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"the [science fiction] writer should be able to convince the reader (and himself) that the wonders he is describing really can come true...and that gets tricky when you take a good, hard look at the world around you."
- 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... |
| Technovelgy 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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'Space-sickness is one of the most unpleasant sensations that a human being can experience. Not all are subject to it...'
'...I saw a nice black heavy-looking cloud sailing by just now, and I can get the electrical machine out in five minutes to draw it down.'
'From a distance it could resolve the cosmic rays reflected from various substances.'
'The answer to the dumb student's prayer.'
'He had travelled the space-lanes of the solar system for the greater part of his life...'
'The dinner was excellent. It was completely vegetarian — grown in specially prepared gardens in this Moon base...'
'Telepaths had their sensitiveness enlarged to an immense range by the pin-sets, which were telepathic amplifiers adapted to the mammal mind.'
'It was a relief to enter one of the comfortable autos, whisper a direction down the tube, and just know that you would be taken to your destination in the quickest, safest, and cheapest manner.'
'But he didn't get very far with it before another noise in his ear radio scattered his thoughts. George winced...'
