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"The whole problem of energy sources is going to be solved by little solutions, not by some big new piece of technology that does everything. We got into this crisis by believing that we had one big piece of technology that would do everything (oil)."
- Gregory Benford
 |
| Tiny Nuclear Generator | ||
| A complete nuclear-based generator of power no bigger than a walnut. |
What happens when a user of superior technology encounters the less sophisticated? Trader Hober Mallow shows his personal force-shield to a tech-man from further out in the provinces.
| "Where's the power?"
Mallow's finger fell upon the largest knob, dull in its leaden case. The tech-man looked up, and his face was congested with blood. "Sir, I am a tech-man, senior grade. I have twenty years behind me as supervisor and I studied under the great Bler at the University of Trantor. If you have the infernal charlatanry to tell me that a small container the size of a - of a walnut, blast it, holds a nuclear generator, I'll have you before the Protector in three seconds." |
| From Foundation and Empire,
by Isaac Asimov. Published by Doubleday in 1952 Additional resources -
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