Author Archives: dan

The Hinterlands

Posted on June 23, 2017 by dan

Whew, what a vacation that was. I even got a chance to talk to my wife. We discussed urbanization. Our terrible vision of a future: extreme urbanization where cities are pressure-cookers of both problems and their solutions. The problem-solution cycle … Continue reading →

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The Goose’s Wing: Materials and Design

Posted on June 22, 2017 by dan

Remember Era of the Kite and Rocket? I’m writing a story set there, but the world needs some more buildin’! I started a thread on the Alternate History Forum, but here’s what I got so far: First, I should point … Continue reading →

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I’ve been Nominated for a Sidewise Award

Posted on June 21, 2017 by dan

What the hell is going on? My jet-lagged two-year old is getting me out of bed at 2am and my short story is being considered for THE alternate history award? My name is on the same short list as Bruce … Continue reading →

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The Neocene

Posted on June 19, 2017 by dan

https://danbensen.tumblr.com/post/161992335260/speculative-biology-projects-neocene-and-the

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The Speculative Dinosaur Project

Posted on June 12, 2017 by dan

  Those of you with long memories might remember that I was involved in the Speculative Dinosaur Project back when I was in high school. The project is moribund now, but it’s still getting attention. Nikolay Kilyachkov is one such … Continue reading →

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Fa-daa!

Posted on June 12, 2017 by dan

I am have making meme! We are all meeming now!

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Baby Talks: Consonant Harmony

Posted on June 1, 2017 by dan

I noticed something cool while I was singing the finger family song to my 2-year-old daughter this morning: consonant harmony. Me: Mommy finger mommy finger where are you? Her: Mommy minger! Me: Daddy finger… Her: Daddy binger! Me: Kaka (big … Continue reading →

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A space shanty

Posted on May 24, 2017 by dan

https://danbensen.tumblr.com/post/161005970385/blame-my-muses-so-this-whole-conversation I left my alter drifting In another quantum brane His eyes are sort of shifty But we’re otherwise the same If the timeline branches one way I’m alive and he is dead But if we go the other Then … Continue reading →

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The Howling Specter of the Law

Posted on May 19, 2017 by dan

https://danbensen.tumblr.com/post/160261711980/exxos-von-steamboldt-slimy

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Bad Conlang Ideas

Posted on May 12, 2017 by dan

You know how some languages have nouns with singular, dual, and plural morphology? Why not more? I’m not suggesting a different suffix for every number. But what if we kept things simple? What if we used binary?This is a Wugun. Now … Continue reading →

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