One particularly nostalgic branch of science fiction is steampunk — shining brass, gears, knobs, goggles…. I’ve been subscribed to Weta’s Raygun newsletter for a while, since the collectibles first started popping up in gorgeous photographs, but this latest (miniature) edition made me laugh out loud. Let’s just say the title caught my eye?
The Goliathon 800 Moon Hater Death Ray
Since the dawn of time, Man has gazed wearily with fear and contempt into the cosmos. One luminescent beacon in particular has looked back, chiding and heckling us like a giant white space jerk, the Moon.
Now, thanks to the ingenious contrivers at Goliathon, we have at our disposal a means of heckling back and then some! This imperious metal behemoth will make a superb centre-piece to any laboratory or lounge and allow you to begin a well rounded bombardment of any Moon habitation you fancy, all from a comfy chair.
All of the rayguns here are exquisitely detailed, the miniatures no less so; you simply must do yourself a favor and check out the Moon Hater Death Ray and all the rest of Dr. Grordbort’s Infallible Aether Oscillators.
This blog celebrates space exploration, human spaceflight and the heavens, through 
My name is Danielle Signor, and I am a space cadet. 
#1 by Brian on October 7, 2008 - 7:35 am
With the intent of watching every episode within a few weeks, I’ve begun enjoying the original episodes of Star Trek that are freely available for viewing at CBS.com. Last night upon seeing various analog technologies being employed by the Enterprise crew, and hearing Mr. Spock discuss the retrieval of data from “tape”, something occurred to me: Steampunk takes 19th century technology and incorporates it into devices and machinery many decades beyond the expertise of the people of that age. Star Trek does something vaguely similar with 1960′s technology. Though steampunk is science fiction that purposefully glances backwards for mechanical inspiration, Star Trek’s unintentional implementation of quasi-derelict technology for its 25th century setting results in a similar past-futurism … if that makes any sense.
#2 by Danielle on October 8, 2008 - 12:49 pm
It does make sense — in a way, most science fiction is like this, just because many authors write from the places/times/situations they’re in, even if they’re not conscious of it, and as such that time’s technology gets incorporated into the mix.
On the flip side, many times something postulated in sci-fi decades before becomes reality. For example, in Babylon 5 they use data crystals for storage. IIRC that type of storage is in R&D as we speak…. (Naturally there’s more definite examples than that; hand-held devices, cell phones, the Internet.)
#3 by Brian on October 8, 2008 - 2:22 pm
When you mentioned the internet, I immediately recalled the way the internet comes into play in the first Ghost In the Shell film. I seem to remember it existing within the story as a vaguely understood yet powerful, invisible, untamed force (for lack of a better description). When I can’t get something to upload to my blog, an email never arrives, and/or Amazon.com is down (Heavens!), it really puts the stress on “fiction” in Ghost’s “science fiction”!