Homeland Security Goes Sci-Fi
If there's one thing U.S. government institutions lack, it's imagination. So, we're happy to hear that the Department of Homeland Security is actively pursuing the talents of some extremely creative thinkers -- namely, science-fiction writers. The Department admitted it needed "people to think of crazy ideas" and turned to a group called Sigma. Created 15 years ago by science fiction author Arlan Andrews , Sigma provides consulting services to clients looking to up their fantasy factor. Its members are all authors who hold doctoral degrees, including heavy hitters like Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle.
The group gets together to dream up scenarios based on a potential threat -- it's then the Department's job to figure out what to do with these scenarios. Whether or not we'll have anti-UFO defense satellites spinning in orbit a few years from now remains to be seen, but with any luck, the next time we see items banned from flights will be before someone tries to blow up a plane with them.
From 'USA Today'
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
The Star Thrower @ Jun 26th 2007 11:54AM
I'd give anything to be a flyspeck on the wall during one of this group's roundtable discussions. Sci-fi writers have an astounding record when it comes to predicting the future. The creative flow must be palpable. Think Homeland Security might consider making tapes of the sessions public? We are, after all, paying for it.
Lone Wolf @ Aug 22nd 2007 5:04AM
Maybe we'll be able to live under water, finally. I've been waiting for that. No, but seriously. This sounds like a fun way to get paid, 'cause I could think of thousands of terrorizing, horrifying events that could (not) happen.
William Monif @ Feb 5th 2008 2:06AM
Using Sci-fi authors to help with national security is nothing new. Back when "Star Wars", otherwise known as Space Defense Initiative was being funded and sold to the public, the Reagan administration used science fiction authors such as Arthur C. Clarke, who wrote about communications satellites before they existed, and Bear, and others to help selling SDI/"Star Wars". Arthur C. Clarke dropped out after a while when SDI abandoned science fiction for fantasy. SDI/Star Wars didn't work, but belief in it against objective evidence, and loyalty to the program when applying for federal positions, was deemed important to one of the most expensive military programs that is still being funded. Some of the rigged tests with homing mechanisms employed did actually work, though not all rigged tests were successful, lol. It is wonderful technology if and when it does work, but it is important to keep science fiction from degrading into fantasy.
Scifi fan William Monif in Omaha