In the Time Patrol series, humanity evolves into a superior species after many past pivotal events whereas in several alternative future histories, humanity:
is artificially mutated and migrates to the galactic centre;
spreads through several spiral arms;
coexists with artificial intelligence;
is superseded but re-created, both electronically and biologically, by post-organic intelligence.
Thus, Poul Anderson describes real historical processes in a time travel series and fictitious historical processes in several future histories. Thus, also, Anderson's many volumes on time travel and future histories are worthy successors of Wells' two such volumes.
In these works by Wells and Anderson, humanity undergoes:
devolution;
revolution;
evolution;
mutation;
extinction;
duplication;
re-creation.
By "duplication," I mean the electronic re-creation for which Anderson coins the term "emulation." This re-creation reproduces consciousness so it is a duplication, not a mere simulation, of humanity.
6 comments:
Between Wells and Anderson in the lineage of future historians are Olaf Stapledon and Robert Heinlein.
Sean Brooks,
Thank you for forwarding the photocopy of Heinlein's postscript to some editions of REVOLT IN 2100, "Concerning Stories Never Written". I had known of this postscript but had never read it. It is a fascinating insight into Heinlein and his series and an essential part of the History that should be included in any future editions. Its argument about the danger of a theocracy is unfortunately still true, or even more true, today.
Sean, thank you also for a copy of Anderson's THERMONUCLEAR WARFARE. I will read this and discuss it here.
Paul.
Hi, Paul!
Truth to say, I'm skeptical about a Protestant theocracy ever coming to power in the US the way Heinlein postulated. I think the danger we face is from fanatics treating an ideology, big gov't socialism, like a religion. That is what we really face in the US from the hard left. The religious "impulse to theocracy" many Americans might have had has been secularized into what Eric Voegelin called "immanentizing the eschaton."
Glad you got my extra copy of THERMONUCLEAR WARFARE. I look forward to reading what you think of the book despite me thinking it's rather dated. I do wish Poul Anderson had written more non fiction!
Alas, despite my taping and gluing, the copy I gave you still has loose pages!
Sean
Isaac Asimov was worried that Fundamentalism could gain political control. Hopefully not, but just imagine it!
Hi, Paul!
The danger we face is LEFT WING fundamentalism taking over. Big government socialism. The overcentralized god state.
Sean
Sean:
In light of the 'Christian flags' being being waved at the US Capitol on 2021/01/06, I would not dismiss Christian Fundamentalism as a threat to democracy.
I will also note that 'left wing' people are also often against free speach, I just disagree with you about you thinking that Christian sects are necessarily benign.
Note: I put 'left wing' in quotes because I agree with Jerry Pournelle about needing more than one dimension to plot political beliefs.
Kaor, Jim!
I still disagree. I see no Baptists or other kinds of evangelical Protestants breeding sects headed by Heinleinian Nehemiah Scudders arising in the reasonably foreseeable future.
Ad astra! Sean
Post a Comment