Homeland Security Gets Desperate; Turns to Science Fiction Writers (Updated)

Purveyors of ray guns take note: the Department of Homeland Security is turning to a group of science fiction writers for advice on funding high-risk projects. Department officials invited the science fiction writers to a recent conference in Washington to get their thoughts on future technologies, the St. Louis Post Dispatch reports:* *

*The writers' ideas thrown out in two days at the conference are implausible: material that becomes armor when struck by a bullet; an antibiotic that cures martyrdom; a satellite that beams solar energy to earth. But Jay Cohen, head of the Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate, said the stuff of science fiction 20 years ago was the reality of today. *

"I expect failure, but boy, when we get it right, we can change the world," Cohen said.

A couple of those ideas aren't really science fiction: the Pentagon is indeed looking at ways to beam solar energy to earth and liquid body armor that becomes rigid when hit by a bullet has been in the works for a while. As for an "antibiotic that cures martyrdom," I don't need science fiction writers to suggest that, I'm sure the dear departed Jerry Falwell could have come up with that one. Homeland Security thinks these are all potentially great ideas.

But Chris Christopher, a sci-fi fan and communications officer with Homeland Security's Science and Technology division, wasn't laughing. He asked SIGMA to attend the conference, then offer ideas for a program called High Impact Technology Solutions — unusual research projects with a low probability of success but potentially a huge payoff.

The writers provided their consultation services for free, while the National Defense Industrial Association, a defense industry trade group that sponsored the conference, waived the $1,000 registration fee for the writers.

Greg Bear, another science fiction writer, has worked with the government on bio-terrorism initiatives. His latest book describes FBI efforts to control a plague targeted at ethnic groups — specifically Jews or Muslims.

"Getting into the mind of law enforcement is hard," he said. "But they told us, 'Don't censor yourself.'"

Homeland Security's Science and Technology Directorate has set aside $7 million — 1 percent of its budget — for these "high impact" projects.

Hey $7 million ain't bad. Maybe the DANGER ROOM should apply; we've got some great candidates: sex toys that disrupt enemy communications; electric gloves (perhaps useful for airline personnel); and vomit beams.

Update One: A Homeland Security officials says the $7 million referrred to in the article and here is "NOT for hi-impact "sci-fi" projects (as some may infer if they read this), but specifically for a list of projects that have been identified to answer some very critical needs. For instance: tunnel detection, levee strengthening/rapid repair (we have some cool video if you want to see it on this one!), and even some research into why we're losing our honeybees (think food chain security!), among others."

Update Two: Jason Sigger takes me to task for my "negative vibes." "Why don't we pour a few more billion into the Airborne Laser program?," he suggests sarcastically. Who me? Negative vibes? Well what do you expect from someone who writes about imaginary weapons? Seriously, I'm not against science fiction writers (particulary ones with a scientific background) contributing to the idea pool, but I'm dubious about funding far-fetched technology ideas just because they sound cool (some might even argue that science fiction is what led us to pour billions into the Airborne Laser, something that perhaps should have stayed in the lab a few more years/decades).