Defense attorney for UFO

Author: Pan Jiazheng
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-09-01
Features: Pan Jiazheng, a renowned expert in hydraulic engineering and a member of both the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Engineering, has dedicated his life to the field of water conservancy. His footsteps have covered the vast landscapes and towering mountains of China, and he has participated in and led numerous large-scale hydraulic engineering projects of international acclaim. At the age of over seventy, he took a different path, writing science fiction novels, which was something I had never anticipated. When I faced stacks of manuscripts written in his elegant calligraphy, a sense of astonishment and admiration arose within me. Pan Sir asked me to write a preface for his collection of works, a task I felt utterly unworthy of. You see, nowadays, those who write prefaces are either distinguished authorities or pioneers in their fields. Although I consider myself an avid reader, fiction has always been my favorite genre. From my childhood, when I was captivated by novels like Romance of the Three Kingdoms and Water Margin, to my middle school years, when I extensively read the works of May Fourth-era writers such as Lu Xun, Ba Jin, and Mao Dun, as well as Soviet-translated novels after the liberation, I have always read them superficially, finishing them without gaining any artistic insight or developing a passion for writing. This "read without deep understanding" approach has often been reprimanded by my elders as "wasting time on frivolous books." This clearly shows that I am not qualified to write a preface for a novel, let alone a science fiction one. After much hesitation, I finally came up with a relatively honest solution: to share my limited thoughts on science fiction as a "light appetizer" (an entrée in Western cuisine) before the readers dive into the main course. If they find it appealing, they can enjoy a brief taste; otherwise, they can proceed directly to the main dish. Although I have never written a novel, as a reader, I deeply understand the challenges of writing one. An author must not only possess rich life experience and a sharp, penetrating gaze to observe society and its diverse people but also meticulous planning, thrilling plots, and suspense to keep readers hooked, compelling them to continue reading. I believe writing science fiction is even more challenging, as it requires not only the general storytelling skills and literary craftsmanship of other novels but also extensive scientific knowledge and a highly imaginative mind. Thus, it can be said to be a fusion of scientific phenomena and literary art, a crystallization of realism and romanticism. Generally, science is based on facts and experiments, adhering strictly to mathematical logic, which often gives it a rigid and dull impression. However, throughout human history, science has sometimes relied on bold hypotheses and assumptions. Take, for example, the early 20th-century debate over the particle and wave theories of light, or the 1950s' hypothesis of the double helix structure of DNA. Science fiction, on the other hand, goes even further, offering more imaginative space and speculative elements. The famous French science fiction author Jules Verne, with his works like Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea and The Children of Captain Grant, has captivated generations of schoolchildren, playing an invaluable role in fostering their spirit of scientific exploration. Of course, science fiction is not the same as fantasy or magical realism, which are purely speculative and differ from works like China's Fengshen Bang or the American blockbuster The Lord of the Rings. While these stories may feature intricate plots and engaging narratives, their core revolves around non-scientific "mystical forces." In my view, such novels and films are generally recreational and leisure-oriented. They can help readers relax after a stressful workday or life, but if taken too seriously or imitated, they can lead to obsession or misguided behavior. In short, science fiction can be seen as a new "compound" formed by arranging scientific "elements" in a "non-conventional order." Its "building blocks" should be rational and scientific, but its development and extrapolation surpass current scientific norms, being ahead of its time or even highly imaginative. This is my limited understanding of science fiction, and naturally, the novels written based on this foundation are indeed science fiction. I believe it is highly beneficial for cultivating young people's love for science, courage in innovation, and pioneering spirit. And for adult scientists and engineers, isn't it just as inspiring and motivating? As people age, they often become confined to their familiar domains due to accumulated expertise in a particular field, feeling aimless once they step out of their "comfort zone." Pan Sir is a renowned engineering and technology expert with profound knowledge and a successful career. While continuing to contribute to China's hydraulic engineering, he has also"" (a "second front"), writing science fiction novels and inspiring the younger generation. Isn't this a model that all scientists and engineers can emulate?