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Mars attracts sci-fi author Ben Bova

By Maria Cote, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published August 1, 2008 at 3 p.m.

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Author Ben Bova tells aspiring writers that "you can't pay the bills if you don't grab the reader."

Author Ben Bova tells aspiring writers that "you can't pay the bills if you don't grab the reader."

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To write a decent science fiction novel, you have to gather a lot of facts. That's the first piece of advice Ben Bova would offer aspiring writers. In the 119 books he's written, the six-time winner of science fiction's Hugo Award has researched everything from astronautics to anthropology, earning a doctoral degree in education in the process. Bova, former editor of Analog and fiction editor of Omni, will receive the Robert A. Heinlein Award, as will his friend, Spider Robinson, at the World Science Fiction Convention ("Denvention3") held Wednesday through Aug. 10 at the Colorado Convention Center. Rocky Assistant Features Editor Maria Cote first met Ben and Barbara Bova in Naples, Fla., where the couple live most of the year. Cote called her longtime friend at his second home in Taos to talk about his writing career, an interview he ended by saying, "Tell them to go out and buy Mars Life, kiddo." Because the second thing Bova (whose Mars Life reaches stores next week) would tell an aspiring science fiction writer is that you can't pay the bills if you don't grab the reader.

You accurately predicted the presence of water on Mars. In Mars Life, you explore the possibility of an ancient race on the planet that was wiped out thousands of years ago. What prompted you to take that leap?

We knew there was water on Mars: Ice caps were there. It's not liquid, but it's water. The leap about intelligent life is fiction, but nobody can prove it's wrong - we haven't been there. There might be microscopic life below ground. There are all kinds of strange life forms here on Earth, and there's no reason to think there wasn't life, or isn't life, on Mars now. Where there's water on Earth, there's life.

In your books, you regularly explore the debate between science, religion and politics and how some segments of society fear discoveries that might force them to rethink their beliefs. How big of a problem is that right now?

Enormous. In many ways it's a hidden problem, but there are areas like stem cell research where deep religious convictions are a danger. Science says, "We don't know the answer to the question, but we'll try to find out." Religion says, "We do know, and we'll fight anything that conflicts with our beliefs." More and more, this country is moving away from science and toward the irrational. When I was a kid, many people died of whooping cough. Not anymore. Scientists - who work very hard and get little in the way of financial returns - are responsible for the advantages we have.

The effects of global warming show up in Mars Life, with people battling over higher ground as coastlines begin to submerge. How imminent do you think that threat is? That your Sunshine State home might soon return to wetlands?

Florida is due for a big soaking. Global warming is real. People argue over what's causing it, but the reality is sea levels are going to rise. States like Florida, where I live part of the year, are going to go under water. And I don't think there's much we can do about it. Large migrations of people will move. I keep telling my friends in Florida: "Obtain the scuba rights to your building." Within 50 years, you'll see real changes in sea level.

You have a new collection called Laugh Lines that explores the comic possibilities of science. What are some of the unintended consequences of technology you explored?

There's a story in USA Today about several of our Olympic athletes who are over 40. This is the result of better health care, better nutrition; 60 is the new 50. We're living longer and more vigorous lives. We're also adding more people to the world's population, and that can be a problem.

I've witnessed you correctly answer every question on Jeopardy before even the sharpest contestants. How do you keep your mind sharp? But first, help me make my point: What's the temperature of the surface of Mars?

That depends on where you're located and when. In summer, if you're on the equator, up to 70 degrees Fahrenheit during the day. At night, it might drop to 100 below zero. The Martian atmosphere is very thin, so it holds no heat. And as to your other question, you have to keep using your mind. You exercise it. When you're writing, you're always learning about new things.

If you go

* What: "Denvention3" World Science Fiction Convention, a gathering of fans, authors, moviemakers and others to celebrate and discuss the science fiction genre

* When, where: Wednesday through Aug. 10, Colorado Convention Center

* Tickets: One-day memberships will be available at the door during the convention (Wednesday, $55; Thursday, $75; Friday, $85; Aug. 9, $85; Aug. 10, $35)

* Schedule: denvention.org

Mars Life

* What: The latest book by Ben Bova (Tor Books, $24); in bookstores Tuesday

* Meet the author: Bova will hold a discussion and book-signing at 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Tattered Cover Highlands Ranch, 9315 Dorchester St.; 303-470-7050

* Night with a Futurist: Bova's topic will be "How to win the war against terrorism, save the space program, and alienate all your friends." 6:30-9 p.m. Wednesday. Free for DaVinci Institute members, $25 for others, CB & Potts, 1257 W. 120th Ave., Westminster; nightwithafuturist.com

Comments

  • August 4, 2008

    9:58 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    kevinjjones writes:

    'Enormous. In many ways it's a hidden problem, but there are areas like stem cell research where deep religious convictions are a danger. Science says, "We don't know the answer to the question, but we'll try to find out." Religion says, "We do know, and we'll fight anything that conflicts with our beliefs."'

    Bova's pretty disingenuous here. Scientists are dangerous when they try to expand knowledge and technology by instrumentalizing human life. This happens in embryonic stem cell research, when we cannibalize nascent human beings for spare parts and financial gain.

    Apparently Guy Consolmagno, a Jesuit astronomer at the Vatican and science writer, will be speaking at CU-Boulder this weekend. He'd be a nice guy to interview to balance Bova's superficial scientism.