The Sword and Laser discussion

So I found that there were a number of areas that I found problematic in this book. And one of those areas for me where the Damie, am I spelling that right I read via audiobook. The most obvious one was the use of them by their so-called guardians as a tourist attraction. But I'd like to talk about their views on disability and given the suicide murder of a disabled person that Triptree did shortly after it was published has me wondering how much this dovetails with her own views.

1. They ostracize any disabled members of their society that are disabled even though this is something that occurs commonly for them and they recently went through an event that would have disabled many of them.

2. Type of spider that indicates a fate worse than death which given the text I believe means disability.

3. (view spoiler)[ The parents are grateful that Nile, the young Damie child we meet, is able to die whole. Instead of being angry at their child's death and encouraging Doctor Ochter to keep going. Or having him stop because it's what *she* wants.

4. Ochter's actions with Nile are seen as good instead of incredibly dangerous and resulting in tragedy. Yes, she would have lived with a disability for the rest of her life but she might have lived. (hide spoiler)]

Anyway, those are my observations and thoughts anyone else have any?

The native inhabitants of Damiem are called Dameii (plural) or Damei (singular)

Nyil is the young female Damei.

Yes viewing the Dameii seemed very exploitive. Which may have been Tiptoe's point. Pointing the lens back on us and the way native people's culture here has been exploited for commercial gain.

Shunning of the disabled or being different from what is considered "normal" has been a part of many cultures throughout human history. Sadly it still happens in some parts of the world. Being born albino in parts of Africa can be a death sentence.

Tassie Dave wrote: "Yes viewing the Dameii seemed very exploitive. Which may have been Tiptoe's point. ..."

I think this one is true.

(view spoiler)[ The Dameii at the end decide that it is so expoitative that they might as well be paid for it - and the way the humans were just so surprised that the Dameii wanted plumbing, or to earn money, that seemed too overt not to be commentary.

In comparison, they seem remarkably quick to acquiesce to the Dameii's wishes when it comes to Nyil getting a 'good' death. That does seem to line up with Dazerla's point. (hide spoiler)]