Chapter 1: The Concept of Ansible

Ansible is a term that might not appear in your standard dictionary, yet it has made its way into various novels, short stories, and films. What exactly does this unconventional word signify?

I stumbled upon the term while reading the April/May edition of the Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction. In C.L. Polk’s narrative “The Music of the Siphorophenes,” we are introduced to magnificent creatures reminiscent of whales, measuring over a kilometer in length, which exhibit iridescent colors and produce enchanting melodies. These space-whales evoke strong emotional responses from humans, prompting them to embark on dangerous voyages beyond our solar system, referred to as “the Outers,” to witness these wonders. However, these journeys have become increasingly perilous due to marauding pirates in the region. The plot thickens when Captain Taylor is offered an astonishing reward by Earth's leading pop star to navigate these treacherous waters, leading to a reluctant agreement.

At one pivotal moment, the pop star Veda describes the siphorophenes as “an ansible.” This revelation sparked my curiosity, leading me to search for the term in my dictionary, only to find it absent. Thankfully, the wonders of Wikipedia provided clarity.

Section 1.1: The Birth of Ansible

The term "ansible" was first introduced by Ursula K. Le Guin in her 1966 novel, Rocannon’s World. A portmanteau of "answerable," the ansible is a fictional device enabling instantaneous, faster-than-light communication, thereby facilitating interstellar dialogue. Le Guin proposed a force known as “simultaneity,” akin to gravity, as the mechanism behind the ansible's functionality.

In the context of the story, Veda implies that the siphorophenes are capable of communicating with one another across vast distances in space, forming a telepathic bond. This unique ability renders them targets for pirates, who exploit this connection to track and capture these majestic beings.

Returning to the term, "ansible" can now be found on sfdictionary.com, having been embraced by various science fiction authors, including well-known figures like Kim Stanley Robinson, Orson Scott Card, and Philip Pullman, along with numerous emerging writers. Le Guin herself revisited this concept in several of her works.

Chapter 2: The Impact of Language in Science Fiction

Le Guin's influence in the literary world is undeniable; her accolades are numerous, but perhaps the most significant achievement is the creation of a term that has entered the lexicon of her genre. This accomplishment, I believe, represents the pinnacle of success—independent of industry trends or popularity.

The distinction between fantasy and science fiction often sparks heated debates at conventions. While many dismiss the topic with exasperation, the simplified answer is that science fiction is rooted in scientific principles. However, this definition is misleading; it would imply that any medical drama featuring scientific concepts qualifies as science fiction.

For instance, TV shows like ER and House MD delve into medical science, but they don’t inherently fit the sci-fi category. Similarly, narratives like Halt and Catch Fire, which explore the early days of computing, or Contagion, a poignant tale of a global pandemic, also blur these lines.

On the contrary, many revered science fiction classics employ shaky tropes, such as time travel, which challenges the very laws of physics. Just because we can theorize about time travel doesn't mean we can actually traverse it. To simplify, if you're composed of atoms, you're bound by the fabric of spacetime.