The Tactful Saboteur by Frank Herbert:
Science Fiction Inventions, Technology and Ideas

Not Herbert's easiest-to-read story, it introduces the ConSentiency in which humans live with extraterrestrials in a common society. Saboteur extraordiary Jorj X. McKie challenges the head of the Bureau of Sabotage, climaxing in a protracted legal battle. Select an invention:

Chairdog - the ultimate ergonomic chair
A chair that is alive and partly sentient; it shapes itself to the person sitting in it.

Chalf (Quick-Scribe Powder) - wave the stick
A special powder that forms itself into words and symbols.

Chalf-Memory Stick
Device that organizes special dust in the shape of words and symbols.

Court Robo-Clerk - hear ye, hear ye!
A robotic law clerk.

Courtarena - trial by fire
A combination of a court of law, and an arena of combat, in which every participant could be called out and executed under legal circumstances.

 

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Science Fiction
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