Robert Charles Wilson

Homage to Pandora A Tiny Little Short Story

One of the first rules of professional writing I learned was “Never give away anything for free.” But I’m old enough to break the rules if the spirit moves me. This is a tiny little brand-new science fiction story, which I hope might make you laugh…or not, depending on the mood you’re in.

Why We Don't Ask Why Close Encounters, The Exorcist, And The Questions We Don't Ask

This might have been more appropriate for Halloween, but, like a pumpkin-spice latte on a hot September day, it arrived before its time.

Zodiac Carousel Bell, Book and Candle and the Hinges of American Culture

I haven’t been active here for a while, and I apologize to anyone who follows me. Part of the reason is that I’ve been busy setting up a Substack newsletter. This is the latest post—witches, beatniks, the Lavender Scare, and a movie I watch every Christmas. (Subscriptions are currently free.)

There was a bit of Tipler in there, as I recall—not that I necessarily endorse all of Tipler’s ideas.

Maybe different for aquatic creatures, since the planet is perhaps wholly oceanic? But I’m no expert—it’s an interesting (if purely speculative) question. Sentient life would surprise me, but even single-celled life would be an amazing discovery.

Scientists hail ‘strongest evidence’ so far for life beyond our solar system Astrophysics team say observation of chemical compounds may be ‘tipping point’ in search for extraterrestrial life

Extremely interesting, if far from conclusive. K2-18 wouldn’t be a comfortable place for human beings—more than twice as large as Earth and nine times as massive, orbiting a red dwarf star—but it’s fun to imagine a big watery world teeming with sentient seaweed or philosophically-minded jellyfish.

Very sorry to hear that.

If you want to support something reliably Canadian instead of products tainted by their connection to the US, choose:

—Laura Secord, not Hershey’s

—Maple Leaf, not Oscar Mayer

—Mark Carney, not Pierre Poilievre

Real Americans are all-in for our great neighbor Canada.

The more I see of Mark Carney, the better I like him. He’s smart, knowledgeable, at ease at the podium, and a perfect foil for the attacks on Canada’s sovereignty emanating from south of the border.

The opposite of Poilievre, whose shallow sloganeering is instantly tiresome.

March Madness

Blame Canada Our warmongering, drugged-out conspiracy theory

Best analysis I’ve seen yet, at least from a source outside Canada.

I’d kinda forgotten that this is the book’s 20th anniversary. Without question, the most popular and most commercially successful of all my novels.

Taking a little time for some vintage science fiction, especially the work of John Christopher, whose opus I somehow neglected. (I did read and enjoy his Tripod trilogy many years ago, and I’m looking forward to No Blade of Grass, The Long Winter, and The Ragged Edge.)

Definitely!

A Publishers Weekly article about the near-death of the mass market paperback, and you can spot a copy of my novel Spin in the photo that illustrates it. Sort of like coming across your own name on a tombstone.

Fellow Canadians! 🇨🇦

Consider signing the petition below asking the Prime Minister to consider revoking Elon Musk’s dual citizen status and revoke his passport immediately.

www.ourcommons.ca/petitions/en...

It's Nice To Be Disliked (By One Of Those)

Thanks, Rob!

Celebrating Flag Day today—and reclaiming the flag from the “convoy” quislings, at a time when we face an unprecedented threat from south of the border. (Also bracing for the winter storm heading for southern Ontario!)

An American draft resisters crew, Toronto.
4th from left is Mary M from Georgia. She was a spirit guide to my wife and I.
3rd is Phillip from Texas. He taught me to be a carpenter.
During Vietnam many young Americans came here, built lives, changed our politics.
Maybe we need that influx again.

Trump has backed down…for now, in exchange for some fairly trivial gestures from Ottawa. But we still have a gun pointed at us—the US administration is still hostile and shockingly authoritarian—and I’ll be buying Canadian and boycotting US products until that changes.

Pierre Poilievre is currently on the CBC trying to promote himself by lending credence to Trump’s ludicrous rationale for tariffs. “Tariffs are wrong, but…” But nothing. Quisling.

Trump’s “reasons” for imposing tariffs on Canada are so implausible that he obviously has a different motive—presumably to crush Canadian independence, economically or politically or both. Buy Canadian, boycott American. True north strong and free.

We’re shopping more carefully now that Canada is under economic threat—postponing big purchases, planning more plain-&-basic meals, avoiding US products, buying Canadian wherever possible. This country is worth any sacrifice we might have to make. Canadians have done it before & we can do it again.

Why America Can’t Conquer Canada - Macleans.ca Donald Trump’s nonsensical threats are an attempt to distract from his own country’s self-destruction

Best thing I’ve seen yet about Trump’s threats to Canada.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith visits Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago | CBC News Alberta Premier Danielle Smith visited Mar-a-Lago, the Florida home of U.S. president-elect Donald Trump, on Saturday.

“Danielle Smith, Kevin O’Leary, and Jordan Peterson walk into Mar-a-Lago—“

“Wait, is this a joke?”

“Yes. But not in the good way.”

Number 24 movie review & film summary (2025) | Roger Ebert A sturdy, handsomely mounted period piece depicting the emotional toll required for freedom.

“Number 24” is a poignant dramatization of the experience of Norwegian WW II resistance fighter Gunnar Sønsteby. Maybe especially poignant for Canadians, at a time when the apparently psychotic leader-in-waiting of the country to the south of us is making mouth noises about annexing our country.

Every year after Christmas dinner Aunt Felicia would entertain the family with her reenactment of a scene from Ridley Scott’s Alien.