[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

world he inhabited when he was his son s age. He remembers enough to discern a
place where you never knew who were your friends and enemies; a realm of
changing allegiances rendered even more treacherous by the fact that nearly
everyone told you the truth almost all the time. But not always.
In this world you never knew which of your comrades, in professedly kindred
formation beside you, secretly plotted your deathly descent.
Page 294
ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html
As he drifts to sleep, Pete Armstrong harbors no bitterness against the world
he tried to save, a world he perhaps did save, a world that still saw fit to
remove a part of him. He feels lucky to have survived such a world at all. In
fact he is thankful and cannot imagine how his life could have turned out any
better.
Across the hall, Leonard Gale Armstrong sleeps, a pure slumber of innocent
childhood, once again dreaming he can fly. And in Leonard s dream world, his
powers are such that when he flies, anyone else he invites to join him is
JAMES L. HALPERIN
304
able to fly as well, so long as he wishes it so. The others gratefully join
him as they soar over their gleaming Dallas neighborhood, waving and greeting
the amazed onlookers below.
I hope this is not as naive or dangerous a notion as when his father dreamt it
long ago.
THE TRUTH MACHINE
305
WILL THE TRUTH MACHINE EVER BECOME A REALITY?
Nobody knows how difficult its invention would be, or how quickly it would
find its place in society, but we do know that a Truth Machine is
scientifically possible. Therefore it will someday exist
if the human race survives long enough. Unfortunately, that is a big  if.
We also know that progress is determined less by inspiration than by financial
incentives and political will. For example, the fax machine, although invented
during the 1800s, did not become financially viable until the last decade.
On the other hand, when the space race against the Soviet Union made it
politically popular, NASA put men on the moon and brought them safely home in
1969
using less computing power than you probably have on your desk today.
The human genome project, once expected to require centuries, might be
completed in just a few years because its potential and early successes have
Page 295
ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html
created excitement and support. And the atomic age was ushered in by the
urgency of war.
Most of us wonder what tomorrow s innovations will be. Will they improve our
lives, or hasten our end? Another logical question is whether we ll understand
soon enough
as certain people did in this work of fiction
that a Truth Machine could prevent the self-destruction of the human race.
Any debate or discussion will likely speed the creation of a Truth Machine.
You might feel you have too much to lose from it (even though most or all
pre-Truth Machine transgressions would have to be forgiven since everyone
would be in the same boat). Or you may simply disagree with the premise that
such a machine would create benefits far outweighing its admittedly serious
drawbacks.
But if you would like to see a Truth Machine sooner rather than later, or even
if you just think the idea merits more attention, help me spread the word. For
example, you can discuss the concept with friends and colleagues; write a
letter to the editor of your newspaper; review this book for any publication,
broadcast medium, or Internet discussion group with which you re involved;
give this book to a friend; or recommend that your friends buy their own copy.
In any case, I d be grateful if you would complete all or part of the Reader
Survey that follows this page. You don t need to sign it if you don t want to.
If the
Reader Survey is missing from this book, please write to: The Truth Machine,
c/o
Ivy Press, 100 Highland Park Village, Suite 200, Dallas, Texas 75205
J. L. H., 1996
JAMES L. HALPERIN
306
THE TRUTH MACHINE READER SURVEY
All respondents are eligible for an annual random drawing to win several
prizes.
The first year s prizes include a $2500 U.S. Savings Bond and 10 one-year
memberships in the World Future Society. (Yes, the WFS really exists.)
You may tear out this page, or make a photocopy of the survey.
Mail to: The Truth Machine, c/o Ivy Press, 100 Highland Park Village, Suite
200, Dallas, Texas 75205 Or fax to:
214-520-7108.
Name __________________________________________________________
Address ________________________________________________________
City _________________________ State ___________ Zip________________
Phone number ___________________ Fax ____________________
Page 296
ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html
E-mail Address _______________________________
Please rate the following aspects of the story on a scale of 1-10 (1 is
terrible, 10 is perfect)
Plot _____ Character development _____ Believability _____
Philosophy _____ Scientific credibility _____ Excitement _____
Philosophical stimulation _____ Educational _____ Forecasts _____
Computer narrator ______ Conflict _____ Introduction _____
Drama _____ Social importance _____ Ending _____
I liked [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

  • zanotowane.pl
  • doc.pisz.pl
  • pdf.pisz.pl
  • alwayshope.keep.pl

    •