Thursday 7 September 2023

Rationalizations

 

"Sargasso of Lost Starships."

Maybe these Arzunians are more scientifically rationalized than we thought? Nevertheless, certain questions arise. Why have such intense psychic powers not been naturally selected anywhere else? Why do the Arzunians exactly resemble white Terrans? They are an old race. Maybe we are descended from them just as, in Larry Niven's Known Space future history series, we are mutated Pak breeder colonists of a former Slaver food planet? We are certainly connected with the rest of the galaxy in ways discovered by scientists even if not in additional ways imagined by science fiction writers.

Maybe telekineticists can slow their aging process and can also maintain a preferred bodily form over very long periods of time despite environment changes? The narrative could have been developed in various directions but was obviously intended as an ephemeral pulp magazine adventure story that was never collected in any Technic History volume until The Technic Civilization Saga.

6 comments:

Sean M. Brooks said...

Kaor, Paul!

The powers of the Arzunians might best be understood as among the fictional elements to be found in that fiction within the fiction.

I think I read "Sargasso" at least two times and I never gave much thought to the coloring of the Arzunians. I simply accepted Anderson's choice. I do expect all non-human races to come in all colors and shades of those colors.

Ad astra! Sean

S.M. Stirling said...

The Arzunians are probably the result of a long period of self-sculpting, to the norms of what was originally the dominant culture among them.

S.M. Stirling said...

(If humans could determine the appearance of their offspring, I suspect there would be a lot of Chris Hemsworth and Cate Blanchett look-alikes being born.)

Sean M. Brooks said...

Kaor, Mr. Stirling!

I agree, because human beings are simply like that. Which is what will probably happen if genetic engineering becomes practical.

Ad astra! Sean

S.M. Stirling said...

Well, I wouldn't mind. As long as we get rid of things like myopia, retardation and appendicitis at the same time... 8-).

Sean M. Brooks said...

Kaor, Mr. Stirling!

I agree. Alas, I doubt we will live long enough to see any benefits from genetic engineering.

Ad astra! Sean