Sigma is a group of science fiction writers put together by author Arlan Andrews 15 years ago. To join, authors must have at least one technical doctorate degree. The group currently includes Jerry Pournelle, Arlan Andrews, Greg Bear, Larry Niven and Sage Walker. Their mission? To advise government officials on what the future might look like.
Most recently, they’ve lent their “deviant” thinking to the Department of Homeland Security in an effort to combat terrorism.
“Fifty years ago, science-fiction writers told us about flying cars and a wireless handheld communicator,” says Christopher Kelly, spokesman for Homeland Security’s Science and Technology division. “Although flying cars haven’t evolved, cellphones today are a way of life. We need to look everywhere for ideas, and science-fiction writers clearly inform the debate.”
This is probably why the TSA has that “No Phasers” ban.
(Hat tip to BLR WIZ)
One response to “Science Fiction in the National Interest”
There was a Sigma panel at LACON That largely addressed global warming. This was the group I mentioned to you when describing their plan to hurl mucho tonnage of diatomaceous earth into the upper atmosphere, where it would hang out for years, blocking mainly the harmful wavelengths. Supposedly, they were nearing tacit govt. approval and funding for testing this on a very limited scale somewhere near the Bering Straits.