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The Measure of the Universe

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When's the last time you typed in words to tell a computer what to do? Back in the DOS era? Or maybe you are young enough to never have used DOS and you're not sure what it is. That's the dilemma of a very technologically advanced planet in a future time that has completely forgotten the history of written language. They have to send a scholar to try to find out how written language developed on Earth.

"The Measure of the Universe" foresees a time when human communication has moved beyond words to something like images or brainwaves. If you want to know more, and to think about what this will mean for inter-planetary species communication, read Ellen Larson's extremely entertaining and provocative novel. In addition to a fascinating story, it is set is a beautiful and romantic Greek island that is only changed from our present day by some unobstrusive technology. Larson's lush descriptions and charming characters make this a fast-moving yet very smart read.

If you are a teacher of the history of language or of communication, you might consider assigning "Measure of the Universe." It will get your students thinking and talking about the history of communication, communication in the future, and the vulnerability of free speech across all times and governments. It reminds me somewhat of the writings of Ursula LeGuin, but due to the very amusing dialogue, not so deadly serious.

This book gives the best argument I've ever seen for the value of science fiction in just one great line (p. 35): "I've never looked to the future for the answers...only to the past"

The Measure Of The Universe by Ellen Larson is the story of an archeologist from Aldebaran who arrives in the Greek isles for the purpose of studying ancient inscriptions. He meets a sharp-tongued professor of paleography and the alien teams up with the human, joined by a mutual love of exploring ancient ruins and writings, only to discover a hidden plot against both their worlds. The Measure Of The Universe is enthusiastically recommended to science fiction enthusiasts as an original, wild, and fun-loving romp touching on limits between and beyond human and nonhuman cultures alike.