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Analog Science Fiction & Fact Magazine
September 1997

In this month's editorial, Schmidt takes a look at the nurture and nature argument and finds is ridiculous that people think that the way we are is due solely to one or the other. He asserts that both influence us. He also strongly opposes the idea that race can determine our intelligence but states that an individual's genetic heritage and educate can affect their individual intelligence (which has nothing to do with the race of the person).

Stories featured in this issue are:

• "Ask Arlen" by Maya Kaathryn Bohnhoff is an impressive and funny story about an alien who crash-lands on earth who needs to get some material to repair his ship. As the alien refuses to steal, it has to resort to getting a job to get paid to buy the material. So, what kind of job can an alien get that won't scare people? I won't say except to give the following hint: on the Internet, nobody knows you are a dog!
• "Just How 'Average' is the Solar System" by Stephen L. Gillett, Ph.D., is an eye-opening science article that looks at our ideas about how planetary systems form. Based on the evidence of planets found orbiting other stars, he questions the belief that our own Solar System is 'typical'. In fact, our system may be atypical, casting doubt that there may be other planets like the Earth out there.
• "The Big One" by James Van Pelt is another contact story that feels like a story Clifford D. Simak could have written. Set in the woods after contact with aliens, the story tells of one fisherman who discovers an alien fishing also! As it turns out, fisherman will have some things in common despite being aliens.
• "First Nanocontact" by Pete D. Manison is yet another contact story (is this month's magazine a 'first-contact' theme issue, I wonder). Only this time, the contact is between a nano-sized robot controlled by a VCR technician and another alien nanobot. Towards the end, the potential of such nanobots are revealed.
• "One Small Spin" by J.G. Hemry takes a humorous look at how exploration by robots could turn out. As robot after robot sent to Mars encounters problems (like stuck bolts, etc.) pressure mounts to send a manned mission instead. But how to do it in a era where NASA is bound to send 'fast robotic' missions?
• "Second Chance" by Fran Van Cleave takes a chilling look at the future where abortion is disallowed and children can be genetically tailored. Into this world wanders a pregnant woman who has to decide what to do with her child: abort it or put it up for 'adoption'? The answer is logical but, to me, uncomfortable.
• "From Every Opening Flower" by Jonny M. Duffy and G. David Nordley is a powerful story set on another world. An expedition arrives to find out why a previous expedition failed. They discover bodies hideously mutilated; but the wounds were self-inflicted. In a world of tailored DNA plants and animals, the investigators must find out what happened. But it may already be too late for some of them...

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