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"I share the view of Pythagoras that the world is number. The ultimate substrate of the universe is math. There's no way to test that - it's pure metaphysical speculation."
- Bart Kosko
 |
| Heavy-Metal Detector | ||
| Handy for a quick survey of a new planet. |
| The readings were uninteresting. They showed a planet smaller than Earth, uncharted, and with no commercial value other than oxygen atmosphere.
 (Heavy-metal detector from 'Hands Off' (1954) by Robert Sheckley) As they swung past, their heavy-metals detector came to life. "There's stuff down there!" Agee said, quickly interpreting the multiple readings. "Pure. Very pure — and on the surface!" He looked at Barnett, who nodded. The ship swung toward the planet. |
| Technovelgy from Hands Off,
by Robert Sheckley. Published by Galaxy in 1954 Additional resources -
|
It wasn't what they expected:
"Now this is interesting," Barnett said.
He stared over Barnett's shoulder as Agee brought the ship down in a tight spiral. Within half a mile of the surface, they saw their deposit of heavy metal.
It was a spaceship, resting on its tail in a natural clearing.
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'Our study of your race has convinced us that you are not fitted to leave your planet in the present state of your civilization.'
'...the spreading beam of the deranging ray struck them, and Then one toppled and fell. Then another.'
'Within seconds the material was spread out over fifty yards, in a matter of hours it might occupy several cubic miles of space...'
'The men are dead, but their acquired wisdom lives on and I am the beneficiary.'
'Young people found the driverless car admirable for petting.'
'After twenty generations of shillyshallying...'
