In how many ways can a scientifically based society go wrong?
In 802,701 A.D., HG Wells' Time Traveler finds Morlocks, debased proletarians, eating Eloi, debased bourgeoisie.
In Poul Anderson's "Welcome," time travelers find cannibalism in a future society.
SM Stirling's Draka have a culture that perpetuates human slavery instead of using technology to liberate all human beings.
The Churchill quotation is apposite. The Avalonian Ythrian, Ferune of Mistwood, quotes another. See here.
4 comments:
Kaor, Paul!
Love the quote you gave here from the speeches of Churchill! Very apt!
And Stirling's Draka made perverted use of genetic science to make their slaves WANT to be slaves. Homo sapiens turned into Homo servus.
Sean
Human history is a constant interplay between necessity and agency. As Marx put it, we make history but we don't make it just as we please. And our decisions become part of the backdrop that constrains the possible for our descendants.
Dear Mr. Stirling,
I mostly agree. The caveat I have is that I think there are times when a unique and determined individual can change that backdrop, to turn history into another direction. For either good or ill.
Sean
Sean,
The individual has to be at the right place at the right time, like a cog moving a wheel. Archimedes said that, if he had a fixed place to stand on and a lever long enough, then he would be able to move the world.
Paul.
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