John Varley:
Science Fiction Technology and Ideas
John Herbert Varley (b. 1947) is an American sf writer. He went to MSU on a National Merit Scholarship, started out in physics, switched to English and then dropped out at 20. After trying panhandling, he decided that writing might be better. He has collected three Hugos and two Nebula Awards.
Invention/Technology Source Work (Publication Date)

Aggressive-Response Service
An answering service with an attitude.

The Golden Globe (1998)

Antiholo Generator
Dispels intrusive hologram advertisements.

The Ophiuchi Hotline (1977)

Big Computer - wide-screen Jehovah
Just like it says; this computer knows it all.

Millenium (1983)

Centrifuge Room
A small room on a planetoid that is spun to create artificial gravity.

The Ophiuchi Hotline (1977)

Cerebral Microprocessors
Added boost for maxxed out minds.

Millenium (1983)

D-9 Motherspinner - that's a big spider
An enormous genetically engineered spider used to create large structures in space.

The Golden Globe (1998)

Direct Interface - cut NaturallySpeaking out of the loop
A form of computer interface that inputs text into a computer by thinking.

Steel Beach (1992)

Disney Therapy
Letting people retreat to a simpler time, for their mental health.

Steel Beach (1992)

Display-Induced Epileptic Seizure - you looked, you looked
A computer program that flashes a computer display to induce an epileptic seizure in the user.

Press Enter (1984)

Environmental Happening
Weather created as a work of art.

The Phantom of Kansas (1976)

Generate New Phone Number
A software program that creates a new phone number for each call.

Press Enter (1984)

Genoprinter
A device that does a 'live capture' of a biometric skin sample.

The Ophiuchi Hotline (1977)

Ghostsmoke
An advertisement projected onto a fine mist.

The Ophiuchi Hotline (1977)

Gnome - built into life support
A person who requires so much life support, they are built into the chair.

Millenium (1983)

Gravity Train
An underground railway system that utilizes gravity for acceleration.

The Ophiuchi Hotline (1977)

Handwriter - tattoo as output device
A text input device implanted in your skin.

Steel Beach (1992)

Holomist
A means of projecting a commercial message onto a fine spray.

The Ophiuchi Hotline (1977)

Hoverlimo - hovercraft for hire
A hovercraft for hire, with servility built in.

Steel Beach (1992)

Interactive Suicide Note
A last message for the people you are leaving behind - that encourages their participation.

Press Enter (1984)

Javelin
A spacer who modified herself to more easily live in space.

The Ophiuchi Hotline (1977)

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