Ficlets

Fear not, Americans! For while bad guys plot against our nation, there is a cadre of thinkers plotting against them: Science fiction writers!

Looking to prevent the next terrorist attack, the Homeland Security Department is tapping into the wild imaginations of a group of self-described “deviant” thinkers: science-fiction writers.

“We spend our entire careers living in the future,” says author Arlan Andrews, one of a handful of writers the government brought to Washington this month to attend a Homeland Security conference on science and technology.

Those responsible for keeping the nation safe from devastating attacks realize that in addition to border agents, police and airport screeners, they “need people to think of crazy ideas,” Andrews says.

And lord knows, when you think of crazy, you think of science fiction writers.

Oh, hush. I write science fiction. I can say that.

I regret to say I am unable to join this “Sigma” group, as they call it, however: “To join the group, Andrews says, you have to have at least one technical doctorate degree.” Right. Because the terrorists all have doctorates. It’s an Al Qaeda entrance requirement. Be that as it may, the article has the folks spinning off on some interesting tangents, all concerned with keep the US safe – interesting work if you can get it.