Author Archives: Ry Yelcho

I’ll Take Second Place

Posted on March 8, 2024 by Ry Yelcho

When the gods held a competition to create interesting art, our universe came in second place. First place was an instantaneous, spectacular show.

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Hollow Man

Posted on May 26, 2021 by Ry Yelcho

As we walked the darkened streets of San Diegowe got a bit lost finding our hotel Wandering into an unlit section of abandoned streetsa man approached us from the shadowsasking for ‘Just one dollar’ My initial fear quickly dissipated as … Continue reading →

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Simulation Theology

Posted on October 30, 2020 by Ry Yelcho

The discussion around the idea that we exist in a computer simulation has been recently fueled by the publication of The Doomsday Calculation by William Poundstone and some remarks by Neil deGrasse Tyson and Elon Musk. Although it is an … Continue reading →

Posted in culture, digital culture, Elon Musk, essay, philosophy, religion, science, Simulated Reality, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

War of the Worlds 2020

Posted on August 17, 2020 by Ry Yelcho

  H.G. Wells’ War of the Worlds has become the apt metaphor for our times. In it the alien invaders from Mars, invincible to all of our traditional military power, are finally stopped by microscopic bacteria. That situation is not … Continue reading →

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Antares Launch Report

Posted on January 30, 2019 by Ry Yelcho

Last November I watched a rocket launch from Wallops Island, Virginia. It was an Antares rocket on a resupply mission to the International Space Station. This was my fourth attempt at seeing a rocket go into space. The first, on … Continue reading →

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Muting the Dread

Posted on January 15, 2017 by Ry Yelcho

the bedside radio is off the trump, trump, trump of morning news silent leaving me free to explore the joys of being alive

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Youth’s Futile Avoidance

Posted on December 5, 2016 by Ry Yelcho

On the counter was ceremoniously thumped the open green bottle. A light fog drifted from the neck. We took it in fashion, throwing our heads back in a flourishing indulgence of the familiar elixir as if it contained the essence … Continue reading →

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Why Humans?

Posted on September 13, 2016 by Ry Yelcho

There is no question that for the long term preservation of the human species it is necessary that we develop interstellar space travel. But what is the importance of preserving the human race? Why are humans so special? Is the … Continue reading →

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Mind Your Mother’s Words

Posted on April 5, 2016 by Ry Yelcho

“Finish up your lompers Beck, ya don’t want to waste the good farmer’s hard work.” Beck looked at his plate and decided to get it over fast, shoveling in two huge forkfuls of flatcakes before leaving the table. Outside, Freddy … Continue reading →

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A Dictatorship DIY

Posted on March 15, 2016 by Ry Yelcho

A Dictatorship DIY or Totalitarianism for Dummies To initiate an American dictatorship, first you need a candidate to run for president who has popular appeal and name recognition. Preferably not a career politician but one who can claim outsider status … Continue reading →

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