Recent

Cynicism, Recession, and the Resurgence of Cyberpunk

"Human nature might be augmented and highly channeled by technology, but human nature stays the same. And that tech might actually amplify all the worst things about us too."

Marshall Sandoval

Games

Humor and Hysteria in Thomas Pynchon's 'Bleeding Edge'

Thomas Pynchon keeps his humor abundant, but he tempers it, in this look back at our very recent national past, with serious contemplation of what we do when we log on.

Reviews

The Beatification of Philip K. Dick

Fueled by his science fiction work, by his mystical aura and his growing legend, the cult of Philip K. Dick continues to expand.

Technology

The Undiluted Promise of Comics as Vanguard for 21st Century Media

Sometimes, rarely, a work is so good (so well-conceived, so well-executed) that it simply breaks our traditional expectations of comics literature. And this breaking allows us to glimpse the true, rare promise of what the industry can achieve. Davids Lapham and Aja's Wolverine: Debt of Death is this work.

Reviews

Bought on the Fourth of July

With The Homeland Directive writer Robert Venditti offers a deep and meditative work on the nature of personhood in an era of mass marketing. Easily the equal of the illustrious works of John Reed or Jonathan Franzen, The Homeland Directive elevates both the political thriller genre and the comics medium.

Reviews

The Stories Industrial Designs Tell

The Dyson Airblade is launched in Sydney and the wild new world 21st century design writers must come to grips with.

PM Pick

Olaf Stapledon: Of His Time, and Others

To sit and complain about the lack of credit Stapledon receives is to undermine the very principle for which he was writing about: mankind's yearning for community.

L.B. Jeffries

Books

After the Silicon Rush

In the 20-plus years since cyberpunk threw down a gauntlet to science fiction and stormed the cultural gates, its vision has been praised, criticized, absorbed, and integrated into the mainstream. Does post-cyberpunk have something new to offer?

Books

Spook Country by William Gibson

Apparently some critics look at Gibson's work and think, "Mmm, no coherent story, big reputation -- that must mean it's lit'rature!"

Chauncey Mabe

Books

Spook Country by William Gibson

Spook Country follows complex path of post-9/11 mentality.

Claudia Smith Brinson

Books

William Gibson: No Maps For These Territories (2003)

William Gibson is a visionary in his own right, and painting him into the reductive sci-fi corner is akin to missing the point of his work.

Scott Thill

Reviews

Pop Ten

The 100 Greatest Alternative Singles of the '80s: Part 5: 20 - 1

The 100 Greatest Alternative Singles of the '80s: Part 1: 100 - 81

The 100 Greatest Alternative Singles of the '80s: Part 2: 80 - 61

The 100 Greatest Alternative Singles of the '80s: Part 3: 60 - 41

The 100 Greatest Alternative Singles of the '80s: Part 4: 40 - 21

Jackie Chan's 10 Best Films

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Mixed Media

Collapse Expand Mixed Media

PM Picks

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Cynicism, Recession, and the Resurgence of Cyberpunk

"Human nature might be augmented and highly channeled by technology, but human nature stays the same. And that tech might actually amplify all the worst things about us too."

Humor and Hysteria in Thomas Pynchon's 'Bleeding Edge'

Thomas Pynchon keeps his humor abundant, but he tempers it, in this look back at our very recent national past, with serious contemplation of what we do when we log on.

The Beatification of Philip K. Dick

Fueled by his science fiction work, by his mystical aura and his growing legend, the cult of Philip K. Dick continues to expand.

The Undiluted Promise of Comics as Vanguard for 21st Century Media

Bought on the Fourth of July

The Stories Industrial Designs Tell

The Dyson Airblade is launched in Sydney and the wild new world 21st century design writers must come to grips with.

Olaf Stapledon: Of His Time, and Others

To sit and complain about the lack of credit Stapledon receives is to undermine the very principle for which he was writing about: mankind's yearning for community.

After the Silicon Rush

In the 20-plus years since cyberpunk threw down a gauntlet to science fiction and stormed the cultural gates, its vision has been praised, criticized, absorbed, and integrated into the mainstream. Does post-cyberpunk have something new to offer?

Spook Country by William Gibson

Apparently some critics look at Gibson's work and think, "Mmm, no coherent story, big reputation -- that must mean it's lit'rature!"

Reading About APEC

Spook Country by William Gibson

Spook Country follows complex path of post-9/11 mentality.

William Gibson Maps Mediated World in New Novel

William Gibson: No Maps For These Territories (2003)

William Gibson is a visionary in his own right, and painting him into the reductive sci-fi corner is akin to missing the point of his work.

The Dust Blows Forward: 'Trout Mask Replica' at 50

Compelling Grotesquery in Graphic Novel 'Vivisectionary'

Coastal Clouds Explores the Battle of Heart and Mind in "Comes From a Time" (premiere)

Power Pop's the Lilacs Endure with a New Song and Album (premiere + interview)

The Commonheart Share a Soulful Message of Love and Positivity on 'Pressure' (album stream + interview)

Japanese Soul Singer Nao Yoshioka Treks to Philly for New Single, "All in Me" (premiere)

The Good Graces Keep Their Loved Ones Close on "Snow Angels" (premiere)

Toronto's Bedouin Soundclash Cook Up a Ska-Pop Delight with "Salt Water" (premiere)

Marc Cohn and Blind Boys of Alabama Have "Work to Do" (album stream) (premiere)

Those Pretty Wrongs Remind Us "It's About Love" (premiere + interview)

Joshua Radin's "Going with You" is an Ode to Friendship (premiere)