Robert
asked
Lois McMaster Bujold:
Does the Cetagandan Empire generically engineer the commoners directly with injections/treatments, use trickle down genetics like a ghem trophy wife/husband or are they totally ignored? I’d think they watched and at the very least gave them resistance to illness
Lois McMaster Bujold
Textev never says outright, but the facts of their shown tech level implies they are certainly not below galactic standard in health care including basic genetic tweaking against gene-based disorders or deficits; and for those who use replicators, any fresh mutational accidents that happen during the chromosome do-si-do of fertilization as well. Cosmetic changes, hm. Basic ones probably allowed, but there might be a borderline at which such measures might start to impinge on the haut monopoly of the superpersons project. The haut would always stay a couple of generations ahead in any case.
Advanced tech levels pretty much have to be supported bottom-up, even if partially directed top-down, just to have the necessary educated people to do All. That. Work. At which point such persons will also be taking care of themselves and their own. The average Cetagandans probably find their 8 planets pretty nice places to live, and brush up against the secretive haut very seldom. The ghem would be more visible.
Real population sizes not addressed, but nowhere is as dense as Old Earth yet. Then or now.
Ta, L.
Textev never says outright, but the facts of their shown tech level implies they are certainly not below galactic standard in health care including basic genetic tweaking against gene-based disorders or deficits; and for those who use replicators, any fresh mutational accidents that happen during the chromosome do-si-do of fertilization as well. Cosmetic changes, hm. Basic ones probably allowed, but there might be a borderline at which such measures might start to impinge on the haut monopoly of the superpersons project. The haut would always stay a couple of generations ahead in any case.
Advanced tech levels pretty much have to be supported bottom-up, even if partially directed top-down, just to have the necessary educated people to do All. That. Work. At which point such persons will also be taking care of themselves and their own. The average Cetagandans probably find their 8 planets pretty nice places to live, and brush up against the secretive haut very seldom. The ghem would be more visible.
Real population sizes not addressed, but nowhere is as dense as Old Earth yet. Then or now.
Ta, L.
More Answered Questions
Meryl Federman
asked
Lois McMaster Bujold:
Two Qs - who's the Vorhalas referred to in Mirror Dance as potential PM to replace Aral? The Count seems too old and I'm not sure who else there is! Are there other Serg offspring who might cause problems for Gregor? I also have a theory that Ezar is Gregor's father, but wouldn't mind a rejection of it so I can let it go! I figure that Ezar might have "worked with" Kareen as part of the anti-Serg plan is all.
Andie
asked
Lois McMaster Bujold:
Good morning, I have a Komarr question next! I just wanted to check if I am interpreting correctly that men have "Ser" in front of their names, like Mr or Sir (unless they are Dr). It seems that women have "madame" ? Such an interesting world building detail you included here. Just curious, if you have a chance to reply. Thank you!
Carol
asked
Lois McMaster Bujold:
I really enjoy the Sharing Knife world. I liked the explanation of the age gap you had in the book. Lifespans. The lakewalkers live far longer than the farmers. Dag has family that lived to 120. Fauns 18 and Dags 54 with 60 more years together would reach old age together at 78 and 114. I know you are done with Faun and Dags story. Are you going to write anymore stories in this world?
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