"The number of species in the galaxy which have independently invented some form of African golf is beyond estimation." (p. 82)
I did not know what African golf was and do not remember noticing this phrase on previous readings of this novel. Apparently, it means "craps" which means a gambling game played with two dice. I had not known that either although I had heard of craps.
How likely are inestimable species to invent it? The premise of the Technic History, explained in an introduction in The Trouble Twisters, is that there are innumerable intelligent species, that enough of them are similar enough to engage in trade, war etc and that any that are too dissimilar are bypassed or ignored. Examples of the latter are Ymirites and Sphinxians.
1 comment:
Kaor, Paul!
I can see it being at least for many intelligent races evolving on more or less terrestroid planets developing many analogous games. We see mention in HUNTERS OF THE SKY CAVE of Ardazirho soldiers playing games of chanced with tetrahedral dice (Chapter XII). And we see repeated mentions of Merseians enjoying the human game of chess.
Ad astra! Sean
Post a Comment