Poul Anderson describes "...popping in and out of hyperspace..." as "...transition between relativistic and quantum modes..." (Man-Kzin Wars III, p. 265) but this makes Known Space hyperspace sound like Technic History hyperspace. The latter is original: not another space but a succession of instantaneous quantum jumps within relativistic space.
In Anderson's Technic History, a Merseian says that "'...the highest end...'" is:
"'...absolute freedom for our race, to make of the galaxy what they will.'" (Young Flandry, p. 27)
- and tells his latest grandcub:
"'You shall have stars for toys...'" (p. 28)
One of Larry Niven's kzinti, written by Anderson, bares fangs at the stars and tells them:
"...we shall do with you what we will." (Man-Kzin Wars III, p. 261)
Merseians and kzinti are comparable to SM Stirling's Draka who say, "Glory to the Race!" but do not mean by this the entire human race and in fact succeed in making themselves a distinct species.
14 comments:
Paul:
"...the strong do as they will, and the weak suffer what they must."
-- Thucydides, *History of the Peloponnesian War*, "The Melian Dialogue"
(I don't know who produced the translation I cited. Its wording doesn't exactly match any of the three quoted on Wikipedia. I found it in an essay by Jerry Pournelle.)
Hi, David!
I do think I get your point. But, I did have some admiration for the Kzinti who defied the stars themselves and declared "...we shall do with you what we will." I could understand that to mean that intelligent beings MAKE their own fate, that they do not have to be helpless in a seemingly blind and chaotic universe. That is far better than either the brutal cynicism of the "Melian Dialogue" or the ruthless self worship of the Draka.
Sean
Good morning all,
MLK said that laws cannot change the heart but can restrain the heartless. In Greek myth, the Furies became the Kindly Ones: justice replaced vengeance.
Paul.
Kaor, Paul!
I certainly agree justice is better than vengeance. But before justice can replace or restrain the urge for vengeance don't you first need law?
And I have read the Greek play you have alluded to, many years ago. THE EUMENIDES, or THE KINDLY ONES? I forget the author's name.
Incidentally, with both the ancient Jews of the OT and the much later Scandinavians, we see laws and customs slowly restraining the use of private vengeance for the punishing of crime. I'm thinking here of the laws found in Exodus and Deuteronomy and the Scandinavian system of weregild and outlawry.
Sean
Sean,
Hamlet is at a crossroads. He invokes Christian beliefs yet feels obliged to avenge his father.
Paul.
Kaor, Paul!
That would make sense if we think of Hamlet living at a time when Denmark was only NEWLY Christian, and Christianity still needing time to decisively change the Danes.
Also, there's a political factor to keep in mind. A prince with a better claim to the crown might feel compelled to act against a usurper to restore order and legitimacy in the state. I can imagine Hamlet having mixed motives for his acts: some good and others bad.
Sean
Sean,
Shakespeare also wrote in a time of transition. Horatio says, "So have I heard and do IN PART believe it."
Paul.
Kaor, Paul!
I've read HAMLET, but so many years ago that I can't really remember much about (aside from such famous bits as Hamlet's "to be or not to be" soliloquy). I don't remember this bit about Horatio, which only goes to show I need to reread the play!
Poul Anderson's THE LONG WAY HOME shows us some bits of Shakespeare's works surviving 5,000 from now, including a variant of the "to be or not to be" lines.
Sean
Sean,
This year is a Shakespeare anniversary so there are events locally, something called "Bard on the Beach" in Morecambe. We will attend a performance of THE TEMPEST. Previously, we have seen performances of it and A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM and AS YOU LIKE IT "on promenade" (walking about) in Williamson Park overlooking Lancaster and the Bay.
Paul.
Kaor, Paul!
I don't know if "promenading" a play can work. It seems rather informal and ad hoc to me. But have fun!
And, yes, this very month and year marks the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare's death.
I wonder how long it will be before English changes so much that Shakespeare's plays will need to be translated into a later form of English? And will it be called ANGLIC by then? (Smiles)
Sean
Sean:
Well, remember, "You have not experienced Shakespeare until you have read him in the original Klingon."
...and I wish I could quote some.
Kaor, Paul!
Klingon? Ha! How about translating Shakespeare into Planha or Eriau instead? (Smiles)
Despite much of the language and diction being archaic now, English speakers can still read Shakespeare. I merely wonder for how much longer!
Sean
Apologies, Dave! I should addressed my comment above to you as well as Paul. Drat!
Sean
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