Anathem by Neal Stephenson:
Science Fiction Inventions, Technology and Ideas

Fascinating novel by Stephenson details the lives of scientist monastics; centuries of scholastic arguments by nerd avouts take place against a background of the rise and fall of civilizations. Vast clocks set the pace for the intervals at which the avouts interact with the rest of the world. Until something unexpected happens. Select an invention:

Allswell
An organic compound found (or placed) in food that calms and mellows those who partake of it.

Blithe
A plant engineered to produce a substance that brought out compliant behavior in those who consumed it.

Fuel Tree
Plants raised as fuel.

Kinagram - moving letters
Small print-size icons that presented a moving image.

Photomnemonic Tablet - blank recording slate
A device that both records and displays images with the same element.

Spine-Clamp - restraint bolt for humans
A device that constrains the movements of convicted criminals.

 

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Science Fiction
in the News

Japan's AI Buddharoid Automonks
re: Ray Naylor
(1/25/2026)

MIT Computerized Bionic Leg Is Part Of The User
re: Charles Recour
(1/23/2026)

The New Habitable Zones Include Asimov's Ribbon Worlds
re: Harl VIncent
(1/23/2026)

California Governor Candidate Calls For Voting By Phone
re: John Brunner
(1/21/2026)

Robots For Hire En Masse
re: Raymond E. Banks
(1/19/2026)

China's Handheld Electromagnetic Gun
re: Richard Morgan
(1/17/2026)

3D Printing A 12-Meter Boat Hull
re: Murray Leinster
(1/15/2026)

China Still Working On Rescue Robot That Eats People
re: Various
(1/13/2026)

Lawyer AIs Create Chaos In Our Legal System
re: David Brin
(1/11/2026)

Chinese Hospital Tries Vonnegut's 'Harrison Bergeron' Cosplay
re: Kurt Vonnegut
(1/9/2026)

Robot Clerks Become A Reality In China
re: Miriam Allen deFord
(1/7/2026)

Can One Robot Do Many Tasks?
re: Robert Sheckley
(1/5/2026)

Atlas Robot Makes Uncomfortable Movements
re: James Cameron
(1/3/2026)

Boring Company Drills Asimov's Single Vehicle Tunnels
re: Isaac Asimov
(1/1/2026)

More SF in the News
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