Sci-fi writers, scientists imagine the future

A new project pairs science fiction authors with scientists to envision worlds that are both inspiring and achievable. A few years ago, structural engineering professor Keith Hjelmstad received an unusual phone call. On the line was Neal Stephenson, author of futuristic thrillers such as Snow Crash and Cryptonomicon. He wanted to know whether it was possible to build a tower 20 kilometers high. “Actually, I think he low-balled it at the time and said 15 kilometers,” Hjelmstad says. That’s ...