Word Instinct

"Orison" looks to me like it should have some kind of engineering meaning. For instance, the counterweight and the sling together of a trebuchet or such should be the orison. And yet, it is not so.

The More Modern Prometheus

"I have created life!" the scientist proclaimed.
"That's great, though that sounds more like an engineering problem!" the crowd cheered.
"I have decided not to be evil," the scientist's creation announced.
"I really don't see why that was in question!" the crowd cheered.
The End

"That was an awfully short story."
"That's right. You're now trapped in a world where stories lack conflict . . . Forever! Muhahaha!"
"Nooooooo!"
Finis

Technical Convergence and Daring

Combat is nothing but distance and execution. In space, the distances were too long. How could a projectile hit a moving target from so many miles away?
"And this is our answer," the engineer declared as he unveiled the latest warship. The latest propulsion, sensors, communication, yes, of course. What impressed the observers was the mock battle. Time after time neither combatant scratched the other, but this time, the prototype reached out a hundred miles away and socked the opposition with a big punchy arm. Space combat was solved.
The period of unwilling peace ended, and the country sent its warships against the foe only to find something that shocked them: Ships with two big punchy arms. The harsh lessons of war, already forgotten, again were learned.
Finis

New Book Technology

Even now engineers are designing books that can eat other books right there on the shelf. Do you have a plan to deal with that? Watch out which gifts you open this Christmas.

The Difficulties Are Perhaps Insuperable

A pebble bounced down the hillside and straight off the island. Doanu watched its progress while Ferdin stared at the ships entering and leaving port. "You know, Doanu."
"Doubt it." He kicked another pebble.
"I bet we could apply some of the construction principles of our ships to build ships suitable for other environments. Obviously we'd have to make all kinds of adjustments, but I really think it could be done."
"'Other environments?' Come on. What are you talking about? I shouldn't ask. I know you have no idea either."
"I'm talking about seaships, lakeships, riverships. All kinds of ships. Waterships!"
"Uh huh. Why would we want those?" Doanu swept his hand as if to mark all the sky surrounding the island with gold paint. "What are we missing here?"
"You never know."
"Hey! I'm not going up there after you clowns!" They looked to the foot of the hill and saw Ranoal waving for their attention. "Chief Lanneoru wants us! The order came down! We gotta reduce the oil usage!"
"Geh. Stupid oil." Doanu began to tromp down the slope. "What a pain. Where do you think those 'whale' things come from, anyway?" "I don't know. Maybe we can find them someday. With waterships!"
Doanu snorted.
Finis

Toward More Realistic Science Fiction

If you had the material required to construct a viable space elevator, you would be better off using it to trip people and film prank videos. If we're being honest.