In Poul Anderson's Psychotechnic History, as in Robert Heinlein's Future History and in Anderson's Technic History, an early period of scientific advance and extraterrestrial colonization is brought to an end by its own internal conflicts which, in this case, result not only from mass technological unemployment but also, more fundamentally, from a deep-rooted psychological resistance to the artificial conditions of civilization. The Second Dark Ages in the Psychotechnic History parallel the Time Of Troubles in the Technic History.
The Stellar Union is an interstellar civilization between the Second and Third Dark Ages just as the Terran Empire is an interstellar civilization between the Troubles and the Long Night. Finally, there is a Galactic civilization after the Third Dark Ages just as there are human civilizations in several spiral arms after the Long Night.
Future historians anticipate further conflicts and a longer term better outcome.
1 comment:
Kaor, Paul!
Sandra Miesel's comment at the end of "Starfog" indicates she was more doubtful about that "better outcome." Probably no surprise since she too, like me, is a Catholic. And Catholics should be skeptical of notions about "ideal" societies.
Ad astra! Sean
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