Although Muddlehead is described as a consciousness-level computer (we have discussed this issue before), we do not think of him as a member of the trade pioneer crew because he is not as noticeable a character as Falkayn, Adzel or Chee Lan. "The Trouble Twisters" opens with the four playing poker in Muddlin' Through half way up a hill overlooking the Chakora, a dead sea bottom, on Ikrananka. When, in response to an alarm bell, Falkayn leaves the game, goes to a scanner turret and scans the screen, he wonders:
"What the devil had the observer units noticed? So much computer capacity was engaged in the game that the ship herself couldn't tell him." (p. 83)
No! Muddlehead should be able simultaneously to play poker, converse with Falkayn, continue observing their surroundings and do a lot more as well.
Light-years from the nearest human being, Falkayn dresses well out of vanity. This is a good move because it turns out that there are human beings stranded on Ikranaka. Falkayn sees a damsel in distress pursued by natives. This should be a cover illustration. In the ERBian universe, both non-humans and human beings infertile with our hero would be native to Ikrananka. Anderson reproduces an ERBian scenario without its absurdities. Human beings have been traveling through space for so long that it is feasible to arrive on a planet where there are not only natives but also human beings who have been there for several generations.
We are still a long way from Falkayn's Supermetals Company whose members will include Ikranakans.
1 comment:
Kaor, Paul!
A good point, Muddlehead should have verbally informed Falkayn of what it observed once that alarmed sounded. I think even our current computers can do all the things you listed.
Ad astra! Sean
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