Ansible

1. The term ansible is used in science fiction literature to describe a hypothetical faster-than-light communications device. The term was coined by Ursula K. Le Guin in her 1966 novel, Roccannon's World. Her award-winning 1974 novel The Dispossessed tells of the invention of the ansible within her Ursula K. Le Guin/Ekumen mileau.

The name of the device has since been borrowed by authors such as Orson Scott Card, [Elizabeth Moon]? and Vernor Vinge.

Until a few years ago, faster-than-light communication was thought completely impossible, due to General Relativity. However, recent studies of quantum entanglement and [quantum tunnelling]? may yet provide a theoretical basis for FTL communication. At the present time (2001) this is highly speculative, and it likely that implementation of such theories will be impractical.

2. A science fiction fanzine published by [Dave Langford]?, named after 1 above.

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