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"Individual science fiction stories may seem as trivial as ever to the blinder critics and philosophers of today -- but the core of science fiction, its essence has become crucial to our salvation if we are to be saved at all."
- Isaac Asimov
 |
| Concentrated Light | ||
| Beam of powerfully concentrated light pressure. |
Interesting foreshadowing of the ethical quandary of scientists in WWII is shown in this excerpt from a discussion between scientists.
| "I am a physicist, dealing with light and electromagnetic effects. What happens? My practical application of light pressure is now being used to scythe airplanes out of the stratosphere, to annihilate squadrons of men ten miles away... Brains that should have been employed to make the world a better and more wonderful place to live in, have devoted all their talents to annihilation..." |
| From The Shining One,
by Nat Schachner. Published by Astounding Science-Fiction in 1937 Additional resources -
|
Here's a description of the weapon in use, after the attack begins:
Lasers are almost ready as a military device; see this article on laser gunships.
...concentrated light stabbed blinding fingers through the murk, blasted men and planes into crumbling dust.
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and Technology from The Shining One
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Tech news articles related to works by Nat Schachner
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