Authors capture the ambivalence of work: something that has to be done although often we would prefer not to; alienated labor. Somewhere in Brian Aldiss's Helliconia Trilogy, workers arrive to erect a platform. Quoting from memory: "They had the resigned attitude of workers everywhere. They were prepared to do the job but not to hurry about it."
I remember that we were prepared to get on with the job but did not want our immediate boss anywhere near us, let alone any of the higher ups:
"'...keep [the Chancellor] as far away from me as possible, Oh Holy Avatars!'"
-The Forge, CHAPTER TWELVE, p. 212.
That sounds like a line in Fiddler On The Roof. The rabbi is asked whether there is a special blessing for the Tsar. He solemnly intones, "Lord, bless and keep the Tsar - far away from us!"
And also, of course, in one song: "Wouldn't have to work hard!"
5 comments:
In H. Beam Piper's Space Viking, the king of a parliamentary monarchy is quoted as reacting to its takeover (by a fellow who's using Hitler's playbook) with the words, "I just reign here." Rather a pity, because His Majesty was previously shown as an insightful sort — one reviewer used the word "donnish" — who recognized the danger early on, but could no longer persuade anyone else of it.
"Goodman Mikhyl slipped away; King Mikhyl VIII looked across the low table at his guest. 'Prince Trask, have you heard of a man named Zaspar Makann?'
"'Occasionally. Nothing good about him.'
"'He is the most dangerous man on this planet,' the King said. 'And I can make nobody believe it. Not even my son.'"
"I just reign here"! That's a good variation.
Kaor, Paul and DAVID!
Paul: It could reasonably be argued that our entire lives is one long "alienation." MY view is that a wise man simply does what he has to do without moaning, whining, or griping about it.
And I actually read that line about Chancellor Tzetzas in THE FORGE not long ago! The thing to remember about the man who said that is that he did not Tzetzas even a well meaning bungler, but as corrupt and dangerously short sighted (which the Chancellor was, of course).
David: you raise an interesting point. What CAN a king (or president, for that matter) with limited powers in a parliamentary gov't DO about a dangerous and ambitious politician? Esp. if he can't persuade others to see that danger?
Sean
There's an old Greek saying: "No slavemaster more harsh than an empty belly". In all places and times, most people do most work because the alternative is to starve, or otherwise go without things they need.
Kaor, Mr. Stirling!
I agree. And I think that is more likely to remain true than not. Unless we actually do achieve a post-scarcity economy. An idea we see in some of Anderson's works, such as "Quixote and the Windmill," showing us some of the costs as well as benefits of a post-scarcity economy.
Sean
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