In Robert Heinlein's Future History, Volume III,
Revolt In 2100, simultaneous technological progress and social breakdown have resulted in the misuse of communications technology by a theocratic dictatorship (the annual return of the First Prophet from Heaven in the body of the current Prophet is faked on television) whereas in Poul Anderson's
The Technological Civilization Saga, Volume III,
Rise Of The Terran Empire, cartelization within the Polesotechnic League results in civil war, the decline of the League and a Time of Troubles ended only by the founding of the Terran Empire.
However, the Prophets are overthrown in the Future History, Volume III, whereas the Terran Empire endures until the mid-point of the Saga, Volume VII, Flandry's Legacy. In both cases, a better civilization emerges, although not without problems, later.
Future History: good. Technic History: bigger and better.
1 comment:
Kaor, Paul!
And in THE DAY OF THEIR RETURN we see a much more carefully scenario of how Aycharaych used advanced tech to puppet master a false prophet---with the "prophet" not realizing he was a puppet!
Ad astra! Sean
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