Lets all try not to confuse SF writers with futurists and neither with researchers or engineers. Stories follow the rules of awesome, or they don't sell well. There is a wonderful Letter from Heinlein to a fan that asked why he wrote, and the top answer was:'to put food on the table'. It is probably online, but I could not find it atm. Comparing the work of the SIAI to any particular writer is like comparing the british navy with Jack London.