Monday, 25 August 2014

Effects Of The Intelligence Revolution IV

Poul Anderson, Brain Wave (London, 1977).

The dog Joe begins to understand English and nods to express comprehension.
The former moron, Archie Brock, talks to Joe and begins to educate him.
In the local town:

there is no longer a money economy;
the supermarket attendant lectures Brock on property;
the local community has seen through the "self-deception" of property;
farmers have moved into deserted town houses;
the mechanically inclined devise machines to do most of the agricultural work;
the community evolves social reforms to match their new personalities;
the attendant cannot explain to Brock what they do;
final decisions rest with the Council and the Societist;
they are unlikely to help or trade with Brock unless he joins their society;
there is danger outside the community, e.g., from escaped circus animals.

Brock and Joe are attacked by pigs and a bull but rescued by two chimpanzees with a gun riding an elephant. These new animals join them in running the farm.

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