DeathDay and Earthrise -Spoilers

[tmutant]

Spoilers...You have been warned.



















I recently read these and was disappointed in what seemed a fundamental flaw in biological science. In the books, the bad guy aliens die, and each produces one young asexually. It seems to me that this is a guaranteed genetic dead end. Any deaths in warfare, from disease, accidents, from crimes of violence, or judicial or political executions (all of which occur in the books) would not be replaced. The race would be doomed to gradual extinction. How could it possibly make it into space, let alone subjugate two technologically advanced species. I like the author (William C. Dietz), and bought the books with high expectations. Other than the biological flaw, the books are entertaining, but I just can't suspend my disbelief enough to really enjoy them.
I guess I'm just ranting about bad science in the sci-fi. This is usually not a problem for me. I can suspend my disbelief enough for flying dragons, and molecular acid blood, as long as an attempt is made at plausibility.

Has anyone else had a similar experience, or have a different take on the books?

[strict31]

28 Days. In which there are apes (presumably bonobos) in wireframe cages in a biohazard lab that apparently any hippie with an agenda and a lack of anything better to do can get into. I don't recall if the scientists had containment suits when dealing with a highly infectious viral agent, but the thing that struck me was how easy it would be for an ape to reach through their cages and scratch a passerby. Instant biohazard.

I got over it.

Star trek V, nemesis, and Event Horizon. Spaceships with artifical gravity, right? So why have gravity at the bottom of a tremendous drop, like a turboshaft? The sort of thing where somebody could stumble and fall to their death? That's dumb.

But whatever.

I haven't read the book to which you refer though.


Strictly Speaking

[Phantom]

Don't forget the old saying that a sci-fi writer is able to toss out one natural law.