[Arthur C. Clarke:] “One day we may be able to enter into temporary unions with any sufficiently sophisticated machines, thus being able not merely to control but to become a spaceship or a submarine or a TV network…” … One of the interesting things about [this] passage…is its prediction that the mind of man may become enextensive, not only with his artefacts but with his concept. Is this not to suggest the philosophical idea that the mind in knowing is also a maker? Pushed far enough, that is to say, science fiction can become humanistic philosophy.