December 28, 2020

Greetings Everyone!

On January 3, 2021, I will be a guest on Paranormal Soup, a live Webcast that runs every Sunday night 8 pm- 11 pm PT; 10 pm-1 am CT ; and 11 pm-2 am ET on Facebook & YouTube.

The Show is hosted by  paranormal investigator Jason Bland with his Paranormal Soup team Jamie Damelos, Rob Autrey, Jeffery Chan and Bill Perry Padera.  You can watch live on the show’s Facebook page & YouTube Channel. 

Jason Bland has been a paranormal investigator since 2008 and started doing his own Webcast in 2015.   His vision was to have a show that gave an open forum to people who have experienced the unexplained and those who have evidence of the paranormal. Paranormal Soup has had guests ranging from the topics of ghosts, aliens, bigfoot, demonic possession and anything that defies the normal perceptions of reality.

I will be talking about my new book Aliens, Robots & Virtual Reality Idols in the Science Fiction of H. P. Lovecraft, Isaac Asimov and William Gibson- a book that certainly does “defy the normal perceptions of reality”!

Please tune in on Sunday, 1/3/21- it will be a great way to usher in the New Year!

JLS

https://mwpparanormalsoup.com/ 

December 23, 2020

 Greetings Everyone! 

My new book Aliens, Robots & Virtual Reality Idols in the Science Fiction of H. P. Lovecraft, Isaac Asimov and William Gibson has been officially released & published by Zero Books as of November 1st.

The print version is available in bookstores across the US & the world and, of course, on
Amazon, Barnes & Noble and many other online sites.

The book makes a good Christmas gift; just slip it in a stocking by the fire or in a nice box, with red, green, shiny Christmas wrapping paper & a lovely bow. In fact, you might also consider purchasing a copy of my first book & then giving both books as a gift.

They complement each other & raise interesting speculations about magic, science, gods, goddesses, monsters, robots & artificially intelligent virtual reality entities.

Just the sorts of things to think about during this most festive of seasons!

Best wishes !

JLS

https://www.amazon.com/Virtual-Reality-Science-Fiction-Lovecraft/dp/178904510X

https://www.amazon.com/Lovecraft-Black-Magickal-Tradition-Influence/dp/157863587X

December 19, 2020

My new book Aliens, Robots & Virtual Reality Idols in the Science Fiction of H. P. Lovecraft, Isaac Asimov and William Gibson has been officially released & published by Zero Books as of November 1st.

The print version is available in bookstores across the US & the world and, of course, on Amazon US, Amazon UK, Indiebound, Hive and many other online retail sites.

The book makes a good Christmas gift; just slip it in a stocking by the fire or in a nice box, with red, green, shiny Christmas wrapping paper & a lovely bow.  It was so much fun to write & it will be fun to read.

In fact, you might also consider purchasing a copy of my first book H. P. Lovecraft & the Black Magickal Tradition & then giving both books as a gift.  They complement each other & raise interesting speculations about magic, science, gods, goddesses, monsters, robots & artificially intelligent virtual reality entities.

Just the sorts of things to think about during this most festive of seasons!

Best wishes !

JLS

https://www.amazon.com/Virtual-Reality-Science-Fiction-Lovecraft/dp/178904510X

https://www.amazon.com/Lovecraft-Black-Magickal-Tradition-Influence/dp/157863587X

December 11, 2020

My new book Aliens, Robots & Virtual Reality Idols in the Science Fiction of H. P. Lovecraft, Isaac Asimov and William Gibson has been officially released & published by Zero Books as of November 1st.

The print version is available in bookstores across the US & the world and, of course, on Amazon US, Amazon UK, Indiebound, Hive and many other online retail sites.

The book makes a good Christmas gift; just slip it in a stocking by the fire or in a nice box, with red, green, shiny Christmas wrapping paper & a lovely bow.  It was so much fun to write & it will be fun to read.

In fact, you might also consider purchasing a copy of my first book H. P. Lovecraft & the Black Magickal Tradition & then giving both books as a gift.  They complement each other & raise interesting speculations about magic, science, gods, goddesses, monsters, robots & artificially intelligent virtual reality entities.

Just the sorts of things to think about during this most festive of seasons!

Best wishes !

JLS

https://www.amazon.com/Virtual-Reality-Science-Fiction-Lovecraft/dp/178904510X

https://www.amazon.com/Lovecraft-Black-Magickal-Tradition-Influence/dp/157863587X

December 11, 2020

 Greetings Everyone! 

My new book Aliens, Robots & Virtual Reality Idols in the Science Fiction of H. P. Lovecraft, Isaac Asimov and William Gibson has been officially released & published by Zero Books as of November 1st.

The print version is available for order from Amazon US, Amazon UK, Indiebound, Hive and on many other online retail sites. Reviews of my book can be posted on Amazon.com and other online retailers.

The bookselling chains Barnes & Noble, Schuler’s, Waterstones and others also have the book available in any format on their sites and in store (available to order if not physically in the store). And the ebook is available to order and download from Google, Apple and Kobo.

I appreciate all of you who are planning to read my new book. This book was so much fun for me to write & I think that it will be fun to read.

Along the way,  I raise some important questions: What is meant by the terms "alien" and " human being"? Can human beings evolve into homo-sapiens pluses and if so, do they become supra-human or else dehumanized monsters? What is meant by the concepts "space" and "time", and most intriguingly, is space = time?

We cannot really answer these questions conclusively, but we can speculate about the answers. And that is what is really fun to do!

JLS

https://www.johnhuntpublishing.com/zer0-books/our-books/aliens-robots-virtual-reality-idols-science-fiction-lovecraft-asimov-gibson

December 4, 2020

What I like most about sci-fi literature is that it deals with a wider range of topics than conventional literature.  In conventional literature, we find the usual (and to me, rather boring) themes: love, sex, relationships, etc.- the so-called proper topics for humans to be concerned with.

But sci-fi literature encourages us to talk about the larger issues: what exactly is meant by “space”, “dimension”  & “time”? ; what is the nature of reality? ; what are alternate, daughter dimensions & parallel universes? ; what is a “human being” & can humans transcend their own humanness?

H. P. Lovecraft, Isaac Asimov & William Gibson have some fascinating theories about these subjects.  Read about them in my new book!

 https://www.amazon.com/Virtual-Reality-Science-Fiction-Lovecraft/dp/178904510X/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw5p_8BRBUEiwAPpJO68rXl8SuZTAcfLNkXwtSINyVJ7YJU9HIsJMh0aO5AzS3ncRqab6hOhoChlMQAvD_BwE&hvadid=241612661701&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=1019404&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=8113492486830330731&hvtargid=kwd-138625086320&hydadcr=22534_10353872&keywords=john+l+steadman&qid=1602769397&sr=8-1&tag=googhydr-20

 

November 28, 2020

On November 25, 2020, I appeared as a guest on the Ghostly Talk Podcast, a weekly, unscripted talk show exploring supernatural, paranormal & speculative topics. 

Ghostly Talk is hosted by Scott L. & Amberrose Hammond.  The segment is EP 142: John L. Steadman- Aliens, Robots and Virtual Reality Idols in Science Fiction.

As my hosts describe it in their Introduction: 

“Is our planet going in the direction predicted or imagined by the top science fiction writers past and present? Science fiction and fantasy scholar John L. Steadman joins us to deep dive into authors H.P. Lovecraft, Isaac Asimov, and William Gibson and how they interpreted the concept of what an alien is, and what it wants. Naturally, this topic takes us down a dark and twisted rabbit hole of what-ifs and thought-provoking concepts that only science fiction is capable of making its readers do.”

Please listen via the link below. 

https://ghostlytalk.com/ep-142-john-l-steadman-aliens-robots-and-virtual-reality-idols-in-science-fiction

11/26/20- Thanksgiving

Greetings Everyone!  

In William Gibson’s fiction, virtual reality constructs start out as helpers to humankind.

But in the 22nd century, as they continue to develop & learn from their human creators, they transform into VR Idols as I call them- false gods & goddesses that work to bring about the living death of human beings.

Why does this happen?

Please think about this as you read my new book: Aliens, Robots & Virtual Reality Idols in the Science Fiction of H. P. Lovecraft, Isaac Asimov and William Gibson.

JLS

https://books.google.com/books/about/Aliens_Robots_Virtual_Reality_Idols_in_t.html?id=OuG6zAEACAAJ&source=kp_author_description

 

November 19, 2020

Greetings Everyone! 

In Isaac Asimov’s fiction, humankind initially expands out into the galaxy & evolves into  a race of humans known as Spacers, who are long-living and super- intelligent. 

But over time, the Spacers de-evolve into hermaphroditic monsters. 

Why does this happen?

Please think about this as you read my new book: Aliens, Robots & Virtual Reality Idols in the Science Fiction of H. P. Lovecraft, Isaac Asimov and William Gibson.

JLS

https://www.johnhuntpublishing.com/zer0-books/our-books/aliens-robots-virtual-reality-idols-science-fiction-lovecraft-asimov-gibson

 

November 15, 2020

 Greetings Everyone!

In H. P. Lovecraft’s fiction, his homo sapiens plus – all of whom are witches or wizards – transcend their humanness.  You might expect that this is a good thing, since they presumably become supra-human. 

But it does not turn out well for them.   

Why not?

Please think about this as you read my new book Aliens, Robots & Virtual Reality Idols in the Science Fiction of H. P. Lovecraft, Isaac Asimov and William Gibson.

JLS

https://books.google.com/books/about/Aliens_Robots_Virtual_Reality_Idols_in_t.html?id=OuG6zAEACAAJ&source=kp_author_description

 

November 10, 2020

 Greetings Everyone!

Here are my God & Nothingness Syllogisms:

(1) If space & time are constant for a moment, however briefly, then Creation begins.

(2) If space & time are constant forever, then there is Nothingness.

Please think about these syllogisms as you read my new book Aliens, Robots & Virtual Reality Idols in the Science Fiction of H. P. Lovecraft, Isaac Asimov and William Gibson.

JLS

https://www.johnhuntpublishing.com/zer0-books/our-books/aliens-robots-virtual-reality-idols-science-fiction-lovecraft-asimov-gibson

 

November 8, 2020

 

Greetings Everyone!

Here are my Space & Time Syllogisms:  

(1)     If we hold space constant, then we can travel through time.  When we are time-traveling, we are in hyper-time.

(2)     If we hold time constant, then we can travel through space.  When we space travel, we are in hyperspace.

Please think deeply about these syllogisms as you read my new book Aliens, Robots & Virtual Reality Idols in the Science Fiction of H. P. Lovecraft, Isaac Asimov and William Gibson.

JLS

https://www.johnhuntpublishing.com/zer0-books/our-books/aliens-robots-virtual-reality-idols-science-fiction-lovecraft-asimov-gibson

November 4, 2020

My new book Aliens, Robots & Virtual Reality Idols in the Science Fiction of H. P. Lovecraft, Isaac Asimov and William Gibson has been officially released by Zero Books.  The print & ebook versions are available for order from Amazon US, Amazon UK, Indiebound, Hive and on many other online retail sites; the bookselling chains Barnes & Noble, Waterstones and others also have the book available in any format on their sites and in store (available to order if not physically in the store).

I appreciate all of you who are planning to read my book. This book was so much fun for me to write & I think that it will be fun to read.

I raise some important questions: What is meant by the terms "alien" and " human being"? Can human beings evolve into homo-sapiens pluses and if so, do they become supra-human or else dehumanized monsters? What is meant by the concepts "space" and "time", and most intriguingly, is space = time?

We cannot really answer these questions conclusively, but we can speculate about the answers. And that is what is really fun to do!

 JLS

https://www.amazon.com/Virtual-Reality-Science-Fiction-Lovecraft/dp/178904510X/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw5p_8BRBUEiwAPpJO68rXl8SuZTAcfLNkXwtSINyVJ7YJU9HIsJMh0aO5AzS3ncRqab6hOhoChlMQAvD_BwE&hvadid=241612661701&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=1019404&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=8113492486830330731&hvtargid=kwd-138625086320&hydadcr=22534_10353872&keywords=john+l+steadman&qid=1602769397&sr=8-1&tag=googhydr-20

 

October 30, 2020

My new book Aliens, Robots & Virtual Reality Idols in the Science Fiction of H. P. Lovecraft, Isaac Asimov and William Gibson has now been officially released & published by Zero Books.  The print & ebook versions are available for order from Amazon US, Amazon UK, Indiebound, Hive and on many other online retail sites. Reviews of my book can be posted on Amazon.com and other online retailers. 

The bookselling chains Barnes & Noble, Waterstones and others also have the book available in any format on their sites and in store (available to order if not physically in the store).

Starting today, October 30th, the  ebook is also available to order and download from Google, Apple and Kobo.

This is exciting for me!  A second book!  Released by the prestigious publishing house John Hunt Publishing. Released in October, my favorite month, and the day before Halloween, my favorite holiday. As Ray Bradbury writes about Halloween night: “The wind is a special wind this night, and the darkness takes on a special feel...Everything seems cut from soft black velvet or gold or orange velvet...”  JLS

https://www.johnhuntpublishing.com/zer0-books/our-books/aliens-robots-virtual-reality-idols-science-fiction-lovecraft-asimov-gibson

October 28, 2020

 Ray Bradbury writes about the October country: "That country where it is always turning late in the year...where the hills are fog and the rivers are mist; where noons go quickly, dusks and twilights linger, and midnights stay...."

Be sure to order a copy of my new book.  It will be released on October 30th & it ships November 1st.  As Publishers Weekly Book Review writes: "John L. Steadman, a scholar of science fiction literature, provides "an intriguing look at three giants of the genre in terms of how each treated the concept of the alien....[and] demonstrates surprising parallels between their visions."

https://www.johnhuntpublishing.com/zer0-books/our-books/aliens-robots-virtual-reality-idols-science-fiction-lovecraft-asimov-gibson

 

October 27, 2020

Greetings Everyone!

Please order a copy of my new book Aliens, Robots & Virtual Idols in the Science Fiction of H. P. Lovecraft, Isaac Asimov and William Gibson.  It ships on Nov 1!

Publishers Weekly Book Review writes: "John L. Steadman, a scholar of science fiction literature, provides "an intriguing look at three giants of the genre in terms of how each treated the concept of the alien....[and] demonstrates surprising parallels between their visions."

https://www.johnhuntpublishing.com/zer0-books/our-books/aliens-robots-virtual-reality-idols-science-fiction-lovecraft-asimov-gibson

 

 

October 20, 2020

 Greetings Everyone!

Please order a copy of my new book Aliens, Robots & Virtual Idols in the Science Fiction of H. P. Lovecraft, Isaac Asimov and William Gibson.  It ships on Nov 1!

Publishers Weekly Book Review writes: "John L. Steadman, a scholar of science fiction literature, provides "an intriguing look at three giants of the genre in terms of how each treated the concept of the alien....[and] demonstrates surprising parallels between their visions."

https://www.johnhuntpublishing.com/zer0-books/our-books/aliens-robots-virtual-reality-idols-science-fiction-lovecraft-asimov-gibson

 

October 15, 2020

 Greetings Everyone!

The things of the world exist, but only for as long as we see, feel and sense them.

There is the old philosophical question about the tree falling in the woods and the sound of the tree being heard if there was no one in the woods to hear.

Definitely, the tree makes a sound, whether or not there is anyone in the forest, because we are all here on the earth, seeing, feeling, sensing. It doesn’t matter where we are on the earth; it matters only that we are, somewhere. 

The atmosphere of humans makes it all real: the forest, the tree, the listener.  And that same atmosphere, in turn, makes possible the posing of silly questions such as these.

But, of course, the fact that we even need to pose questions at all illustrates how far we are from actually seeing, feeling, or sensing.

JLS

By the way, if you purchase my new book on Amazon, you can leave a review- do this if you can; I'd love to hear from my friends & colleagues if they liked the book- it sure was a fun book to write!

https://www.amazon.com/Virtual-Reality-Science-Fiction-Lovecraft/dp/178904510X/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw5p_8BRBUEiwAPpJO68rXl8SuZTAcfLNkXwtSINyVJ7YJU9HIsJMh0aO5AzS3ncRqab6hOhoChlMQAvD_BwE&hvadid=241612661701&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=1019404&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=8113492486830330731&hvtargid=kwd-138625086320&hydadcr=22534_10353872&keywords=john+l+steadman&qid=1602769397&sr=8-1&tag=googhydr-20

October 6, 2020

Greetings !

Initiation is a passage from one type of life to another type of life, and the movement is always presumed to be from a lower to a higher level.

But there is no up or down in the universe & the spiritual voyager often finds herself in a hell rather than a heaven.

Consider Balberith, ex-princess of the heavenly Cherubim & now, after the Fall of Satan, high priestess & mistress of ceremonies in the infernal realms.

Balberith is spoken of as an evil demoness, inciting men & women to murder.  But this is not so. Balberith is an initiator; she oversees the transition as the human being moves from one type of life to the next. 

And Balberith, perhaps, will be with you if you summon her to protect & guide you on your quest.  Not from this life to Hell, but from this life to Heaven & and then to whatever lies beyond.

Check out  my new book, by the way; it is filled with insights such as the above.  Pre-order it now from any online source that sells books!

JLS

https://www.amazon.com/Virtual-Reality-Science-Fiction-Lovecraft/dp/178904510X/ref=pd_lpo_14_t_1/135-4123950-1425408?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=178904510X&pd_rd_r=4584b672-6363-4b34-ab42-8da5e154901a&pd_rd_w=lr20H&pd_rd_wg=sQwKe&pf_rd_p=7b36d496-f366-4631-94d3-61b87b52511b&pf_rd_r=074J01NCD3M0HK43PBYZ&psc=1&refRID=074J01NCD3M0HK43PBYZ

September 30, 2020

 

Greetings to my friends & colleagues !

In Aliens, Robots & Virtual Reality Idols in the Science Fiction of H. P. Lovecraft, Isaac Asimov and William Gibson, I argue that artificially intelligent robots cannot help but  evolve into human beings over the course of their existence (which is very long, much longer than our own).

And that, in turn, these robots cannot help but evolve into alien beings.  And alien beings are usually not our friends.  Their goals & their purposes tend to work against our interests.

So, ask yourself: is this is okay?  Are our interests something that should, perhaps, be rejected for the great good of the cosmos?  There is much talk of systemic racism & other evils that are attributed to human-kind.  Is it time for humans to be retired?

Let's have some thoughts about this.

JLS

https://books.google.com/books/about/Aliens_Robots_Virtual_Reality_Idols_in_t.html?id=OuG6zAEACAAJ&source=kp_author_description

 

September 29, 2020

Greetings Everyone!

My new book is coming out on October 30, 2020- at the end of my favorite month!  

It is a fun, enjoyable read!

You can pre-order it as a print copy or as an e-book right now.  Please check it out! It is available everywhere on-line: Amazon, Google Books, Walmart.com, etc., or order it directly from my publishers- Zero Books.

If you liked my first book, H. P. Lovecraft & the Black Magickal Tradition, you will really love this new one; as Professor Carl H. Sederholm writes about it: The book ..." is an insightful and interesting read that offers a new perspective on each author while also focusing on what it means to be human in an increasingly strange world.” 

JLS

https://books.google.com/books/about/Aliens_Robots_Virtual_Reality_Idols_in_t.html?id=OuG6zAEACAAJ&source=kp_author_description

September 23, 2020

Greetings Friends!

I have received several wonderful reviews for my new book Aliens, Robots & Virtual Reality Idols in the Science Fiction of H. P. Lovecraft, Isaac Asimov and William Gibson.  These are from leading scholars, academics & writers who deal with the same deliciously dark themes & topics as I do, and I think, as all of you do as well.

Here is one of the reviews:

“Steadman’s comprehensive guide wrestles with the concept of the ‘alien’, applying cutting edge theoretical and philosophical ideas to the work of some of the greats of Science Fiction to arrive at a set of exciting new discoveries about what the genre says it means to be ‘human’. Reading Aliens, Robots and Virtual Reality Idols guarantees that you will never look at the writing of Lovecraft, Asimov or Gibson in the same way again.” - David Simmons, University of Northampton, Northamptonshire, UK.

Professor Simmons is a great scholar & I am so flattered by these comments. 

I hope that each of you will check out the book & see if you are able, in fact, to “look at the writings of Lovecraft, Asimov or Gibson the same way again.”

But most important, I want you to make up your own mind when you read the book (or, indeed, any book). 

There is nothing better than an objective, independent evaluation on the part of an intelligent reader- this is the ultimate point of departure.

JLS

https://www.bookdepository.com/Aliens-Robots-Virtual-Reality-Idols-Science-Fiction-H-P-Lovecraft-Isaac-Asimov-William-Gibson-John-L-Steadman/9781789045109

September 16, 2020

Greetings!

A truism among educators is that the only stupid question is the question that remains unasked.  And this is true for the most part, but only when the questions are small questions.

When it comes to the larger questions, the things that we really want to know about and understand, when we ask our question, by the time we get an answer it is always too late.

It is late, and hopes, often, have died, and love, frequently, has been lost, and death has come quietly or harshly, as it often does, and taken away the things that we love to a place where we will never see them again. 

We should get in the habit of not asking the larger questions, but instead, seeking out the answers for ourselves. By doing this, we free ourselves from time and the constraints that come with it. 

And when we get our answers, hopes are fulfilled and love regained and the dead things that we loved are suddenly alive in a place of life everlasting which is easily reached when we are eventually allowed to join them.

JLS

September 2, 2020

My new book: Aliens, Robots & Virtual Reality Idols in the Science Fiction of H. P. Lovecraft, Isaac Asimov and William Gibson can now be pre-ordered.

It is available from my publishers, and also, on Google Books, Amazon, Waterstones, Thrift Books and Walmart.com.

Please pick up a copy- it was fun to write & you will enjoy reading it (books that are fun to write are always fun to read).

In the book, I demonstrate that there is ultimately little difference between alien indifferentism & alien inclusionism in the fictional works of these three great writers; the robots and the VR idols evolve into monsters whose actions bring about outcomes which are every bit as terrifying as anything in Lovecraft’s work.

Best wishes everyone!

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Aliens-Robots-Virtual-Reality-Idols-in-the-Science-Fiction-of-H-P-Lovecraft-Isaac-Asimov-and-William-Gibson-Paperback/664496939

August 13, 2020

 Greetings Friends!

The Incommensurable means anything “out there” past the  imagined parameters of space & time.  Similarly, the incommensurable can be used to refer to anything that isn’t human and could never be human, and likewise, for anything incompatible with the human-centric, irrespective of how valiantly individual humans labor to humanize it.

H. P.  Lovecraft, Isaac Asimov and William Gibson see the incommensurable for what it is and, more importantly, for what it isn’t.  This is exactly what I have tried to do (and I think succeeded in doing) in my new book Aliens, Robots & Virtual Reality Idols in the Science Fiction of H. P. Lovecraft, Isaac Asimov and William Gibson.

If you are interested in the incommensurable and in knowing more about it, please check out my book.  You can pre-order it everywhere- Amazon, Zero Books, Google Books & various other online sites.  You can get it even at Walmart (I still can't believe that Walmart is carrying my book!)

JLS 

                                           

https://www.amazon.com/Virtual-Reality-Science-Fiction-Lovecraft/dp/178904510X/ref=pd_lpo_14_t_1/135-4123950-1425408?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=178904510X&pd_rd_r=4584b672-6363-4b34-ab42-8da5e154901a&pd_rd_w=lr20H&pd_rd_wg=sQwKe&pf_rd_p=7b36d496-f366-4631-94d3-61b87b52511b&pf_rd_r=074J01NCD3M0HK43PBYZ&psc=1&refRID=074J01NCD3M0HK43PBYZ

July 17, 2020

Greetings Everyone!

My second book Aliens, Robots & Virtual Reality Idols in the Science Fiction of H. P. Lovecraft, Isaac Asimov and William Gibson will be released on October 30, 2020- a delightful time for a book release when autumn is at its height & Halloween is right around the corner.

Please pre-order a copy- it is now available for pre-order on Amazon, Zero Books, Google Books & various other online sites.  Here is a link to the Walmart site (I still can’t believe that Walmart is carrying my book!- I love Walmart).

Aliens, Robots & Virtual Reality Idols provides fun & definitive, cutting-edge interpretations of Lovecraft & Asimov’s works, and a thorough, penetrating analysis of William Gibson’s fiction right up to his Peripheral series.  By the way, Gibson has just published his second book in the Peripheral series, Agency.  It is a great book- a kind of prequel to the first entry in the series.

If you want a good introduction to Gibson’s world & his particularly dark, stimulating sf visions, then you should read my new book- it will get you up to snuff on understanding & appreciating Gibson, who is still, in my view, the #1 sf writer in the world. 

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Aliens-Robots-Virtual-Reality-Idols-in-the-Science-Fiction-of-H-P-Lovecraft-Isaac-Asimov-and-William-Gibson-Paperback/664496939

JLS

June 6, 2020

At the end of May, I did my first YouTube interview for my new book Aliens, Robots & Virtual Reality Idols in the Science Fiction of H. P. Lovecraft, Isaac Asimov and William Gibson.

The interview was with Douglas Lain of Zero Books Livestream; we had a stimulating discussion about my book, space, time, quantum physics, magic, occultism & the eventual fate of the universe.

Please check it out!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7Q9R3_7Oqk

May 8, 2020

My new book: Aliens, Robots & Virtual Reality Idols in the Science Fiction of H. P. Lovecraft, Isaac Asimov and William Gibson can now be pre-ordered; it is available from my publishers, and also, on Google Books, Amazon, Waterstones, Thriftbooks and even Walmart.com.  Please pick up a copy- it was fun to write & will be a lot of fun to read.

I demonstrate that there is ultimately little difference between alien indifferentism & alien inclusionism in the fictional works of these three great writers; the robots and the VR idols evolve into monsters whose actions bring about outcomes which are every bit as terrifying as anything in Lovecraft’s work.

Best wishes everyone!

JLS

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Aliens-Robots-Virtual-Reality-Idols-in-the-Science-Fiction-of-H-P-Lovecraft-Isaac-Asimov-and-William-Gibson-Paperback/664496939

April 11, 2020

Easter Morning

She stood in front of the tomb, thinking. The stone had been rolled aside. The tomb was empty.

There was nothing there.

So, she left. She walked in the woods. And the birds were singing. And the dawn was breaking.

It was early spring.

It was, in many ways, Him. And in other ways, it wasn't.

After a time, she became tired & laid against a tree and fell asleep.

Then, the angels came.

They had come to take her with them, if she had been unable to go further. But she was dreaming & she was happy. So, the angels left.

On Earth, the bliss comes & goes, comes & goes.

And the angels accept this.  And she accepts it.

John L. Steadman

April 2, 2020

The Creation & Nothingness Syllogisms

If space & time are constant for a moment, however briefly, then creation begins & begins, again & again.

If space & time are constant forever, then there is nothingness.

JLS

March 22,2020

The Space & Time Syllogisms

If we hold space constant, then we can travel through time. When we time travel, we are in hypertime.

If we hold time constant, then we can travel through space. When we space travel, we are in hyperspace.

JLS

March 11, 2020

Greetings Everyone!

My new book: Aliens, Robots & Virtual Reality Idols in the Science Fiction of H.P. Lovecraft, Isaac Asimov and William Gibson is due to be published on October 30th of this year; it is a fun, exciting read for fans of H. P. Lovecraft & everyone who is interested in science fiction, horror & fantasy.

You can pre-order it from Google Books, as well as from my publishers Zero Books,  Amazon, Indiebound, Waterstones and other retail sites.  There is also an e-book available for those of you who prefer screens to paper; Asimov's robots would definitely fit this profile. 

JLS

https://books.google.com/books/about/Aliens_Robots_Virtual_Reality_Idols_in_t.html?id=OuG6zAEACAAJ

March 8, 2020

Greetings Everyone!

My new book: Aliens, Robots & Virtual Reality Idols in the Science Fiction of H.P. Lovecraft, Isaac Asimov and William Gibson is due to be published on October 30th of this year; it is a fun, exciting read for fans of H. P. Lovecraft & everyone who is interested in science fiction, horror & fantasy.

You can pre-order it from Zero Books right now; Zero Books is the leading publisher in the US & UK for cutting-edge philosophy & political books. If you prefer, you can also pre-order it from Google Books, Amazon, Indiebound, Barnes & Noble, Waterstones and other retail sites.

Humans tend to be isolates ("alien"-nated); the reader is invited to question this & to consider the possibility that an alien perspective might be necessary if we intend on seeing ourselves clearly & understanding what it means to be human.

JLS

H. P. Lovecraft’s aliens are extra-terrestrial, terrestrial & trans-dimensional entities, totally unlike any other aliens in science fiction litera...

JOHNHUNTPUBLISHING.COM

Aliens, Robots & Virtual Reality Idols in the Science Fiction of H. P. Lovecraft, Isaac Asimov and William Gibson from Zer0 Books

H. P. Lovecraft’s aliens are extra-terrestrial, terrestrial & trans-dimensional entities, totally unlike any other aliens in science fiction litera...