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"Science fiction writers, I am sorry to say, really do not know anything. We can't talk about science, because our knowledge of it is limited and unofficial, and usually our fiction is dreadful."
- Philip K. Dick
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| Selectacol | ||
| A device that automates the interior design process, providing a choice of color schemes for a roomful of furniture. |
Another great sixties kind-of-name. But an interesting concept; it's hard to see how it could be implemented, unless you used basically white or neutral colors and then changed the light color.
If you long for a selectacol, but are unwilling to wait for automatic decorating, find tips at The Sheffield School of Interior Design.
| Orne glanced around at the Bullone guest room: low-key furnishings with an old-fashioned selectacol for change of color scheme. A polawindow looked out onto an oval swimming pool. The glass had been muted to dark blue. This imparted a moonlit appearance to the view outside. |
| Technovelgy from The Godmakers,
by Frank Herbert. Published by Berkley Medallion in 1972 Additional resources -
|
In the novel, Lewis Orne is a person with exceptional, undiscovered abilities. One of the key themes explored in the book is the idea of free will - and whether or not people should be allowed to make choices.
The notion of being able to instantly transform your home into any of a set of interior design schemes also reveals the nature of the people who live in the house. They are also capable of transforming themselves over time to incorporate various political "colors" and schemes.
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| LiquidView Ersatz Windows, ala Philip K. Dick |
| Solar House Concept Unfolds Solar Panels Like A Flower |
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'What would you do,' Eric asked the robot cabdriver, 'if your wife had turned to stone, your best friend were a toad, and you had lost your job?'
'those suits they wear -- call them 'stillsuits' -- that reclaim the body's own water...'
'Now, except for weight and heat, the same conditions prevail in this chamber as in space.'
'there were so many worms and counterworms loose in the data-net...'
'Now, look, let's start with the three fundamental Rules of Robotics...'
'..the synthetic intellects at the Place of Knowledge had far outstripped the minds of men.'
'But after washing and drying clothes had to be smooth - free from fine lines and wrinkles ...'
