Isaac Asimov's Science Fiction January 1987 [antikvár]

)r)RiANEW WRITERSMax Planck first introduced the quantum theory in 1900. The quantum theory was so revolutionary, involved such a reorganization of mental attitude as far as physics was concerned, that it divides the science into two sections. Physics before 1900 is called "classical physics"; physics after 1900 is "modern physics."Nevertheless, quantum theory was not immediately or enthusiastically accepted. Most physicists (especially those who were advanced in years and experience and renown) found it impossible to abandon their classical mind-set. Even Planck himself had trouble thinking of quantum theory as anything but a mathematical trick. It was not until 1905, when Albert Einstein, then twenty-six years old, showed how quantum theory could explain the photoelectric effect when classical physics could not, that quantiun theory was forced into acceptance.Even so, Planck is reported to have said, in a moment of despondency, that the only way in which a new scientific theory can be accepted is to wait patiently for all the old scientists to die.This is not entirely true, of course, but one can easily find examples of first-class, top-notch scientists who reach a mental stage of immobility as they grow old. Lord Kelvin, an absolutely brilliant physicist, found himself, in the last decade of his life, unable to accept the exciting discovery of radioactivity. Ernest Rutherford, probably the greatest nuclear experimentalist who ever lived, was quite certain toward the end of his life that all talk of usable nuclear power was "moonshine."I like to call this "the principle of the immobility of success." (Others call it "Clarke's Law," because someone named Arthur C. Clarke whoever he might beonce said, "When a distinguished but elderly scientist states that something is possible, he is almost certainly right. When he states that something is impossible, he is very probably wrong.")Whatever you call it, this principle of the immobility of success probably holds for all human endeavors to some extent. Thus, it is my contention that a science fiction writer tends to cling to the style of writing and the type of story he (or