> Brunner's 21st century isn't a pleasant place: some
> government agency or corporation is always watching,
> analyzing, pattern matching and searching for breaches
> of apparently limitless laws and regulations.
Meanwhile, on other fronts, things have been fast-forwarding millennia to _Dune_:
Run away the ray-gun is coming : We test US army's new secret weapon By MICHAEL HANLON - More by this author » Last updated at 23:21pm on 18th September 2007
Modern face of warfare: The Silent Guardian
"Where do I put my finger? There ... OK? Nothing's happening ... is it on?"
"Yes, it's on. Move your finger a bit closer."
"Er ... ow! OW!" Not good. I try again. "OWWW!" I pull my hand away sharpish. My finger is throbbing, but seems undamaged.
I was told people can take it for a second, maximum. No way, not for a wimp like me.
I try it again. It is a bit like touching a red-hot wire, but there is no heat, only the sensation of heat. There is no burn mark or blister.
[...]
-- Andy