Sergey Stupitsky (known under penname Sergey Vordin), Chekhov-based computer network security engineer, author of more than 20 science fiction short stories, and the finalist of writing contests like HiZh-2009 (sponsored by the Khimiya i Zhizn' — Chemistry and Life — magazine), Aelita-NAG, Rvanaya Grelka –21, tells us about his attitude towards a possible human-nanodevice combination. One of his works, the Scent of Jasmine, was announced a winner of the Nanofiction Science Fiction Short Story Contest carried out by the Russian Nanotechnologies journal as part of the Science for Society All-Russian Competition 2011.

Sergey Stupitsky: “An example given by the revolution suggests that the use of computational power of the human brain is not a complicated task; withholding or replacing unfavourable information at key points is all it takes.”

- Of contemporary science fiction writers, who is the most interesting in your opinion?

- We should first articulate what each of us maintains as ‘interesting’ concerning science fiction. An original idea? A new fiction assumption? Deep drama and psychology in an unusual environment? Or maybe by that we mean that the text is easy to read and evokes positive emotions? Everyone will have his or her own answer to that.

I would dare pick out Oldi (henry Layon Oldi, a penname for Ukrainian science fiction writers Dmitri Gromov and Oleg Ladyzhensky – STRF.ru) with their wonderful cosmic operas; Lukyanenko with his keen knowledge of what readers want at particular time; Kaganov whose stories bring a smile on your lips even if they deal with rather serious matters. There are as many worthy authors as definitions of ‘interesting.’

- What are the weaknesses of works in this genre?

- Weaknesses of science fiction? That may probably be insufficient technical knowledge of the authors. It is rather hard to write about human brain being conquered by nanodevices if you have only the most general idea of the process. But the main weapon of a science fiction writer is his or her ability to persuade the reader that all the things described in the story are indeed possible.

Mankind, like any sophisticated structure is strong due to the synergy of its members. Some can imagine opportunities and others get to make them come true. A well-known example of that is robot brought about by the imagination of Karel Čapek. Some time has passed and there emerged people who could bring this fantasy to life.

- In your short story the Scent of Jasmine you brush the problem of interactions between robots and men. Does this idea concern you? Do you think that in the modern world, people carry out others’ will?

- Carrying out others’ will is a cornerstone of many works — and not only in science fiction. Not a single person exists that is able to avoid being influenced upon. A desire to match the Creator and even surpass him leads us to experiments the consequences of which are hard to predict. But can we ourselves fill in the role of those to be matched with and got ahead of? It is a pity to become a puppet for our own creation, isn’t it?

- What was the message of the Scent of Jasmine?

- I once had an argument with a writer concerning this short story. He maintained that it was impossible to take over a human brain. In order to do that, a “network” of nanobots needs to be able to set its goals by itself — set objectives and reach them. Thus, he believed that “to use a system like human brain, the user itself must also present a similar cognisant system with the same or higher level of complexity…”

In reply to that, I offered one historical example — seizure of Petrograd in 1917. Did the soldiers and sailors know how to rule a city? No, they just seized control over traffic: post office, bridges, telephone, telegraph. Therefore, the “brain” — Petrograd — was deprived the ability to carry out interactions between its parts and departments. And what happened next? Those who knew more about managing a city started working for the “network” of labourers and seamen.

I tried to show all attributes of the “capturing the bridges” in my story.

This revolution example suggests that the use of computational power of the human brain is not a complicated task; withholding or replacing unfavourable information at key points is all it takes. The readers of the story will know much more about the subject than me, so I invite them to express their opinions. This feedback will do me good.

- How long have you been writing? Please tell us about your first short story.

- I have not been writing for very long — I started about three years ago. My first short story was called Hans. That was a story of a war long over, about respect to the fallen enemy, about a ‘bad’— as seen by average people — person who does good without even realising it.

This first step in literature proved to be successful as the story became the finalist or prize-winner of many writing competitions.

- Being a computer network security engineer, you deal directly with modern technologies. What can you say about their future?

- Globalisation has occurred in every area of human activities. We cannot imagine a life without transcontinental flights, the Internet, mobile and satellite communication. Wireless networks take ever-growing share of the information technology market. Man does not want to be tethered to anything. He needs sails, not anchors. I think, technology development will head in that direction.

- Who are the first critics of your stories? It must be your family, the strictest judges of your work.

- Of course, I first offer those close to me the stories to read. Their opinions can often be key, I have to change the text — sometimes completely. But that is the best litmus test as a short story should be comprehensible, capable of tuning the reader to its wave, stop the reader from abandoning the book. Writers have a notion of an “ideal reader.” That stands for the reader that will tell you the truth, and see all your shortcomings. It is difficult to find a reader like that. But I was lucky — my family members are ideal readers.

- What are your further writing plans?

- In every area, we set objectives. At first, I wanted to learn to write so that I would be a match to… and I had a list of authors I would like to look upon. But the process of learning is endless. Your inner censor will never lie to rest and stop saying ‘all you write is terrible.’ That critic cannot be pleased and therefore I never stop learning, but my current goals are humbler. For example, I wanted to be a published author — and now, due to the contest this wish will come true. The next step will be to write something longer than a short story — I have to aspire for new heights.

Interviewed by Morozova Maria, published by The Russian Nanotechnologies journal