practical problems of physical survival;
cannibalism dehumanizes whereas agriculture civilizes;
how to build a society out of personal loyalties, responsibilities and freedoms;
how not to build a society based on despotism and slavery;
just and unjust warfare;
religious experience, practice and belief;
society and technology;
the wonders of the universe;
enjoyment of the fruits of labour, in particular good food;
history and the generations.
What's not to like?
1 comment:
Kaor, Paul!
I agree with what you said about PA and Stirling. Not only does Stirling addresses many of the same themes as Anderson, he does in a different way--by means of using the alternate time line method. Anderson, by contrast, preferred to set his stories in space, on other planets, in a "this timeline" kind of way.
I would have added after your "how NOT to build a society based on despotism" another line saying "how can a despotism evolve into a milder form of government." Because that is exactly what we see happening in the PPA during the regency of Lady Sandra.
Sean
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