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The solution? TASAT
(There’s a Story About That!)

Consider the vast library of science fictional thought-experiments that have been published since Mary Shelley first wrote about the creation of new kinds of life—an endeavor that is now coming true in dozens of ways. Shelley explored how that daring venture might be mishandled—a warning that found new variants in Planet of the Apes, in Jurassic Park, in I Robot, and in Ex Machina. Those famous stories already influence discussions about ethics and public policy. Indeed, some SF tales help us avoid mistakes—”self-preventing prophecies” like Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four, Soylent Green, Dr. Strangelove or Silent Spring. A few SF projections come true. Far more of them say: “a time may come when you’d better think about this!”Alas, for every SF thought experiment that achieves renown, hundreds molder in back issues of Astounding or Galaxy, or some novel only recalled by a few dozen fan readers out there—tales that worked through some way for the world to veer, in unexpected directions. Shouldn’t those concepts also be available, as a background library of worked-out scenarios, in case the universe chooses to confront us with some sudden choice?

What to do about this? Activate group memory!

Imagine just one possibility: say when governments and NGOs must respond quickly to a rapidly unfolding First Contact situation, as illustrated in the film Arrival. Rushed and confused by an event with only vague precedents, they gather “expert” committees, who (naturally) leap to premature conclusions.In contrast, the TASAT hub—a loose affiliation of sci-fi fandom’s collectively wise and sagacious Group Mind—stands ready to cite and provide stories published across the last century. Short tales, novels, movies, think-pieces and art that offer up unusual scenarios, potential mistakes, or possible surprise twists, helping our leaders or emissaries to perceive a wider picture.The same is true for the developer of an augmented reality app, the designer of a new kind of spacecraft, or the engineer behind the next communication technology to revolutionize life on Earth. The outlandish tales of science fiction’s greatest writers often become the basis for the next wave of science fact.-- David Brin, Founder

Image by ezhikoff licensed CC BY 2.0

David Brin is best-known for shining light — plausibly and entertainingly — on technology, society, and countless challenges confronting our rambunctious civilization.

His best-selling novels include The Postman (filmed in 1997) plus explorations of our near-future in Earth and Existence. Other novels are translated into 25+ languages. His short stories explore vividly speculative ideas.

Brin's nonfiction book The Transparent Society won the American Library Association's Freedom of Speech Award for exploring 21st Century concerns about security, secrecy, accountability and privacy.

As a scientist, tech-consultant and world-known author, he speaks, advises, and writes widely on topics from national defense and homeland security to astronomy and space exploration, SETI and nanotechnology, future/prediction, creativity, and philanthropy. Urban Developer Magazine named him one of four World's Best Futurists, and he was appraised as "#1 influencer" in Onalytica's Top 100 report of Artificial Intelligence influencers, brands & publications.-- DavidBrin.com

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