"Because this world, out of all the billions, has certain physical characteristics, [Jorun] thought, my race has made them into standards. Our basic units of length and time and acceleration, our comparisons by which we classify the swarming planets of the Galaxy, they all go back ultimately to Earth. We bear that unspoken memorial to our birthplace within our whole civilization, and will bear it forever." (p. 264)
This same point is made in Asimov's Foundation Trilogy at least as regards units of time. See Future Standard Measurements.
The permanent legacy of Earth is expressed more than once:
"'[Earth] is a fair world,' [Jorun] said slowly.
"'It is the only one,' said Kormt. 'Man came from here; and to this, in the end, he must return.'" (p. 255)
In her concluding italicized passage, Sandra Miesel quotes a poet who said:
"'No matter how far we range, the salt and rhythm of her tides will always be in our blood.'" (p. 282)
This end is a new beginning. Miesel's concluding words are:
"One chapter has ended. Humankind's saga flows on." (ibid.)
1 comment:
Kaor, Paul!
Kormt is wrong, once mankind truly gets off Earth other places and worlds will become homes for humans as beloved as any similar place on Earth.
Ad astra! Sean
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