"The wind whistled darkly around his cabin." (p. 78)
"...darkly..." is appropriate in the circumstances. Poul Anderson's winds always echo what is going on.
The Institute of Human Biology, conducting secret immortality experiments, is mentioned only in this single story. It had been concurrent with, and even affiliated with, the now banned Psychotechnic Institute. Biology and psychology have to be connected. It is biological systems that become conscious. Bodily states cause mental states that motivate action. Biology and psychology are not two parallel processes but one causal process. We need an Institute of Human Psychobiology.
The Biology Institute is directed by Marcus Lang. Names always carry connotations although not necessarily intended by the author. Mark is the Second Evangelist and "Lang" is one of the "L" surnames in Superman mythology along with "Lane," "Luthor," "Lemaris" and "Lerrol."
There is a clearly intended reference to a comic book character in Larry Niven's Known Space future history:
1 comment:
Kaor, Paul!
I am not sure what an "Institute of Human Psychobiology" would, could, or should do. But the idea is at least worth thinking about.
Yes, I am sure both Superman and Batman are American pop cultural icons known all around the globe--even in the most anti-American, anti-Western nations.
Similarly, the UK contributed Sherlock Holmes and James Bond. Also globally renowned!
Ad astra! Sean
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