Dr. John Grant, geologist at the Center for Earth and Planetary Studies at the National Air and Space Museum of the Smithsonian Museum, and member of the Science Teams for the Mars Exploration Rovers Spirit and Opportunity, the Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity, and the HiRISE camera on board the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, is inspired by Ray Bradbury:
In the post immediately above, we noted how Dr. John Grant was inspired by Ray Bradbury. Dr. Grant recently expanded on his admiration for Ray Bradbury, and how Ray influenced his life, in a fine essay posted on the website of the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum:
Ashley Stroupe, Mars Rover Driver at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory of the California Institute of Technology, was inspired by Ray Bradbury. For a short video of Ray's last visit to the Laboratory in 2009, you can click on the link below:
The fine writer Junot Diaz was inspired by Ray Bradbury. From June 6, 2012, the day after Ray's death, here is a article by Mr. Diaz, "Loving Ray Bradbury":
Stewart O'Nan, whose 2003 novel THE NIGHT COUNTRY was a ghost story dedicated to Ray Bradbury, was inspired by Ray. As Mr. O'Nan stated in an interview: "“He [Ray Bradbury] was one of my first great loves. There was something magical about his short stories. One of my favorite books of all time is Something Wicked This Way Comes. I loved that book and for years I've said that I'm going to try to write something like that." For an interview about the book, including Mr. O'Nan discussing his admiration for Ray Bradbury, click on the link below:
Science fiction writer Suzanne Palmer was inspired by Ray Bradbury. As Ms. Palmer stated in a recent interview which was published in the current (August, 2022) issue of Locus Magazine: "I've been a lifelong reader, but the first thing that hooked me on science fiction was a Ray Bradbury short story called 'There Will Come Soft Rains' in some little anthology in my school library in second grade...I checked that anthology out four or five times so I could copy the whole story down by hand, so I would have my own copy of it - I was just so taken with that story..."
Suzanne Palmer (some of whose work I've enjoyed, by the way) must have attended school in an era when photocopiers were available, so I wonder why she found it necessary to copy the entire story out in longhand?
But having said that, I loved Ray's bittersweet little story "The Pumpernickel" so much that I typed the whole thing out to send it to a friend!
Posts: 702 | Location: Cape Town, South Africa | Registered: 29 December 2001
"30 June 1998" is the date indicated as the opening of the very original online RB Site. There are now 58 pages of names of "Folks Inspired by Ray!" that have logged-in for a solo visit or, as evident with frequenters, have offered hundreds and thousands of posts!
I recall having a new classroom computer assigned and, at that time (April 7 2005), decided to go with the 451 moniker of the past many years. My initial sign-on was established, however, on 29 November 2001.
So, nearly 21 years have been filled with friendly and informative exchanges. Several personal contacts have transpired because of the generosity shared by members. Thanks to all for these uniques lessons, and Thanks to Mr. Bradbury ~ you always said it best!!
