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One of the main threads of science fiction has long been the dramatization of scientific and technological ideas, especially those of physics and astronomy and their effects on human lives. The purpose of this book is not to survey all of science fiction, nor all of hard science fiction, but to present a few stories that illuminate some of the issues discussed in courses on science, technology, and society, which are currently served by nonfiction books and anthologies.
This book's title, Gedanken Fictions, refers to a basic tool of science, the gedanken or thought experiment that must be used when laboratory experiments are not practical or possible.
Dr. Thomas A. Easton is Professor of Life Sciences at Thomas College in Waterville, Maine. He is also the author of Taking Sides: Clashing Views on Controversial Issues in Science, Technology and Society.
Table of Contents
Preface, by Thomas A. Easton
I. Attitude
1. The Cold Equations, by Tom Godwin
2. Skystalk, by Charles Sheffield
3. Dear Colleagues, by Tom Ligon
II. Environment
4. The Winnowing, by Isaac Asimov
5. Outport, by Garfield Reeves-Stevens
6. The Greenhouse Papers, by Jeff Hecht
III. Computers, by Robots, by and Minds
7. Runaround, by Isaac Asimov
8. La Macchina, by Chris Beckett
9. Learning to Be Me, by Greg Egan
IV. Space and Technology
10. Kirinyaga, by Mike Resnick
11. Cryptic, by Jack McDevitt
12. I Still Call Australia Home, by George Turner
13. Light of Other Days, by Bob Shaw
V. Biotechnology
14. Out of Copyright, by Charles Sheffield
15. Gene Wars, by Paul J. McAuley
16. Down on the Truck Farm, by Thomas A. Easton
VI. The Rights of Man (and Other Creatures)
17. Caught in the Organ Draft, by Robert Silverberg
18. The Newest Profession, by Phyllis Gotlieb
19. Legal Rights for Germs, by Joe Patrouch
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