“And, let me tell you: For writers of science fiction and adjacent hybrid genres, it’s also hugely motivating. We often hear about Author X who “predicted the future,” but that’s a hollow achievement, easily accomplished by throwing up a dense screen of possibilities—science-fictional chaff. Prediction just means you saw where the world might be going: ho-hum. Influence, though—ah. Influence, direct and acknowledged, means you actually steered the world, even if only a tiny bit. ¶ A finger on the wheel.” - × × ×

“I’m sure there have been meetings in which people argued to drop the “fiona.” In every meeting, they lost.” - × × ×