The Trigger is a
science fiction
book by
Arthur C. Clarke and
Michael Kube-McDowell.
Clarke has out done himself again IMHO,
predicting the future.
Of course, only time will tell which of his
crazy ideas come to fruition.
A commercially funded think tank accidently discovers
the ultimate trigger, a nearly totally defensive weapon
with earth shattering consequences that will revolutionize
civilization and war. But will they be able to
tell the world
about their discovery before the pentagon quashes it? Will the
public accept it?
Will it throw us back to clubs and stones?
Or will it bring on a new era of peace between
countries and within cities?
The Trigger is a tale of scientists and politicians struggling
with the problems of civilization and an invention that could make
guns obsolete. The book vasilates between showing the extreme views
of anti-gun fanatics and pro-gun fanatics, in an attempt to show both.
Just when you think every aspect has been covered, a new one is brought
to light, and the devistating consequences of the new problems are
then explored.
This intense book also continually reminds us that ethics in both
scientific research and politics is easy to lose sight of regardless of
the intentions, but very important to keep even in the
worst of circumstances.