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"In science fiction one can say a great many things that are unpalatable, … because it's expressed as science fiction you can slip it past their defenses."
- Frederik Pohl
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| Week Trees | ||
| Specially engineered bonsai that could grow in a week, instead of decades. |
This is sort of a great idea. Only "sort of" because most people would argue that part of the charm and appeal of a real bonsai (a stunted, ornamental tree) is that it takes decades of constant expert help for a plant to become a work of art.
| Della's second present was a little seed-packet labeled WEEK TREES. "Have you heard of these?" asked Mom. "They're bioengineered. You know the miniature bonsai trees that the Japanese used to grow? These are the same, except their whole life cycle only takes a week... They're amazing." |
| Technovelgy from Wetware,
by Rudy Rucker. Published by Avon Books in 1988 Additional resources -
|
In the novel, genetic engineering takes the place of the gardener's efforts. You could imagine these sold almost as "Chia Pets" that grow to whatever shape you want.
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Science Fiction
Timeline
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'Gaines and Harvey mounted tumblebugs, and kept abreast of the Cadet Captain...'
Accompanied by a small selection of similar ideas from science fiction.
'...war-balloons, or, as it would be more correct to call them, navigable aerostats.'
'This robot is a creature... It is a manlike being. Therefore, like any other talking, thinking man, he is entitled to a court trial!'
