Hyllis Family Story 1: Telekinetic (30 page)

This is a comment on the “science” in this science fiction novel. I have always been partial to science fiction that posed a “what if” question. Not everything in the story has to be scientifically plausible, but you suspend your disbelief regarding one or two things that aren’t thought to be possible. Essentially you ask, “what if” something (such as faster than light travel) were possible, how might that change our world?

So, in this story the
central question is, “What if someone really could move things with their mind? Certainly, telekinesis is a staple of science fiction, fantasy, comic books and magicians. Many of the stories posit someone with tremendous power, the power to move or demolish buildings etc. This story asks, “What if the telekinetic force was small? A gentle push here or there, not even as strong as a finger and only working over short distances?” I believe that the answer to this “what if” is, that even a very weak telekinetic power would enable its owner to do amazing things, only a few of which are in evidence in this first book of a planned series.

One thing
that giving much thought to this question makes evident is that, unfortunately, no one can really bend spoons with their mind. If they really were able to do that, surely they could find more amazing, wonderful and remunerative things to do with their power than showing off as a magician. 

Acknowledgements

I would like to acknowledge the editing and advice of Gail Gilman, Nora Dahners, Elene Trull, Allen Dietz, Hamilton Elliot, Kat Lind, Kerry McIntyre, and Abiola Streete, each of whom significantly improved this story.