Science fiction fans are predictable, of course, in the way of being unpredictable, in particular. In this respect the weird minds and bizarre vagaries of the typical science fiction fan differ considerably from the more prosaic survival apparatus of the benighted mundanes, and resemble far more closely that of astronauts, rocket scientists, mad poets, propellant chemists, and such, several of which were in the audience. The moderator seemed a bit diffident, which is not surprising, given the topic. He had pointed out earlier, while awaiting the arrival of his fellow panelists, which is a tradition at such conventions, that it was not his suggestion, but, we gathered he, he being a game fellow, was prepared to plow forward, a metaphor not altogether out of place, given the weather outside. At least two of the panelists, however, as we learned when they arrived, did find the topic intriguing. One of them may have suggested the topic but that did not come out in the discussion.
