Hi-Sci-Fi

How do you combine video games, environment and politics? This week, we get some answers.

We feature two special guests: Aerlyn Weissman and Stephan Danic, who are participating in a project for the Department of Fisheries - they are doing no less than creating a virtual model of the ocean itself.

The idea is for policy makers to use this sophisticated tool, which allows for visualization of long term consequences of their actions. The model is one of few new tools in struggle to generate appropriate ecological measures, as recent developments indicate a global crisis for fish population. Moreover, it is a method of making sound and accountable policies, and is a prime example of using new technologies to potentially change the very nature of political process.

Today we talk about some interesting news in Science, react to the juggernaut that is “The Hobbit,” and talk net neutrality with Timothy Denton, a renowned thinker and writer on the topic.

This week we had Lauren Weinstein join us for a discussion on issues of Net Neutrality and Deep Packet Inspection - the latter being a subject of much debate as, if utilized by Internet access providers, is not only illegal (the law just hasn’t caught up with those guys yet) but deeply disturbing as it is akin to a kind of “data wiretapping.”

Weinstein is a columnist for Wired Magazine, co-founder of PFIR - People For Internet Responsibility, co-founder and moderator of the new NNSquad (Network Neutrality Squad) and the founder of the PRIVACY Forum, which he created in 1992. Weinstein has been involved with Internet and other technology issues for over 30 years, starting in the early 1970s at the first site on the ARPANET (proto-Internet) at UCLA.

I do encourage you to join as many Net Neutrality petitions as possible and get your neighbours and family to do it too. Do it. Keep on doing it. And you can translate that however you’d like.

Love,
Irma

This week we are joined by Jeff, Crystaline, and Julie, all major local experts on LARP. What is LARP? For those who do not know, this is a worthwhile listening material as we explore how tabletop D&D gaming jumped onto live action stage in many people’s back yard.

On the other hand, recent efforts in Canadian Parliament on Canadian Copyright issues are very much abuzz with some stringent and frightening suggestions (DRM gone wild…like those girls with low self-esteem who walk topless during spring break, but with CDs?!)

Join us. Listen in and write us: hiscifi@gmail.com

Love,
Irma

This week, we have Gregory Milne, a jack of all trades, including co-director and producer of a new feature film “Without Light,” who gives us an insight into what life holds for an independent film producer in Canada.

Adam McCormack of Gray Haven Hobbies tells all about release of D&D 4.0. And as we look forward to the release of sequel to Dark Knight, we revisit Batman in his drawn form.

This week’s big news is all about copyright in Canada. We discuss Bill-C61 with Jesse Betteridge, and we are joined by Nina Munteanu to discuss some knowns and unknowns on water resources in Canada.

And yes…we are all about Hulk too :)

Irma & co. discuss Hulk, interview Geoffrey Gluckman, an ex-CIA operative and a techno-thriller novelist, talk to Scott Wood of The Interview Show, who gives us the bottom line of how artists relate to copyright laws, and then discuss many of fun news…including AIDS.

To all of those who sent us whiny messages about severe deficiency of Dr. Who discussions - please be patient. Upcoming show is all about you :)

Send us love: hiscifi@gmail.com

HiSciFi- Irma talks chainmail bikinis and loincloths wielding large swords - yes! Time for revelry in Conan and Red Sonja. Also, we give the lowdown on MDI’s first commercially produced Air Car, a personal vehicle running on an air-compression engine. That and we kill with DNA…literally…

Love us!? Have questions or comments? email us at hiscifi@gmail.com

This week we are joined by Stanley Hyde, North American leading experts on…(wait for it)…Godzilla!

Get ready for the “man in rubber suit” extravaganza, as we get Stanley to tell all live from G-Conference (yes, that would be the Godzilla conference *nod*), and gives us the goods on past and future of the greatest of monsters - Godzilla.

This week we got to interview Joseph Romm, who is a “big cheese” gnawing at “bigger cheeses” in Washington. Senior Fellow at the Center for American Progress, Joseph Romm runs the blog, ClimateProgress.org, and is an expert in field of environmental sciences.

That, and we get really into Dr. Who and adventures of the fourth season, which is, in my humble opinion, the best one thus far.

This week Irma and Greg get to sit with Adam Gold, writer of Greg Milne’s upcoming feature film Without Light. We start off well, but quickly descend into feelings of elated success, promote the film shamelessly and giggle a lot.

That and news. Hold on to your seats. Time for HiSciFi

Check out Without Light HERE
Or just outright buy it and support our Greg Milne, indie filmmaker, savant and radio personality - to get a copy click HERE

Music provided by James Reyna aka melodywhore - Reyna is the composer for Without Light and you can find more of Melody Whore HERE

Love us? Have comments? Email us at hiscifi@gmail.com

This week we feature Brian Code from Koolu, people behind Open Moko release for developers in Canada and beyond!

We are all cranky consumers who pay through their nose to have devices that do very little. Even iPhone, the touted new messianic technology, falls short of expectations.

Open Moko, on the other hand, offers some more interesting solutions for problems that plague us. For one, as an open source software wi-fi phone, it is a far more customisable device that can be tailored to individual’s needs.

Brian tells all, so tune in. Send us questions because we want to probe his mind, like…every week.

If you are a developer, check out the Open Moko, and Koolu.

Between news on Octocat, water on Mars, Captain Planet and more, we have Colin Stewart with his new fantasy novel, A Question of Extremes.

This week we give you a little taste of The Watchmen, Alan Moore’s legendary graphic novel, considered not only a visual, but literary accomplishment. I highly suggest you bite into it, read it, love it…and get ready for the movie.

Great thanks to Adam of Grey Haven Hobbies in White Rock, BC for being an incredible contributor (as always!) and his insider knowledge of all things drawn.

This week we are joined by Danny O’Brian of Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) who gives us the goods on EFF’s upcoming lawsuit naming most of the George W. Bush cabinet as involved with illegal surveillance and wiretapping.

That, and we give you the goods on the newest of TV Fall shows - Knight Rider, worth it or not? Fringe, and Stargate Atlantis. Hold on to your hats, and do send us your love.

Sincerely,
Irma Arkus

Elections are coming!!! Oct 14th is the day when you will walk through the polls and determine the future of technology of Canada. We’ve looked at candidates and political party platforms to provide you with some guidance on how to make your vote count in relation to Bill C61.

This week we are joined by Russell McOrmond who explains what lies at the heart of Bill C61, and provides a great guide on DigitalCopyright.ca blog for each candidate’s position in your own residential area.

So, check you DigitalCopyright.ca and find out who you’re voting for! And if you’re met only with candidates staunchly supporting Bill C61, then make sure you let them know that you are a voter, and you feel very different about Canadian DMCA.

This week on HiSciFi - Superdickery.com, the greatest testament to 60s madness in comic books, uncovery of your favorite superheroes being used, abused, and altered to exhibit…Superdickery! Joined live by Superdickery.com founder Mike Miksch. That and news…lots of news!!!

Send us your comments, complaints and love! Email us at hiscifi@gmail.com

This week I present to you the genious of Denis Faye, writer and co-creator of The Monocle and Jimmy Specs. I was at first drawn to The Monocle and Jimmy Specs by the exquisite art of Rikki Niehaus, the other half of the creative team that brings us the beauty to nostalgia together with KAPOW and BAM! of a superhero team: The Monocle, who is a bored aristocrat determined to save the world and amuse himself at the same time, and Jimmy, an all-American creamy, honestly average good guy.

Denis Faye is not only a comic book writing fiend who, amongst other things, is working on getting us the background story of Studio 407’s Helix (one of those self-sacrificing comic book characters we always have a soft-spot for) but he is also currently working on a film, High Midnight.

High Midnight is directed by lovely Mary Lambert, who is better known for her cult horror flicks which include the memorable “Pet Sematary.” The film is supposed to quench the thirst for *more vampires* and *more cowboys*!!! That’s right, it’s time to see what happens when vampires immigrate to North America.

Stan Winston Studios are providing the special effects, which means that this production will be extra delicious. And the cherry on top? Well, let’s just say that the casting includes Thomas Kretschmann, William Baldwin, and…wait for it…Ted Raimi!

So, tune in, and don’t forget to send your comments to hiscifi@gmail.com

This week we had the pleasure of having Chris Brandt join us live to discuss his latest documentary, “Independents: A Guide for the Creative Spirit,” a showcase of indie comic book artists. Being an independent anything these days is a difficult as well as exciting prospect, and Brandt, a long time artist as well as a fan, dedicates this film to the art of comic book creation.

Check out the Independents.

This week we bring you “some Irish guy,” as well as the live interview with Leopoldo Gout, master of supernatural who brings his South American experiences to North American fans.

Gout wrote an interesting novel, Ghost Radio, in which the supernatural doesn’t just visit, but alters the time line and memories of protagonists. The interesting thing about Gout is that he is originally a filmmaker, and a graphic novel illustrator, and the humble beginnings of Ghost Radio quickly spun into a novel, and then a movie.

Check out the novel, Ghost Radio, here

Introducing Robert Robbi Rodriguez, comic book artist known for his amazing art: Haze, Tek Jansen (yes, we are inching closer to deity that is Stephen Colbert), Maintenance, and currently working on writing and illustrating a provocative independent series, Frankie Get Your Gun!

Robbi Rodriguez represents some of the best of the contemporary graphic novel art. I encourage you to check out Maintenanceat OniPress, his blob, and make sure to glance at Frankie (see illustration).

Now, I do have to say that talking to Robbi was great, and you can listen to our conversation below, or download a copy for posterity. However, I have to admit, that I’ve experienced some problems with the earphones in the studio during the recording process, which is why I’m a bit awkward (as in, I could barely hear him :), and sometimes ask twice about the same stuff, all of which is compounded by my heart’s pitter patter at the thought of most handsome man in the universe, Tek Jansen…booo!!! I guess we’ll just have to have Robbi Rodriguez on again! Awwww.

This week is a bit lonely, so it’s just me, myself and I, bringing you news in SciFi.

Grumbling about Cable TV, introducing new Sam Raimi’s show “The Legend of The Seeker,” and my complaints about Will Smith…that and more!!!

Goblins is considered one of the leading North American internet-based comics, and Tarol has created the comic book out of boredom, love of D&D, and his humorous persona.

Sit back and listen to Tarol Hunt, and learn a little about Goblins!

We got to meet C. June Wolf during V-Con and she is not only an incredible author, but an amazing human being to boot! Wolf travels and often work in Haiti, which is of course, why so many of her stories are filled with the myth and voodoo of foreign lands.

Tune in and check out her upcoming book: Finding Creatures & Other Stories

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This week we bring you the creator of CheapAss Games, and talk talk talk about science, end of the news, the world as we know it, and the latest in TV and film.

Love us? Have comments? Send us emails: hiscifi@gmail.com

by Irma Arkus

Christian Bale went mad after a DP walked into a scene while inspecting the set lighting. The shiver-inducing audio reveals an angry Bale, who not only berrates the DP, but shouts at everyone on the set, including the director. Diva? You decide. [TMZ]

Oooh. And we have immediate update too! There is a music remix, available HERE. Viva la angry Bale!

This week we get Frank Garcia to tell all about his new book, Science Fiction Television Series, 1990 - 2004, and we learn about some behind-the-scenes moments from the mouths of babes: Frank spoke to directors, actors and writers of shows you hated and loved and he shares a lot of inside information with us.

Then we turn to agony of Valentines Day, and the fact that our staff is no good at whole “nicey flowers, lingerie, and relationship” stuff.

Dollhouse is to premier, so we fondly reminisce of favorite heroines and tell you a bit about the new Joss Whedon show.

And Darwin! We celebrate Charles Darwin’s b-day, and give you the goods on some latest advances in genetics.

That and much, much more: Net Neutrality in Canada, Sharks, Spike & Mike’s Animation Festival and an endless amount of fun!

So, hold on tight, and if you have any questions for us, or our guests, do send us mail - send your inquiries to hiscifi@gmail.com or add your comment below.

This week we talk about Net Neutrality with Steve Anderson of SaveOurNet, and discuss CRTCs hearings on New Media.

Then time for Dollhouse, Chimps, and signs of extraterrestrial life with Tarek.

Have ideas for shows? Wanna send us your love? Email hiscifi@gmail.com to tell all.

This week we have some familiar faces from Centre for Digital Media, Steve Danic, and his peeps: Matt Jenkins and Michelle Parent.

The three have been designing video games at an astounding, super-human pace. Designing a video game every two weeks, and then pushing production down to 48-hour period is impressive. Flash they may be, but still fun to play. So, check them out at Big Hadron Games.

Danic also recommends some basic, open-source tools, that anyone can download and try one or another aspect of video game making on your own (or call Steve, I guess).

We also had a brief, but valuable discussion on what the future of video gaming may bring, consider the current economic recession, world burning, etc…

Oh, and we give you the review of the Watchmen. And the goods on Blake 7.

Our gaming programmers, Steve Danic and Michelle Parent returned from GDC, THE Game Developers Conference. They give us the goods on what’s new in the world of gaming, and we discuss the upcoming industry trends and new games.

While awaiting the Pirate Bay court decision, we caught up with Mininova.org president, Erik Dubbleboer, who gave us the goods on why Peer-to-Peer traffic, specifically use of torrents, is such an efficient way of transferring data.

There is also a mention of Garfield and Conan, Titanic, and there is also that small issue of Joe Haldeman’s novel being turned into a film by none other than the great Ridley Scott.

by Irma Arkus

Admittedly, I am crushed. The recent decision to pronounce the Pirate Bay owners guilty of crimes (what crimes, do tell?) something akin to “aiding and abbeting” to distribution of copyright materials, has me reeling in pain. I sat down in the studio on Friday and could not believe my eyes when I read the verdict.

That aside, glum news are neverending, so we decided to also bring you the latest updates of the EFF case files: they have a pending lawsuit against the Bush administration and FBI, but since the fun never ends, we also find out the dark side of the Obama administration work, as well as get the goods on some outrageous warrants issued for a Boston College student’s posssessions. It appears that the world is made up of either very old, or probably, and more likely, very ignorant people, who suffer from severe case of ephiphobia, as well as allergies to digital technology in general.

Either way, tune in and get some popcorn and tissues…

Also in the news, we cover COWS, and use of fiber optics in brain tissue! Ta da!

Send us mail! Email us at hiscifi@gmail.com, or just send money.

This week we talk with Clare Bell, author of Ratha’s series of books, some pretty novel literature aimed at young adults: cats, better yet prehistoric cats, who are intelligent, a little bit hormonal, like to socialize and indulge in animal rearing.

The interesting thing about Bell is that she is currently using Twitter to write her next novel. The new approach to utilizing this new technology allows her to get instant feedback and comments from fans who are subscribed to her Twitter chatter, and it definitely influences her novel.

We give you the latest on Apocalypse Meow: as in, now for something completely different! And the latest updates on the Pirate Bay Trial.

Tune in and send fish!

This week we have Warren Freyburg join us live to explore some special feelings on Doctor Who. Freyburg actually has his own podcast, Radio Free Scaro, and has been working in the tech and media industry in Vancouver, now working on his own web-based production company, FreyburgMedia.com.

We talk shop. We geek out.

This week on HiSciFi, we bring you reviews of Star Trek and Macros Frontier, and a special interview with Dan Payne, the actor who has pretty much been “that Wraith guy” in Stargate Atlantis.

Moreover, Payne is currently starring as Dollar Bill, a member of Minutemen in Snyder’s version of the “Watchmen,” and gives us the goods on his new role in Dolph Lundgren’s upcoming “Icarus” Payne is also spilling the beans on his experiences with Stargate SG-1, and Battlestar Galactica, and even gives us hints on the new and upcoming show “Defying Gravity.”

This week we have Jody Thompson as our guest, an actress who has a mile-long list of shows to her credit, many of which happen to be our favorites.

She tells us of her experiences on Flash Gordon, as well as her role in the fabulous remake of Alien Trespass, a film that is to appeal to all lovers of classic B-Movies, and pin-up goodness of days gone by.

We also give you the goods on Bisphenol-A, and we simply cannot stop talking about Star Trek.

We give you the lowdown on the Pirate Bay Four trial, inform you of the latest case of a comic book collector thrown in jail for owning manga, and more…

We are also joined by one of Canada’s most notable actresses, Gabrielle Rose. You have seen her everywhere, as the grand dame of acting had worked on Spielberg’s Taken, as well as BSG, Stargate, Smallville and Sanctuary.

While we’re excited about these shows, Rose is really amazing in drama productions. From Robson Arms, to Atom Egoyan’s The Sweet Hereafter, Rose made a lasting influence on small and silver screen.

The career of Gabrielle Rose started in 1975, and despite her remarkable success, she remains a positive, yet down-to-earth persona, who is really exquisit to watch.

We ask her about her recent sporting of gray streaks, a bold statement on her age, and get her to give us the goods on collaborating with known directors. We also talk about the nature of Canadian cinema and television, and reveal the details on her latest project, “Shattered.”

Rose has recently scooped the Leo Award for the Best Dramatic Performance by a Female in a Dramatic Series, for her work on Sanctuary. She also received her own star on the Canadian Walk of Fame.

The most interesting bit about having Gabrielle Rose on air with us, is that she is genuinely excited about being on our show.

This week we have one of my new favorite authors, Robert Burns, who not only has the touch for the undead, but writes most beautiful adventure sci-fi pulp I’ve read in a long, long time. And together with Burns, we bring you his new novel, The Unselfish Gene.

The premise of the novel is genuinely un-boring: colonists on moon are the last of humans as we know it, because the rest of the Earth’s populus has been affected by a Zombie virus.

But that is only where the fun starts, as moon colonists seem to suffer from endless complications and health issues of their own: they are not the best choice for human propagation due to long-term radiation exposure, and mental ilnesses, including clinical depression, are quite common.

Worst of all, they are the only and best candidates for survival of humanity, because they have the runaway vehicle: Anita, an Orion-like ship, propelled by nuclear-bombs, is a way out, as Earth also faces a run-in with a comet.

The premise of the novel simply spells disaster, which is AWESOME.

Do check out The Unselfish Gene novel. Not only does it have new and surprising twists to the Zombie lore, but it also happens to be one of those endearing publications with surprisingly cool illustrations. Best of all, Burns not only writes great pulpy sci-fi, but writes science articles for living, which makes his prose surprisingly palatable and enriching.

I don’t do this often, but this time I will make an exception - Buy a copy. Give it to your friends, especially the ones that join the local Zombie Walks.

This week on HiSciFi, with Irma and Tarek in the studio, we bring you a glimpse into past, as we explore 1970s Planet of the Apes TV show, as well as discuss the Aggression Theory.

We also discuss the keyword of the past week - GEOENGINEERING. What is it and what it may mean for you?

And Copyright in Canada - what can you do to prevent corporations mandating copyright law reforms in Canada?

And we give you the latest update on the Green Hornet!!!

OPEN PUBLIC COPYRIGHT CONSULTATIONS ARE OVER on SEP 13th - PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE visit FAIRCOPY.CAFAIRCOPY.CA and send in your responses NOW.

This week we bring you Geoffrey Glass who is an outspoken critic of lobbying efforts by movie and record industry to reform copyright in Canada. The corporate efforts to reform copyright are astounding, as recent Townhall meetings in Toronto were filled with pro-corporate lobbyists who simply pushed out the consumer advocacy and artist perspective.

Now is your time to be heard. Visit FairCopy.ca or SpeakOutOnCopyright.ca

The simple way to respond?

SEND EMAIL TO: info@copyrightconsultation.gc.ca

This week we bring you Starz Animation who made the animated feature “9” come to life.

The animated feature “9”, created and directed by Shane Acker, has been awaited in anticipation by fans of fine animation, and it has set a new bar for animation.

We are joined by David Steinberg of Starz Animation who is calling us from Starz Animation Toronto studio, a facility that made “9” into the animation feature of the year.

We also have Jason Christie, author of iRobot poetry whose work, though published for 3 years now, has only been gaining fans. Not only is his work turned into a theatre play, but there are fans who animated the poetry.

This week, we chat with Steve Anderson of SaveOurNetcoalition and he gives us the goods on Fresh Media Fresh Media, an event dedicated to new and changing state of digital art and media. We also discuss the recent CRTC decision on Net Neutrality in Canada.

Currently, media in Canada is experiencing a major crisis, as CanWest, one of the few and overwhelmingly penetrative media conglomerates has declared bancruptcy due to seemingly insurmountable debts.

Prior to kicking the bucket, so to speak, CanWest did its best to cut down on “corners” by closing local television stations, cutting newsrooms and engaging in mass layoffs. One of the requests forwarded to the CRTC was to eliminate costs by adjoining the newprint and broadcasting news rooms, working with only a fraction of journalists who would potentially occupy a small rooom in a basement somewhere in Toronto.

While the CanWest proposal never saw the light of day, it is worthwhile noting that similar redundancies have been committed by variety of news agencies across Canada. As a result, we are currently experiencing a disappearance of local news coverage.

However, there are select few, such as the chosen panel participants at Fresh Media, who see an opportunity. In this time of economic crisis, online-only publications such as the Tyee or Rabble, are gaining ground by producing the local content relevant to readers.

That said, these select few are neither freelancers nor new graduates with irrelevant, unnamed blogs. They are professionals who not only have full time, financially supportive jobs, but are working in the for-profit media.

According to Statistics Canada, independent enterpreneurs are doing really well, if they happen to be in the upper 10th percentile. The rest though, are having tougher times selling their wares, be it twitter or pen.

The long lost Halloween episode rises from the grave to haunt us…with goodness!

This week we bring you the sexual lives of bats, cartoons, and some major asteroid attacks…oy!

Also we discuss the future of comic book entertainment with Adam McCormick of Greyhaven Hobbies, give you the deal on Spiderman 4, Captain America, and Thor. And we give you the latest in comic books - Sweettooth and all.

This week we lament the fall of Mininova.org, bring you some alternatives to the ever popular torrent site, and discuss the issues surrounding copyright.

Also, hold your breath for Santas Parade and the newest UK show, Misfits.

This week we bring you the interview with the founder and coordinator of Cryptome.org, John Young.

Cryptome has captured our attention as it, similarly to WikiLeaks, its mission of releasing information and documents generally kept secret recently unveiled the shocking information on just how the business of selling your Yahoo.com or Hotmail email account content by said companies, works.

Apparently, it is relatively simple - anyone from any law-enforcement agency, no matter what capacity, can contact a telecommunications provider and acquire a clear history of your IM chats, contents of your email box, or pretty much any other information collected while you’re innocently browsing the nets.

Yes, even a janitor, with a neatly submitted request on letterhead of a local law enforcement agency can purchase said information. But does this apply to ANY law enforcement in the world? Do Afghanistan police have the ability to check on Joe Schmoe’s for San Francisco communications?

Tune in to find out, and do send us your questions! And do not forget to check out Cryptome.org for yourself, and send them some donations for their excellent work too :)

This week we’re joined by Aaron Golden, who tells us of his role-playing game and upcoming novel(s). Tune in for the conversation and this week’s news in entertainment.

This week we have the amazing Kenneth Shea from University of Irvine, joining us to discuss his new project, synthetic anti-bodies.

This major stepping stone is opening doors to a seemingly unlimited potential in medical advancements: nano-particles are utilized to produce anti-bodies that would not be detected or rejected by an immune system.

Experiments on mice have shown the anti-bodies to be effective. Human trials are expected to begin shortly. More on the topic to follow.