Two Changes

Should we reread Poul Anderson's early novel, Brain Wave (London, 1977), yet again? This novel addresses two issues that are dear to my heart:

(i) a transformation inside each conscious organism on Earth, particularly inside each individual human being;

(ii) a transformation of human society. (Should we use the word, "revolution"? I just did.)

In the novel, (i) causes (ii). A really big change within individuals would change the relationships between them and thus society. At the same time, a really big change in social conditions changes individual perceptions, expectations and aspirations. Someone condemned to continual struggle for his physical survival becomes increasingly suspicious and hostile whereas that same person assured of physical security and comfort develops a very different perspective.

(i) has two stages. First, a significant increase in intelligence. That alone changes society. Secondly, this increased intelligence brings about a resolution of the conflict between reason and emotion, an even bigger change.

The changes start small -

a rabbit figures how to escape from a trap;

a low IQ manual worker suddenly understands how easy it is to drive a car and realizes the significance of the statement that stars are remote suns;

a boy who likes algebra starts to invent differential calculus before breakfast;

a physicist who has:

"'...been trying to build a phase analyzer for intermolecular resonance bonds in crystal structure...'" (2, p. 14)

- wakes up "'...with an idea that might work.'" (ibid.);

his wife, left to her own devices, reads his copy of Lord Jim instead of a detective story and forgets about lunch;

a labour organizer wakes up with a reorganization plan that will halve his paperwork;

people on the subway are quieter and more thoughtful...

A great day is about to dawn.