Comments on: Philip K. Dick: Defense Tech Guru?

By: Clay Richards

Clay Richards — Sat, 16 Sep 2006 02:29:13 +0000

When push comes to shove, I always bet on the pink laser beam.

By: David Hambling

David Hambling — Fri, 01 Sep 2006 19:27:32 +0000

“I don’t see any support in the article for the assertion that he saw himself as making ‘serious projections.’”
Fair comment. My basis is Heinlein’s insistence on the science in his science fiction — he was one of the first to try and get it right, and the ideas in Starship Troopers do relate to technology of the time. The nuclear bazooka (the famous ‘Davy Crockett’) really was developed around the time of the book, as was the jet pack, but neither caught on.
Phil K Dick was on another planet and I’m very doubtful that his ideas came from anywhere other than his fertile brain.
I wouldn’t say that either way trying for serious prediction, but the results are interesting…

By: kelley b.

kelley b. — Fri, 01 Sep 2006 15:25:39 +0000

Being ahead of the curve always makes you look odd to the ones in the middle.
Cranky Observer said: “…we in the United States seem to be on an unstoppable slope to a society which is almost halfway between those depicted in _Starship Troopers_ and _Revolt in 2100 AD_“
A lot of it depends on whether the Bugs notice us before The Preacher takes over.

By: Cranky Observer

Cranky Observer — Fri, 01 Sep 2006 13:55:51 +0000

I am aware of Heinlein shortcomings as a writer[1] , but I do find it interesting that we in the United States seem to be on an unstoppable slope to a society which is almost halfway between those depicted in _Starship Troopers_ and _Revolt in 2100 AD_. Every few years I drive by Jefferson Barracks and I wonder when Rev. Scudder is going to start construction of his headquarters there.
Cranky
[1] Ole’ RH was certainly an odd person, the moreso as he got older. But I do find it funny that many critics ascribe to him the thoughts and motivations of his characters when he specifically stated that he was writing /speculative/ _fiction_. Which of those two words do the critics not understand?