"'Preliminary semantic analysis suggests [the Kirkasanters'] abstractions and constructs aren't quite like ours, but do fall well within the human psych range.'" (p. 246)
How far can abstractions and constructs differ and still apply to the same universe? A bat's perceptions are auditory, not visual. When we enter a bookshop or a library, we think that there are a lot of books there whereas an intelligent paper-eating insect would think that there is a lot of food there. It seems that a single material universe can be many perceptual and conceptual universes. Sf needs to show us more aliens effectively inhabiting different universes and not communicating with each other as easily as human beings, Ythrians, Merseians etc.
5 comments:
Kaor, Paul!
In "Nightpiece" Anderson did exactly that, showing us a really strange and alien non-human race, and one which had co-evolved with mankind on Earth. It was so strange that "Nightpiece" was one of the hardest stories to understand written by him.
Ad astra! Sean
Sean,
In fact, I do not understand it.
Paul.
Kaor, Paul!
I can't truly say I understand "Nightpiece," despite writing an essay about it. Anderson did say in his preface he wanted to try something different from the way he usually wrote, and he succeeded.
Ad astra! Sean
Different species have to deal with the same physical universe. This sets limits to difference.
Kaor, Mr. Stirling!
I certainly agree with that, as a general rule. But I am not sure how to apply that to the very strange beings glimpsed in "Nightpiece." I should probably reread that story and my essay about it.
Ad astra! Sean
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