The Sword and Laser discussion

Very late in the month to have finished it, I know, I know.

One thing bothered me. Their culture reveres singing. It's how they preserve their history. How they dedicate their bridges. The ability to sing well is even a necessary aspect of the test to get their flight wings. And of course their best singers - none too subtly named the Singers - are not only the preservers of the secret history, but the ruling class.

What's up with the obsession with silence then?

"You broke the silence."
"You could not keep the silence."

Those lines alone could make an unhealthy drinking game, in the story. Am I the only one who felt it made little sense for such a sing-song-y culture to be obsessed with silence in this way?

Actually, I feel it makes perfect sense, thematically. It has to do with contrast. How can you value singing, if it happens in a cacophony?
Think of a recital hall, a concert or a performance. We all value silence there because it allows us to focus on the art being presented.

Barak wrote: "Actually, I feel it makes perfect sense, thematically. It has to do with contrast. How can you value singing, if it happens in a cacophony?
Think of a recital hall, a concert or a performance. We a..."

Sure, that makes sense while people are singing but that's not what I'm talking about.

Keeping the silence seems to come when something of great importance is occurring. That they are usually singing lends more gravitas to the silence I suspect, songs come after great deeds, not during them.