Alfred Bester
publication date: Friday, February 12, 2021 (part of Winter 2021)
category: 
Literature
clue: One of the most acclaimed science-fiction shows of the 1990s cast an actor from one of the most popular science-fiction shows of the 1960s to play a character named for one of the best-regarded science-fiction writers of the 1950s.
explanation: Bester inspired the name of Alfred Bester (played by Star Trek's Walter Koenig) on Babylon 5. more…
difficulty: hard
solved by: Russ Wilhelm, Steve West, Samir Mehta, LaVonne Lemler, Chris Lemler, and Denise Sawicki
Sci-Fi Namesakes: Science fiction is a genre of ideas, and the best ideas are the ones connected to reality. This two-week theme presents 14 real-life people who inspired the names of characters in sci-fi TV shows, including shows with fantastical elements not normally considered sci-fi. Dr. Who, I presume?Similar Goos
Rupi Kaur
She went from India to Canada, and later from Instagram to a series of best-selling books of poetry about sunflowers and homebodies. Go »
David Hume
This Scottish philosopher believed that our idea of self derived entirely from our lived experience, for example the experience of your partner being killed by rogue androids and your captain assigning you an advanced android as your new partner. Go »
Syd Barrett
Pink Floyd's original frontman shocked legions of fans when he was fired for the band for schizophrenic illness, a topic that might make for an interesting show set in the world of the X-Men. Go »
Danielle Steel
This author would never try to steal any ideas unless the award was getting into the Guinness Book of World Records for having a book in New York Times Bestseller List for 381 consecutive weeks. Go »
John Locke
This English philosopher is known for developing the theory of empiricism and connecting consciousness to the notion of self, not for getting lost on a mysterious tropical island with his wheelchair after a plane crash. Go »
