by David Brin
First published 1987
Scientists who once rarely ventured into fiction writing now craft stories that merge their professional knowledge with imaginative storytelling. This collection, assembled with careful editorial judgment, presents tales written by researchers and academics who draw directly from their scientific backgrounds. The stories represent a shift from earlier times when reality seemed more predictable than fantasy. Now that technological advancement has outpaced many old predictions, working scientists find themselves uniquely positioned to explore speculative scenarios. Each author brings specialized knowledge to their narrative, creating fiction that balances scientific accuracy with creative vision. The result demonstrates how difficult it can be for accomplished researchers to excel at storytelling. Writing compelling science fiction while maintaining scientific credibility requires exceptional skill, like balancing a cone perfectly on its point without letting it fall.
Genres: short-stories, science-fiction, academic
Vibes: intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: balancing-act, found-family
Period: 20th-century, 21st-century
Hardcover · Random House Value Publishing