Imaginary Materials

Photo by: Fatima Fakier Deria

Evan finally attended the Speculative Fiction Writers conference. Luckily veteran scifi writer, Gordon Peck, agreed to show him around.

“The whole thing is held on a holodeck where anything is possible,” explained Gordon as they crossed a canal.

Evan noticed the bridge had no supports to hold it up. “Why isn’t this bridge falling?”

“It’s made with hovertonium.”

A crashing shuttle craft nearly hit them, but Gordon deflected it with a wave of his hand.

“My personal shield.” Gordon explained. “Made with handwaveium.”

At lunch, Evan said, “This sandwich just cured my writer’s cramp!”

“Of course,” said Gordon. “It’s made with bolognium.”
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Written for the Friday Fictioneers: https://rochellewisoff.com/2018/06/20/22-june-2018/

Author’s Notes:

In speculative fiction, fictional materials often come into play. Lately, I just learned about Bolognium. I had a good laugh over it and couldn’t resist a little double entendre with it.

Bolognium (fictional element): “Noted science fiction writer David Gerrold attributes the use of the term in science fiction writing to Larry Niven, the author of Ringworld, who used it to describe imaginary materials or processes capable of explaining properties unachievable through known or scientifically-postulated means…”
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_fictional_elements,_materials,_isotopes_and_subatomic_particles