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"A good science fiction story should be able to predict not the automobile but the traffic jam."
- Frederik Pohl
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| Stationary Sidewalk | ||
| A sidewalk that is fixed permanently in one location; not a sliding walkway. |
I can't resist terms like this, used to enhance the contrast between the dull present and the exciting future.
| It was the recreation hour, and the common street was crowded with Workers. On the stationary sidewalks, close against the building lines, couples strolled, in the tight-fitting clothing of their caste, each colored to indicate the wearer's occupation. The slow-moving ways that bordered the walks, were filled with younger men, their eyes gleaming with anticipation of the evening's pleasure. Parker made his way across these to the central express conveyor... |
| From Exiles of the Moon,
by Nat Schachner (w. AL Zagat). Published by Wonder Stories in 1931 Additional resources -
|
Compare to terms like groundcar from Galactic Patrol (1937) by Doc Smith, static house from The Thousand Dreams of Stellavista (1962) by J.G. Ballard, post-crime from The Minority Report (1956) by Philip K. Dick , dumb matter from Accelerando (2005), by Charles Stross and inert-wear from Say Goodby to the Wind (1970), by J.G. Ballard. I'd also add normal space from Islands of Space (1931) by John W. Campbell and flat photo from Hyperion (1989) by Dan Simmons.
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