Author Archives: josephshoer

I don’t know what we want to be any more

Posted on 27 May 2022 by josephshoer

My job is to explore space. The work I do, day to day, involves figuring out how to get space probes to exotic parts of our Solar System, so that scientists can investigate the inner workings of the planets and … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics, Social commentary, Space | 2 Comments

Cathedral Galaxy Regional Maps and GM Resources

Posted on 15 January 2022 by josephshoer

Complete Set of Region Maps The Cathedral Galaxy setting is now complete with a full set of regional maps, each highlighting a particular area of the galaxy and an aspect of the setting. Extra lore and artwork are scattered throughout, … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Fantasy, Games, Maps, Original fiction, Science Fiction, Space, The Cathedral Galaxy | Leave a comment

Fiction: The Slow Invasion

Posted on 3 April 2021 by josephshoer

Some time ago, I got the germ of an idea for a science fiction story after thinking about the ridiculousness of aliens invading the Earth for its resources. Basically, most raw resources that aliens could find on Earth are also … Continue reading →

Posted in Original fiction, Science Fiction | Leave a comment

New Map of the Cathedral Galaxy

Posted on 27 December 2020 by josephshoer

The Cathedral Galaxy: so named to evoke an awe-inspiring structure; something built over generations. Eons before the advent of starflight, the Ancients – Progenitors, Precursors, Archaics, Elders – constructed a galaxy-spanning civilization. They learned to harness energies, manipulate matter, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Maps, Original fiction, Science Fiction, Space, The Cathedral Galaxy | 1 Comment

Apollo and Dionysus

Posted on 21 July 2019 by josephshoer

As I write this, it is 50 years to the moment after the Lunar Module Eagle ascended from the surface of the Moon, carrying a victorious Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin up to their rendezvous with crewmate Mike Collins in … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics, Science, Space | 2 Comments

Ethical Engineering Means Choosing Your Work

Posted on 22 January 2018 by josephshoer

I once heard a shocking comment from a colleague at a previous job in the aerospace industry. My colleague told me, “Joe, I think you’re a lot like me – you don’t really care about what your work is for, … Continue reading →

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“The Last Jedi” is Exactly My Star Wars

Posted on 16 January 2018 by josephshoer

I’ve seen “The Last Jedi” a couple times now. And I liked it very much! Here there be spoilers.

Posted in Fantasy, Movies, Science Fiction | Leave a comment

Scientists Should March

Posted on 9 April 2017 by josephshoer

Scientists are planning a “March for Science” in Washington, DC and many other cities on 22 April 2017. Some commentators seem to think this is a bad idea, because it would politicize science. Before I continue, let me suggest the … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics, Science, Skepticism, Social commentary | 1 Comment

We Can’t Grow Forever – so What?

Posted on 22 February 2017 by josephshoer

Two interrelated opinion pieces appear in today’s New York Times. The first is an essay by David Brooks about how the economic growth of the 21st century compares unfavorably to that of the heady 20th century. The second is the … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics | Leave a comment

Donald Trump will fail as President, but we must still resist him

Posted on 5 February 2017 by josephshoer

Donald Trump will fail as President. Let me explain that statement a little, by defining what I mean by “fail.” Trump will fail to accomplish most, if not all, of the goals that he has publicly stated he wishes to … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics | Leave a comment