Archie Brock looks at a snow-laden landscape as if he had never seen one before:
"And indeed, he thought I never have - not really." (p. 113)
The dog, Joe (we are told) understands most of what Archie says but, of course, cannot respond linguistically.
The chimpanzee, Mehitabel, wearing specially made clothes and fur cap, repeats the word, "Cold, " in the pidgin dialect devised by her, her mate, Jimmy, and Archie.
Mehitabel works on the farm, e.g., fetching hay and grinding corn, while Jimmy cooks and keeps house. An inarticulate human imbecile, probably escaped from an asylum, helps to milk the cows. Jimmy offers to kill the imbecile but Archie finds a use for him.
Jumbo the elephant breaks ice with her trunk and carries water from the emergency pump to the tank.
Walls have had to replace mere fences although the sheep have now learned to respect Archie's fences.
Animals have become more sensitive and aware without being able either to express their enhanced awareness or to do much about it. Archie must take one sheep out of sight of the others for Mehitabel to slaughter it. It will seem to them just that one of their number has departed and not returned. Archie can name the sheep for Joe to bring.
6 comments:
Kaor, Paul!
One thing I don't recall PA speculating about in BRAIN WAVE is what to do about the large numbers mentally criminals. All of a sudden you are going to have a large number of more than genius level murderers, rapists, sadists, robbers, sex and drug traffickers, etc. Increased abilities will make criminals much harder to control and penalize. Last, one factor which has somewhat limited crime is that many criminals are dull witted or stupid.
Ad astra! Sean
"many criminals are dull witted or stupid."
Is that because greater intelligence allows one to figure out how to get things you desire without harming others? If so, a general increase in intelligence would reduce crime.
Kaor, Jim!
I very strongly doubt that would be the case. Criminals are bad people who don't care about the harm they cause as long as they get what they want. Otherwise they would not be criminals. Unexpectedly large numbers of mentally enhanced thugs would become far more efficient criminals.
Ad astra! Sean
The reason most criminals in jail are stupid is that you have to be stupid to be caught, or careless.
Kaor, Mr. Stirling!
And that as well! So we should be glad so many criminals are stupid.
Ad astra! Sean
Sean: no, smart criminals usually get away with it. Their crimes aren't even usually reported.
Post a Comment