Back in the late 1980s I wrote a magazine article about the need for larger displays (14” VGA was the common display at the time). Now large displays are common.
When at Compaq in the early half of the 90s I suggested a wireless standard that would allow any device you brought near to your computer to identify itself and load its drivers into the computer. USB did that, without the wireless. Give it a little more time.
I also suggested putting Windows in the new-fangled Flash BIOS. Now you can buy a computer with a Flash drive as the primary storage and, it has Windows 8 on it (Windows 8 - shudder).
All that to say, I can imagine a good gadget that will become reality, but I’m beginning to despair of any advance that requires courage. We are no longer the home of the brave, we are the home of the eternal safety net.
My story actually assumed we’d try again as an international consortium, subsidizing space until it became profitable. But the Earthworms became impatient and wanted to spend the money on other things, so it had to be shut down.
To boldly retreat ... as it were.
I’ll copy-edit the story this weekend and share.
Share with all of us, hopefully?
It would fit well as a post on this thread.
The late Igor was on the “cutting edge” of computers while he was in the navy, and even worked on several space programs as part of the contract teams. One of his “babies” was Skylab.
He could envision things I couldn’t and when he tried to explain them to me, for the most part, I wasn’t able to grasp his ideas. Now, however, in restrospect, I understand exactly what he was telling me, and think how amazed he would be today to see how much progress has been made.
Sadly, if the sci-fi is too technical, it’s difficult for me to read and enjoy, but I’m always looking for short stories to read, hoping to increase my comprehension.
I’m looking forward to reading your story.