Several works by Poul Anderson highlight the paradox of traveling through space enclosed in metal, notably Tau Zero and The Avatar. This paradox is exacerbated in Planet Of No Return:
"...the impersonal metallic harshness which was most of the ship..." (p. 27)
The Lagrange Institute had not had time to decorate the ship's lounge properly but Lorenzen reflects that they should have done. Men with nerves worn thin need, e.g., murals, a bar and logs crackling in a fireplace. We are to learn that someone applying scientific psychology has done their best to sabotage the mission. The ill-assorted crew bicker in the bare lounge.
The basis conflict in this novel, as in The Avatar, is not between men and aliens but between pro- and anti-stellar factions on Earth. Anderson readers easily understand which side they should be on.
1 comment:
Kaor, Paul!
And this conflict found in the works of Poul Anderson is REAL. I have personally have people telling me we should not "waste" time and resources trying to get off Earth when we already have so many problems on it here and now. Such persons have told me that we should first solve our problems on Earth before trying to leave it.
I absolutely disagree with such disastrously short sighted views. For one thing, we will always have problems. That is, if we wait till we solve our here and now problems, then we will never get off Earth. Solving one problem means another one pops up. It's also a fact that our efforts in space, however limited, has already paid off, via weather satellites alone, has vastly repaid whatever resources were devoted to space.
Poul Anderson gives us a good short essay on why he believes in the value and necessity of a REAL space program in the "Commentary" in included with the collection called SPACE FOLK. Altho I do have one or two quibbles with that essay.
Sean
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