"...communication and data-retrieval consoles that occupied one wall..." (3, p. 85)
No desk-top personal computer, lap-top computer or smart phone. What will they have in the real thirty-first century - assuming the survival of a technological civilization? Brain implants for artificial telepathy? A Dirac beep in every brain? (See also here.)
Activating the transparency in another wall, Desai looks out across Nova Roma and sees, among many other sights that have been detailed in previous posts:
"...the broad bright sweep of the River Flone, and ancient high-arched bridges across it; beyond, the Julian Canal, its tributaries, verdant parks along them, barges and pleasure boats on their surfaces..." (p. 87)
Although this novel is set in our future, Aeneas has been colonized long enough for the bridges across the Flone to be described as "ancient." Anderson picks place names well and deploys them with apparent familiarity. There is also social change, represented, on the horizon, by the garishly-colored modern buildings and the industrial haze of the Web where the manufacturing, mercantile and managerial classes of recent generations have become more supportive of the Terran Empire which Desai serves than, currently, are the longer established Aenean scholars and squires.
Anderson has created a plausible history for this future history.
1 comment:
Kaor, Paul!
While I agree we see no mention of desktop computers or laptops in THE DAY OF THEIR RETURN, Anderson did try to make room for theses things in his very last Technic story, THE GAME OF EMPIRE. The first chapter of that book mentions how mini computers from the inner Empire could be found for sale in the market areas of the Old Town of Olga's Landing. And we do see something like a personal computer being used by Commissioner Desai while reviewing the mail from Terra.
And we still don't have air cars,view wall transparencies, FTL, antisenescence, or the common use of cloning! In fact, the idea of using our personal DNA for replacing lost or damaged limbs or organs can be found as "early" (in Technic chronological terms) as "The Problem of Pain." But Anderson's use of cloning is earlier than that in actual terms. I first came across that idea in my copy of the 1966 Chiltom Books edition of ENSIGN FLANDRY.
So, while some signs of dating here and there in the Technic stories has to be acknowledged, they are surprisingly few and shouldn't "jar" most readers so badly that it spoils the pleasure of reading them. One bit of "datedness" I discussed was Anderson's regrettable use of the Descriptive system of chess of recording chess moves in ENSIGN FLANDRY (see my "Andersonian Chess" article).
While I agree many people in the new manufacturing, mercantile, and managerial classes of recent generations on Aeneas were more supportive of the Empire than some in longer established sections of that planet's society, it should not be over stressed. Mention was made of how the Landfolk contributed many officers to the Imperial Navy, not all of whom defected to McCormac's side in the late, lamented rebellion. Admiral Pickens was Aenean himself and remained loyal to Josip III. And since mention was made of a "Pickens Hall" at the University, that admiral may have been of a University family.
Ad astra! Sean
Ad astra! Sean
mnmd
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