// There's a Story About That!

TASAT

The What-If Scenario Database

Applying science fiction to solve real-world problems

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["Science Team Meeting"](https://www.flickr.com/photos/59345957@N05/12994727243) by [NASA ICE](https://www.flickr.com/photos/593

image by NASA ICE licensed CC BY 2.0

Envision: You work at an agency, corporation, or NGO, or you’re a citizen who has come across something… unusual. You’ve gathered a team to make recommendations. There seems to be a clear explanation. And yet, you wonder…

["matsunaga-phxcc-2016-drinks-w-authors-7545"](https://www.flickr.com/photos/94643613@N00/27707367352) by [BruceMatsunaga](https

image by BruceMatsunaga licensed CC BY 2.0

…might someone have thought about this very situation, in the past? Perhaps with an alternative idea your team missed?What if, already in some archive, There’s A Story About That?

A note from TASAT Director and author David Brin

For decades a number of “hard” science fiction folks have consulted with various companies, foundations and especially DC agencies, where earnest civil servants fret about potential threats to our unusual civilization. Aware of their own constrained imaginations, members of the Protector Caste keep inviting some of the top authors of “hard” or realistic science fiction to offer either big picture perspectives or else terrifying possibilities. “You sci fi guys think up the scariest things,” one official commented, with evident approval, recognizing the value of science fictional thinking. The same can be said for tech innovators, social entrepreneurs, and visionary artists of various stripes, searching for insights into where we are heading and how we can design our way to a better future.And yet, there has always been one frustration. When thinking about some real or hypothetical scenario, it might be easy to paraphrase an example or two, but there’s no one place to find truly relevant stories, amid the vast number of past tales and thought experiments.

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

How will this work?

Whether you're an “online native” or use mainly email, TASAT will take very little of your precious time.When a TASAT Challenge Alert is issued — say, “Dinosaur cicadas wake after 65 million years”— you'll get an email with that concise bullet in the subject line.• If the topic interests you, especially if you recall a pertinent sci-fi story from the last hundred years, just dash off an email reply and be done!• If it doesn't interest you – or you can’t think of a pertinent story -- just trash it!No sign-in will ever be necessary, after registering, if occasionally just citing a story via email is all you ever want to do.

Of course you can do more. As a member, you may access the web forum, where your answer and others are posted. Browse and comment and add, if you like! There are also categories for Wild Speculations or open discussion - topics that aren’t highly moderated and don’t demand a cited story. Visit the forum via a link in the email.Answer a challenge, or flush it, or discuss it – TASAT is designed to be an easy way for busy folks like you to keep an eye open for something fun... or else maybe… just maybe someday world-changing.THE GIST: WHEN YOU SIGN UP, YOU CAN EXPECT OCCASIONAL EMAILS TO EITHER FLUSH OR ANSWER. THAT’S BASICALLY IT. *NOW… care to join and help sci fi to help the world be ready for the unexpected? **

* This email behavior can be changed if you wish.
More info is available within the forum — and you can email admin@tasat.org if you need help.** Unexpected… except by sci fi readers and writers! ;-)
 

You can be part of this informal network

The only required qualification? Having read a lot of stories! Watched a lot of flicks. Played bunches of realistic games.

There may come a time when you—by pointing to some obscure tale—could help to save the world!

Facing a real-world problem?

TASAT is affiliated with the Arthur C. Clarke Center for Human Imagination at UC San Diego.

TASAT site status
Header image credits
All text © David Brin and TASAT. All rights reserved.

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

["Science Team Meeting"](https://www.flickr.com/photos/59345957@N05/12994727243) by [NASA ICE](https://www.flickr.com/photos/593

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

Header image credits

Header image credits

You can be part of this informal network

The only required qualification? Having read a lot of stories! Watched a lot of flicks. Played bunches of realistic games. There may come a time when you—by pointing to some obscure tale—could help to save the world!

Sign up for TASAT news and to be notified when the site is launched and open for submissions.Your address will not be used for any other purposes or shared with any 3rd parties.

Submit your TASAT Challenge

There are two ways to enlist the aid of TASAT:

1. Join the Forum

If you are able, join the TASAT Forum to submit your question.

  • You will be verified via email and receive a personal account.

  • Questions are posted immediately—though subject to moderation.

  • You will be notified by email of any responses.

2. Use this form

If time is of the essence, you may use this form to submit your question.

  • Submissions will be reviewed before being published.

  • You will be notified by email of any responses if you include a valid email address.

  • If you do not use a valid email address, you must visit forum.tasat.org to check for your Challenge and any responses. No login is required to view the forum.

The form below will submit your topic to the TASAT forum administrator for review and posting.If you don't want to provide your real name, you are free to use an alias or handle.To receive email responses, include a valid email address. If you do not use a valid email address, you must visit forum.tasat.org to view your topic and any answers provided.

Submit your TASAT Challenge 2

There are two ways to enlist the aid of TASAT:

1. Join the Forum

If you are able, join the TASAT Forum to submit your question.

  • You will be verified via email and receive a personal account.

  • Questions are posted immediately—though subject to moderation.

  • You will be notified by email of any responses.

2. Use this form

If time is of the essence, you may use this form to submit your question.

  • Submissions will be reviewed before being published.

  • You will be notified by email of any responses if you include a valid email address.

  • If you do not use a valid email address, you must visit forum.tasat.org to check for your Challenge and any responses. No login is required to view the forum.

The form below will submit your topic to the TASAT forum administrator for review and posting.If you don't want to provide your real name, you are free to use an alias or handle.To receive email responses, include a valid email address. If you do not use a valid email address, you must visit forum.tasat.org to view your topic and any answers provided.