The Reality Assertion

Canadian author Paul Anlee writes thought-provoking, epic sci-fi in the style of Asimov, Heinlein, Benford, and Reynolds, stories that challenge our assumptions and stretch our imagination. Literary, fact-based, and fast-paced, the Deplosion series explores themes in philosophy, politics, religion, economics, AI, VR, nanotech, synbio, quantum reality, and beyond.When done right, I think sci-fi is the best genre for challenging what you think you know about the universe and your place in it. One reason I write is to shine a bright, rigorous light on the assumptions in our everyday interactions with our world.In large part, I became a scientist because of my love of science fiction. It made me think of a future I hoped to help create. Helping others to create their own visions of the future is another reason I write. Although my specialty was molecular biology and genetics, it was not long before I was involved in the new fields of nanotechnology and synthetic biology.As a scientist/storyteller, I try not to use magical explanations as the basis for any of my settings, conflicts, or resolutions. I think long and hard about a plausible scientific rationale for everything important that happens in my stories. If I can't see some way that something could have a natural explanation, I won't use it.That's quite a challenge in the Deplosion series as I cover quite a range of ideas: a universe evolving naturally from virtual particles; a generated field that changes the natural laws of physics; a way to grow a supercomputer in your head; a combination of artificial intelligence and downloading of a human mind; instantaneous travel throughout the universe; virtual worlds; buildings you grow; genetic engineering for living on different planets; etc.For each of these, I can conceive of a scientific route that justifies the different technologies in question. Add in political intrigue, religion, philosophy, and human passion and you have the kind of story I enjoy reading. That's what I try to write.