Frederik Pohl has collaborated with Arthur C. Clarke on the latter author’s final novel, The Last Theorem. It will be released August 5.
Clarke is known for predicting scientific inventions in his novels: In 1945, he predicted the invention of communications satellites, 12 years before the launch of the first artificial satellites. As a result, geosynchronous orbits, which keep satellites in a fixed position relative to the ground, are nicknamed Clarke orbits.
“The Last Theorem” includes a weapon called Silent Thunder that neutralizes all electronic activity in a given area to harmlessly disarm entire nations. Another is the space elevator, a cord suspended from an orbiting object in space that can pull objects from Earth, rather than rely on rocket power to launch them.
Pohl said his research and conversations with friends who are scientists convince him both will one day exist.
“If we can somehow figure out what possible futures there might be,” he said, “you can try to encourage the ones you like and avoid the ones you don’t.”
Pohl said the type of work he and Clarke did was different from much of what is written today. He said that rather than delving into difficult subjects like astronomy, math and physics, young writers sometimes turn to an easier route by writing fantasy.
“Science fiction is sometimes a little hard,” Pohl said. “Fantasy is like eating an ice cream cone. You don’t have to think a bit.”
I can understand that, but you don’t have to think much about fantasy only if you aren’t trying to hold to an actual historic time and place. And you don’t have to think much if you aren’t developing/creating much detail in your fantasy world.