I have just reread this story and not found much to post about it although it turns out that I did find more on a previous occasion. See References In "Time Heals."
The story is about neither time travel nor time dilation but temporal stasis. Hart experiences instant transition from 1952 to 2837 with no possibility of return. At the end, he is returned to stasis and we would like to read a sequel.
While Hart, unable to integrate, is becoming catatonic:
"...Now the wind laughed, hooting around the house and rattling the shutters in appreciation of Hart's jokes." (p. 190)
In different works by Anderson, the wind has sobbed, laughed, punched Yamamura and whipped Dahut. (For these last two references, see here.)
Does psychometric guidance of personal life sound beneficial? With some reservations. We cannot predict the motivations of people in a completely different society - except that they will be different. But there might be some perceived value in the retention of an element of randomness in personal encounters and acquaintances. And the possibility of independent thought must be preserved.
1 comment:
Kaor, Paul!
As I've said before, "Time Heals" is a pathetic story, because of what happens to Hart. And that futuristic society, having taken the bother to heal Hart of his illness, should have made some effort to help him adjust to a very different time. Otherwise it would have been more humane to have left Hart in stasis.
Ad astra! Sean
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