Very thin string cutting people in half...Stand on Zanzibar?

[mspringer1a]

I am trying to find out if the following describes an event in the title listed on the subject line...

The example I recall consisted of a single long-chain molecule -- that was essentially unbreakable and invisible. In the story, one of these molecules was stretched across a road in advance of a military troop transport. The vehicle and its inhabitants were sliced by the molecule. there were no outright fatalities, but due to the extreme thinness of the "string," the effects of the slicing were unpredictable.

[admin]

I think Larry Niven was the first author to make use of monomolecular filiments in his stories. I don't remember a Niven story using monomolecular filiments against jeeps, though. That sounds more like Jerry Pournelle.

[SoulThief]

I recall seeing something like this in at least one other book, but I can't remember which. I keep thinking of Iain Banks - but I feel that its not him but someone who has a similar style.

ST

[boonie]

The only book that I can remember reading with something similiar was "Man-Kzin Wars" It's been quite a while since I've read them but I do remember them using a molecular fiber to repel from.

Boonie

[hegemon]

I notice that nobody here seems to have read Stand on Zanzibar recently enough to remember if it used monomolecular filiments or not. I read it, way back when it won the Hugo. Didn't much like it.

[admin]

Actually, if you look in the Science Fiction forum, you'll fine that eike_p has done his homework.

[Buglunch]

Man, this concept is getting common in current works, from Johnny Mnemonic through Cube to Tv Battlestar Galactica...

[epicfantasy7]

The very thin string is used a lot in the Niven Ringworld series. IT is the material that is used to hold the ring in place. I remember several scenes with it being used to cut people in half and I think it even cut one of the hand/eyes off of a puppetteer. Been a few years since I read the series but I remember that the string was so thin that it was practically invisible.

[spacecat]

I remember reading about that single molecule thick line and its slicing potential in Ringworld. Chilling thought, having to beware of something like that.

I think I also noted it recently in reading Singularity Sky, by Charles Stross.

[shrike522]

Hello
The book msspringer1a is trying to find is titled "The Sheep Look Up" by John Brunner. I think it was sequel to Stand on Zanzibar. Which is a fantastic book by the way.
shrike522

[dometone]

This idea also shows up in some of William Gibson's work, notably "Neuromancer" and one of his more popular short stores, "Burning Chrome". Both served as source code for that movie with Keanu Reeves (you know the one).

[Anpo28]

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regards, Anpo28