What's Next? discussion

“Science and machines can kill each other off or be replaced. Myth, seen in mirrors, incapable of being touched, stays on. If it is not immortal, it almost seems such.”

- From the author’s intro on why his book is myth, akin to stories about Egyptian, Norse or Roman/Greek gods, and not science fiction.


Classic “life on Mars” stories, set b/t 2030-2057, and published 19 years before the first moon landing. Post WWII and post nuclear view of the US space program and American culture, and attempts to colonize Mars told with a satirical and upbeat tone. Perspectives on time and permanence, especially since it’s already 2024!

Recommended read.

"...there was always a minority afraid of something, and a great majority afraid of the dark, afraid of the future, afraid of the past, afraid of the present, afraid of themselves and shadows of themselves.”

**************************************

Very clever stories of times when humans can migrate to Mars in the future (future being from the year 2030, while this book was first published in 1950); those who were the first explorers, those who managed to survived and stayed, those who were left behind, and the feelings and conflicts of those who were about to leave earth for good. The author made some brilliant "educated guesses" on how we humans behave in foreign and at times hostile situations, and also how the societies can become. Ironically funny writings but can put you in a somber mood too.

*************************************

“What are you looking at so hard, Dad?” “I was looking for Earthian logic, common sense, good government, peace, and responsibility.” “All that up there?” “No. I didn’t find it. It’s not there any more. Maybe it’ll never be there again. Maybe we fooled ourselves that it was ever there.”