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"The science fiction method is dissection and reconstruction. You look at the world around you, and take it apart into its components. Then you take some of those components, throw them away, and plug in different ones, start it up and see what happens."
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Trurl takes pity on King Excelsius, exiled dictator, by creating for him a tiny kingdom all his own.
A year in the life of the kingdom-box was hardly a minute for Trurl and the King. I have to give you another brief excerpt on the philosophical implications of this invention:
"You must be joking!" Trurl exclaimed. "Really, the whole kingdom fits into a box three feet by two by two and a half ... it's only a model..."
"...Not an illusion, no, since they have reality, though purely as certain microscopic phenomena, which I produced by manipulating atoms," said Trurl. "The point is, these births, loves, acts of heroism and denunciations are nothing but the miniscule capering of electrons in space, precisely arranged by the skill of my nonlinear craft..."
"And are not we as well [said Klapaucius], if you examine us physically, mechanistically, statistically and meticulously, nothing but the miniscule capering of electron clouds?"
"What, Klapaucius, would you equate our existence with that of an imitation kingdom locked up in some glass box?!" cried Trurl. "No, really, that's going too far! My purpose was simply to fashion a simulator of statehood, a model cybernetically perfect, nothing more!
Consider also this picture and description of the chronoscope from Legion of Time by Jack Williamson:
THE OLD MAN snapped a switch,
manipulated dials at the end of the
crystal block. It lit with a cloudy green.
The green cleared, and a low cry escaped
Lanning’s lips.
For, microscopically clear within the
crystal, he saw a miniature world. A
broad, silver river cut a fertile green
plain dotted with villages. Beyond the
river rose two hills.
One was crowned with a tremendous
castellated citadel. Its frowning walls
and mighty towers were gleaming red
metal. Above them flowed banners of
yellow and crimson and black. A massive gate opened in the foot of the hill,
as he watched, and an armored troop
poured out.
Compare this to the worldcraft bubbles in Philip K. Dick's 1953 story The Trouble With Bubbles.
Will Wright, creator of The Sims, credits Lem as a major inspiration for his program.
Thanks to Yossi Preminger for suggesting this item.
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