Just before I left Beijing on 13 October 1996 I was happy to learn that, despite his current age (85) and disability, Dr Tsien is still pursuing his scientific studies. I sincerely hope that he enjoyed “2010” and “2061”, and look forward to sending him this “Final Odyssey” as an additional tribute.
Chapter 36: Chamber of Horrors
As the result of a series of Senate Hearings on Computer Security in June 1996, on 15 July 1996 President Clinton signed Executive Order 13010 to deal with ‘computer-based attacks on the information or communications components that control critical infrastructures (“cyber threats”).’ This will set up a task force to counter cyberterrorism, and will have representatives from the CIA, NSA, defense agencies, etc.
Pico, here we come…
Since writing the above paragraph, I have been intrigued to learn that the finale of the movie Independence Day, which I have not yet seen, also involves the use of computer viruses as Trojan horses! I am also informed that its opening is identical to that of Childhood’s End (1953), and that it contains every known science-fiction cliche since Melie`s’s Trip to the Moon (1903).
I cannot decide whether to congratulate the script-writers on their one stroke of originality – or to accuse them of the transtemporal crime of pre-cognitive plagiarism. In any event, I fear there’s nothing I can do to stop John Q. Popcorn thinking that I have ripped off the ending of ID4.
The following material has been taken – usually with major editing – from the earlier books in the series:
From “2001 A Space Odyssey”: Chapter 18 Through the Asteroids and Chapter 37 Experiment.
From “2010: Odyssey Two”: Chapter 11 Ice and Vacuum; Chapter 36 Fire in the Deep: Chapter 38 Foamscape.