Do we agree with what the narrator says in this chapter, that Nomads sense the differences between Rendezvous and Earth and therefore are uninclined to stay there but, even if they found Earth, they would not stay there either because they are Nomads? This seems a bit confused. Having never seen Earth, the Nomads cannot notice any differences. People accept whatever environment they have become familiar with. Indeed, Earth presents not one but many different environments from Alaska to Africa. Trees on Rendezvous are not oak, pine, elm, palm, baobab or sequoia, as the narrator points out, but not everyone growing up on Earth sees any of those trees either.
Nomads do not stay in any one place for very long because they have become used to being Nomads. That much at least makes sense. But do we carry some genetic memory of an ancestral environment? Rather, we bring with us an ability to adapt to a wide range of environments and also to adapt those environments to our needs and requirements.
Here come the Earthmen.
6 comments:
Kaor, Paul!
Yes, but what I think the Nomads were somewhat confusedly trying to articulate was that they would not like the civilization dominant on Earth. It was the socio-political "environment" on Earth and its values which repelled the Nomads.
Ad astra! Sean
Sean,
I think, if you reread that chapter, you'll find it's the physical environment that's being referred to.
Paul.
Kaor, Paul!
That seems a bit odd, the merely PHYSICAL environment of Earth should not be that alien to Nomads.
Ad astra! Sean
This discussion is getting tangled up. The chapter suggests that the Nomads cannot stay on Rendezvous because its environment is different from Earth's - even though they have never been on Earth. The chapter then says that, even if they came to Earth, they would not be able to stay there because they have become used to Nomadism. Thus, it is neither the physical environment nor the civilization that would prevent them from staying on Earth but merely the fact that they have by now become used to not staying anywhere.
Kaor, Paul!
I think I understand. The Nomadic culture and way of life has made it difficult for most Nomads to permanently settle down anywhere.
Ad astra! Sean
Sean,
That's it. For those who really are addicted to Nomadism. A lot leave. But the initial suggestion is that they could sense subtle differences between the Terrestrial and Rendezvous environments and it is that suggestion that I questioned.
Paul.
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