Gypsy : plus, "The nine billion names of God" ; and, "The United States of impunity" ; and, "Bad pennies" ; and, "Gear. Food. Rocks." ; outspoken interview

The intriguing story of how a bold but tiny group of beleaguered humanity—financed by a rogue billionaire—undertake the top-secret colonization of a nearby star system In this collection of sci-fi stories, heralded writer Carter Scholz explores a variety of sociopolitical themes. In the novella Gypsy , a few visionary scientists, chosen and nurtured by an eccentric billionaire undertake humankind's most expansive adventure—a generations-long voyage to a distant planet. The story "The Nine Billion Names of God" uses a classic sci-fi text to deconstruct literary deconstruction itself, with hilarious results. "Imprecations" is an unforgiving examination of the primary lies in popular culture. An interview with the author, in which Scholz reveals his sources, frustrations, forbidden delights, and demonic designs, is also included. Since his debut in Terry Carr's legendary Ace Specials of the 1980s, Carter Scholz has occupied an enviable, if demanding, position on the cutting edge of modern speculative literature (vulgarly called SF). Proudly debuting in this volume, Gypsy is his first major work since his 2002 nuclear thriller Radiance. An interstellar adventure grounded in the hard science of accurate physics and biology, Gypsy soars far beyond the heliosphere of conventional science fiction. Jettisoning the easy warp-drives of fantasy and space opera, Scholz chronicles with chilling realism the epic voyage of a team of far-seeing scientists, who crowdsource a secret starship and abandon the doomed Earth for the Alpha Centauri system, our nearest stellar neighbor and last desperate chance. Heartbreak and hope collide in this moving and visionary tale. Plus... An epistolary story about a story, “The Nine Billion Names of God,” uses a classic SF text to deconstruct literary deconstruction itself, with hilarious results. In the wickedly droll “Bad Pennies,” a spy tasked with trashing a foreign economy testifies before a complacent Congress. Quietly furious, “The United States of Impunity” is an alarming look under the tent of today's political sideshow. Adults only. And Featuring: “Gear. Food. Rocks.”—our Outspoken Interview, in which a postmodern Renaissance man charts the synergies and dissonances of a career that embraces both literary and musical composition, reveals the hidden link between winemaking and deep space astronomy, and tells you how to steal his car.

Tony Eaude argues that the foundations of a robust but flexible identity are formed in early childhood and that children live within many intersecting and sometimes conflicting cultures. He considers three meanings of culture, associated with (often implicit) values and beliefs; the arts; and spaces for growth. In exploring how young children's identities, as constructed and constantly changing narratives, are shaped, he discusses controversial, intersecting factors related to power in terms of race/ethnicity, gender, religion, class, physical ability and age. Eaude explores how young children learn, often tacitly, highlighting reciprocity, example, habituation and children's agency and voice. He emphasises the importance of a sense of belonging, created through trusting relationships, and inclusive environments, with adults drawing on and extending children's cultural capital and 'funds of knowledge.' Eaude shows how a holistic education requires a breadth of opportunities across and beyond the school curriculum, and highlights how play, the humanities and the arts enable children to explore how it is to be human, and to become more humane, broadening horizons and helping challenge preconceptions and stereotypes. This radical, inclusive and culturally sensitive vision, for an international audience, challenges many current assumptions about identity, culture, childhood and education.

Summary:In this collection of sci-fi stories, heralded writer Carter Scholz explores a variety of sociopolitical themes. In the novella Gypsy, a few visionary scientists, chosen and nurtured by an eccentric billionaire undertake humankinds most expansive adventure generations long voyage to a distant planet. The story The Nine Billion Names of God uses a classic sci-fi text to deconstruct literary deconstruction itself, with hilarious results. Imprecations is an unforgiving examination of the primary lies in popular culture. An interview with the author, in which Scholz reveals his sources, frustrations, forbidden delights, and demonic designs, is also included In this collection of sci-fi stories, heralded writer Carter Scholz explores a variety of sociopolitical themes. In the novella Gypsy, a few visionary scientists, chosen and nurtured by an eccentric billionaire undertake humankinds most expansive adventure, a generations long voyage to a distant planet. The story The Nine Billion Names of God uses a classic sci-fi text to deconstruct literary deconstruction itself, with hilarious results. An interview with the author, in which Scholz reveals his sources, frustrations, forbidden delights, and demonic designs, is also included Gypsy The Nine Billion Names of God -- The United States of Impunity -- Bad Pennies -- Gear. Food. Rocks -- Outspoken Interview.