The following is a discussion essay written for my Ethical Issues in Computing class at St. John’s University. Instructed by Dr. Noreen Herzfeld.

Imagine, for a moment, a city like New York decides to adopt a brand new technological infrastructure by scattering millions upon millions of minuscule microelectro-mechanical systems throughout the streets of the city limits. This so-called “smartdust” is allowed to go where the wind may blow it, where the shoes may kick it, and where the wheels may fling it all for the basic idea of collecting data and transmitting it amongst its brethren.

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As I’m sure my friends and followers on Facebook and Twitter are already painfully aware, I am, to say the least, a bit upset about the way the cancellation of Stargate Universe (and, therefore, effectively the entire Stargate Franchise as millions have come to know and love) was handled. All I need to say to put the scenario into perspective for you is that the cast and crew for the show found out via Twitter that they were all out jobs. Keep in mind that this was also AFTER the entire season had been filmed and sent to post-production. So not only were the cast and crew not officially/professionally informed about the decision, they were not given any notice to write/rewrite the show to accommodate a “series finale” (and what eventually ended up being a “franchise finale”). Because they were not told otherwise, they had filmed a “season finale”, ending on a phenomenal cliffhanger.

It’s not the ending that the franchise deserved. That being noted, it can be said that there is some semblance of consistency among the series’ finales: They all end with a big, fat, “?”. It varies by font and size for each series, but in some way or another, they all have left us either scratching our heads or wanting more.

Keeping that in mind, I think that SGU’s end is arguably the most artistic, emotional, and beautiful endings that a production could uninformedly publish. It was absolutely everything that it needed to be in every way except conclusive. Save for that, I would argue that it is utterly perfect, and I want all of the actors, actresses, writers, directors, producers, and crew to know that all of their incredible, near-perfect, detailed, and sometimes even mind-blowing work on this show does not go unappreciated—despite what the “powers at be” appear to think (not naming any names *cough* SyFail *cough* MGM *cough* NBC Universal *cough*). Since the beginning of SGU, I have been in complete awe over the phenomenal work done on the sets/props/VFX; honestly, I would go as far as to say that SGU had the finest, most detailed set(s) of any sci fi show produced. Ever. And there is no doubt in my mind the SGU was among the top shows on TV in regards to acting. A better cast could not have been picked for this show, and I to this day miss seeing every single one of them on my television. The Stargate franchise could not have been luckier to be blessed with more talent, and everyone deserved much more time and credit than what they saw in those short two years. To the entire cast and crew: I hope for nothing but the best for all of you and your families forever. I cannot wait to see what your future projects will bring you and your fans!

Unfortunately, as the saying goes, all good things must come to an end…and no thanks to NBC Universal/Syfy/MGM, that end was realized ridiculously too soon for SGU, and unfairly too soon for the Stargate franchise as a whole. The entire “SciFi” to “SyFy” rebranding of the network is one of the most unfortunate turn of events for science fiction fans, and never again in my life will I support another piece of SyFy’s new rebranded programming. Here at school, I do not receive the SyFy Channel, but to all true SciFi fans, I urge you to support the only remnants of science fiction that SyFy has left to offer, namely Sanctuary and Warehouse 13 (seeing as Eureka has now made SyFy’s chopping block, too). Beyond that, I want the SyFy channel to crash and burn. I’d hate to see the two aforementioned shows suffer by the death of SyFy; those shows deserve all the support they can get because they are some of the last true new sci fi on TV today. That being said, I don’t think the existence of the SyFy Channel does any sci fi fan in the world any good at all. In a relatively more ideal world, I would like to see Sanctuary and Warehouse 13 picked up by some other truly science fiction-devoted network so that we could all be at peace with the death of “SyFy”. Forever.

For Stargate fans, there are, luckily, a couple of movements in existence that help us vent our anger and focus it into something productive and hopeful. One of these is, of course, the facebook.com/SaveSGU movement that is (at the time of writing) 62,108 members strong. The other, which I am appreciating the most at the moment, is the SGRewatch (sponsored by GateWorld.net). Basically, GateWorld is organizing all of the world’s Stargate fans to rewatch every Stargate episode ever published to TV together. If the provided schedule is followed, fans have one month to finish a season, beginning with SG-1 Season 1 during August 2011 and ending with SGU Season 2 during January 2013. Personally, I own SG-1 through season 8 on DVD, so I will be set for quite some time! But on top of this with the hopes of building and strengthen the community that is Stargate fans, GateWorld promotes commentary, discussions, and polls each month relative to the respective season in question, and I appreciate the positive energy that the movement is creating. It is a refreshing change from the opposite reaction(s) that the certain “powers at be” have otherwise invoked. I give thankful credit to GateWorld for this, and I urge all Stargate fans to join this expansive community and participate in the SGRewatch (if you haven’t already, of course). Don’t be afraid to trend #SGRewatch, #SaveSGU, #SGU, #SaveSiFi, and/or #SyFail. The more this word gets around, the sooner that we can get quality sci fi back on television and supported by people/networks that actually care. Hopefully.

Again, I want to show my love to the cast and crew of Stargate Universe, and I honestly hope for nothing but the absolute best for you all.

And as for you, Janes and Johns, I will do my best to keep these posts a bit more brief in the future, but I can honestly say that I cannot promise anything…. Sometimes, once I get started, well, this happens! Read if you want! Message me back, if you want! (Interesting replies may or may not be reposted!) Or don’t! For now, at least, we still have freedom to do as we please on the Internet (and this is a topic for another rainy day), so I’m not going to stop you either way!

Above all else, do life for the right reasons.

That is all.

Firstly, Janes and Johns, I find it hilariously ironic (but yet not entirely that surprising) that when I decide to use Mother Nature as an excuse to blog, she laughs in my face by giving me no excuse to do so!

Last weekend, I made a trip home to see some friends and family. For the past few months, I’ve been adopting a new philosophy of leaving my laptop behind when I make these trips home; I am really beginning to appreciate the importance of separating family time and online/social media time. But, naturally, Mamma Nature decided to brew up some fireworks. (That being said, however, that particular storm was quite fascinating to witness, so had I even had computer, I doubt that I would have posted anything.)

After the storm had passed and I was able to head back to my apartment, the sky was filled with the silent flashes of what I have countless heard referred to as “heat lightning”. I told myself, I think I am going to research this phenomenon and then blog my findings!

So I began looking up some info on heat lightning when I realized just how painfully relevant heat lightning is to the title of this blog. Thus far, I have made some reference to the weather in every post (given, this is only my third tumblr post…). I don’t want to tie myself down to any topical rules for myself while posting! Who says this thing has to have any semblance of continuity or relevance? Screw that!

(Not only that, but heat lightning ended up being no where hear as fascinating or phenomenal as I had imagined it was going to be. Check it out for yourself: Wikipedia never lies.) 

But here, now, I sit with a dilemma… Even though I did not want to create a topic trend among my own posts, I have still done so. Not only that, I have titled this particular post with something that is totally irrelevant from its content. As I’ve said, even though I do want to have to confine myself to any topic continuities, I have already begun to create a topical pattern, and I feel bad for all of you, Janes and Johns, because I realize how hard it is to adapt to change.

So, in the interest of weaning you away from the comfort of consistency, I will post something food-related. This is just for you. Yes, you. Feel special—but don’t get used to it! Just sayin’.

Click here. That is all.

Well hello there, Janes and Johns! What about that weather, eh? I mean, am I right? Am I right?!

Okay. Regardless of your shared enthusiasm or not, I got stuck in the basement of my apartment building thanks to the combination of Campus Security and a tornado warning!

Yay. [/personallackofenthusiasm]

The good news is, though, I happened upon an awesome find regarding the group Justice! They (finally!) released some news about their upcoming album (what’s title has yet to be coined, if I’m not mistaken). Granted, not a whole lot was said about a release date or current completion status of the album or anything, but what they did disclose was the track list!

For those of you interested, it is as follows:

01 Horsepower
02 Civilization
03 Ohio
04 Canon (Interlude)
05 Canon
06 On’n’on
07 Brianvision
08 Parade
09 Newlands
10 Helix
11 Audio, Disco, Video

What I found most awesome about this article, though, is the music video that they appended to the end of the article! [Re-posted above]

If any of you follow Justice, you already know about the single “Civilization” that was released a few months ago. Evidently, a music video has also been made (previously of which I was unaware!) By evidence of Justice’s Youtube page alone, the music video has been in existence since the end of May, and in during that time, the video has amassed well over 700,000 views! 

While the commentary in the video isn’t anything really new, I still applaud the execution, and can’t wait to hear the song in context of the album! I don’t, necessarily, hope that the whole album has laced with this sort of loaded commentary, but the song by itself (especially with the video) is quite enjoyable and epic-feeling (despite its slight cheey-ness/cliche-ness).

I am in no way in a hurry to see the end of summer! But I am, if nothing else, looking forward for the fall to get a listen to this album!

Alright Janes and Johns! I’ve gotta go back to storm-chasing (via computer). I don’t like it that Security has made everyone go to a room without windows in a basement! While I clearly understand the reasons, I do enjoy a bit of storm watching/chasing. I am well aware of the potential risks.

[/rant]!!!

Okay, for realz. I’m out’a here.

While, I think, I still have to fully grasp the fascination people have with the whole “first!” thing, a small part of me feels just a bit accomplished for having actually made a legit “First!” post! Pathetic, yes, but meh. Whatevs.

Starting this page is just further proof that the social network part of the Internet world is sucking me in WAY too easily!

But guess what!? Today is NOT raining! So I’m out! Blowin’ this pop stand! Makin’ like a tree and getting the *$#@ out of here! Come back when it’s raining.