reading →

Posted in cosmology, physics, science fiction | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Inge Lehmann: Discoverer of the Earth’s Inner Core

Posted on May 13, 2015 by tkflor

“You should know how many incompetent men I had to compete with — in vain” Inge Lehmann. Quips aside, Inge Lehmann was a pioneering seismologist who discovered that the Earth has both an inner and an outer core.

Posted in physics | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Photos from Charleston, SC

Posted on May 9, 2015 by tkflor
Posted in photos | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

When does a hobbyist become a professional writer?

Posted on May 2, 2015 by tkflor

“You seem to want to write, so write… Even if only the people in your writing group read your memoirs or stories or novel, even if you only wrote your story so that one day your children would know what … Continue reading →

Posted in fiction, literature, mainstream fiction, self-publishing, writing | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Accomplished toddlers primed for success

Posted on April 24, 2015 by tkflor

“No one can be really esteemed accomplished who does not greatly surpass what is usually met with.” Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice. It has been over two hundreds years since Miss Bingley made this snooty assertion, and yet her sentiments … Continue reading →

Posted in fiction | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Famous physicists – A to Z

Posted on April 11, 2015 by tkflor

I was catching up with blog-posts accumulated on my reader during a vacation, when it occurred to me that there aren’t as many posts as one might expect during the A–to–Z challenge (it requires one to blog about a theme … Continue reading →

Posted in physics | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Shadow World – an unusual hero’s journey

Posted on March 28, 2015 by tkflor

“If this is about anything, it’s the boundary between creation and madness, art and science, the natural and the artifactual. Characters are fictional although some are inhabited by amalgamated aspects of real people. The science is factual but I insert … Continue reading →

Posted in cosmology, fiction, literature, physics, science fiction | Tagged , | 3 Comments

Maps of Physics and Fiction

Posted on March 17, 2015 by tkflor

My two favorite subjects presented through maps: Bernard H. Porter’s 1939 map depicting Physics as a continent, with rivers corresponding to its principal branches. From dabacon.org. Fiction Island and a rough layout of the genres, from Jasper Fforde, 2011:

Posted in fiction, literature, physics | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment