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Martians Wanted

Want to get away for a year or so? This job might be for you!

Martians Wanted: NASA Opens Call for Simulated Yearlong Mars Mission – NASA

NASA is seeking applicants to participate in its next simulated one-year Mars surface mission to help inform the agency’s plans for human exploration of the Red Planet.

NASA is looking for healthy, motivated U.S. citizens or permanent residents who are non-smokers, 30-55 years old, and proficient in English for effective communication between crewmates and mission control. Applicants should have a strong desire for unique, rewarding adventures and interest in contributing to NASA’s work to prepare for the first human journey to Mars.

The deadline for applicants is Tuesday, April 2.

https://chapea.nasa.gov

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Photo by Benjamin Recinos on Unsplash

Words of Wisdom

My high school teacher accidentally gave me a lifelong mantra: “If you think you hate everyone, have something to eat. If you think everyone hates you, go to sleep.”

— Wendy Syfret 

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Photo by Jakub Dziubak on Unsplash

Psych Eval

One of my first drabbles, originally published in Grand Science Fiction. Scroll right to read it in full.

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Photo by Maegan Martin on Unsplash

You Win

For anyone facing a challenge today, two quotes:

“…very often a risk is worth taking simply for the sake of taking it. There is something enlivening about expanding our self-definition, and a risk does exactly that. Selecting a challenge and meeting it creates a sense of self-empowerment that becomes the ground for further successful challenges.”

— Julia Cameron, The Artist’s Way

“So do it. If you win, you win, and if you lose, you win.”

— Jake La Motta, Raging Bull

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Photo by Wesley Eland on Unsplash

Forget the Sugar

One of our neighbors is installing a home generator. Our area has relatively stable power but events like the Great Power Out-ening of 2022 do tend to stick with you, and they have had it.

Now they’ll be equipped for a future of ice storms and high winds and general grief from the joys of climate change.

We do have a portable generator, but in case of another long-term outage event it’s nice to know that we can pop next door for a cup of electrons.

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Original Photo by Mel Poole on Unsplash

“Stories of imagination tend to upset those without one.”

― Terry Pratchett

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Photo by Alex Shuper on Unsplash

Glad You’re Here

It is Freedom to Read Week here in Canada. What is it, you may ask?

Welcome to Freedom to Read

Freedom to Read Week is an annual event that encourages Canadians to think about and reaffirm their commitment to intellectual freedom.

Well, I am all about that. The more readers in the world, the better.

And while we’re on the topic, if you happen to live in a place where access to books is not what it could be, allow me to introduce you to the Open Library

Open Library is free and open to anyone. Some features require that you have an Open Library account.

Have an email address? You’re in.

And welcome. We’re glad you’re here.

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Photo by Sanjeevan SatheesKumar on Unsplash

Empathy Engines

Today, an essay by Cecilia Tan in Uncanny magazine: A Novel Is an Empathy Engine.

The idea that story can have an effect on the humans that consume it is not new. It’s well accepted across many cultures, and well supported by studies, that children’s development is aided by hearing stories, with benefits ranging from emotional development and improved communication skills to increased vocabulary and social maturity. But adults are also affected and changed by story.

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Photo by Nav Rashmi Kalsi on Unsplash

Being Human

“My humanity is bound up in yours, for we can only be human together.”

— Desmond Tutu

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Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

Lost Sols

In a recent chat with my mother, I mentioned that I thought she would enjoy the movie version of The Martian. I don’t know if she was convinced by my sales pitch: “An astronaut is stranded alone on Mars and has to find a way home before he dies a horrible death. It’s hilarious!” but I hope she’ll watch it.

Andy Weir’s book is also a lot of fun. It was published ten years ago this month, and to celebrate he wrote a new chapter and shared it with us all.

Enjoy!

The Martian: Lost Sols

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Photo by Ali Bakgor on Unsplash