In passing from Volume 1 to Volume 2 of The Complete Psyxhotechnic League, we have turned a corner. The future history has opened out into something like the "Green Hills of Earth" period of Heinlein's Future History. We began in the lifetimes of men who had fought in World War II and are now some time in the twenty second century, in 2140 according to the Chronology.
In Heinlein's Future History, there are social upheavals despite technological advances whereas, in the Psychotechnic History, the upheavals occur because of the advances. Instead of theocrats, there are Humanists. "Holmgang" is about one of the political opposition groups. Rereading this story some time tomorrow, I will remind myself of what this group thinks and intends.
1 comment:
Kaor, Paul!
I think Anderson was here more realistic than Heinlein. I think drastic changes like social upheavals are more likely to happen if technological changes forces changes to happen. Not because social upheavals occurred DESPITE technological advances. Or changes in religion and philosophy can also bring on drastic changes.
Ad astra! Sean
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