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“I shall keep it as short as circumstances permit. Fellow associates, we have here a unique opportunity, probably one which has not occurred before in history.’’
( . . . college students stranded on a wilderness planet. Need to create new society/culture/government from scratch . . . )
“As Cowper pointed out, we must proceed with care. But, already we have set out on the wrong foot. Our object should be to found the first truly scientific community.”
( . . . smartest should rule the rest - right?)
“Yet what do I find? You are proposing to select an executive by counting noses! Leaders should not be chosen by popular whim; they should be determined by rigorous scientific criteria. Once selected, those leaders must have full scientific freedom to direct the bio-group in accordance with natural law, unhampered by such artificial anachronisms as statutes, constitutions, and courts of law. We have here an adequate supply of healthy females; we have the means to breed scientifically a new race, a super race, a race which, if I may say so—"
Well . . . this sounds Robespierre and Rousseau and the French Revolution. Changed Notre Dame (our lady) to ‘Temple of Reason’. Horrible result. Created the first ‘terrorists’ - French attorneys!
This is faith (worship) in human reason. Never works. Why? As his older sister explains . . .
“I didn't get straight A's in emotional logic and military leadership for nothing. Man is not a rational animal; he is a rationalizing animal.’’
So . . . so . . . true!
Heinlein promoting anarchy? No . . .
“What is the prime knowledge acquired by our race? That without which the rest is useless? What flame must we guard like vestal virgins?"
Some one called out, "Fire."
Cowper shook his head.
"Writing!"
"The decimal system."
"Atomics!"
"The wheel, of course."
"No, none of those. They are all important, but they are not the keystone. The greatest invention of mankind is government. It is also the hardest of all. More individualistic than cats, nevertheless we have learned to cooperate more efficiently than ants or bees or termites. Wilder, bloodier, and more deadly than sharks, we have learned to live together as peacefully as lambs. But these things are not easy. That is why that which we do tonight will decide our future . . . and perhaps the future of our children, our children's children, our descendants far into the womb of time. We are not picking a temporary survival leader; we are setting up a government. We must do it with care. We must pick a chief executive for our new nation, a mayor of our city-state. But we must draw up a constitution, sign articles binding us together. We must organize and plan."
Heinlein is here dramatically showing the difference between the French and American Revolutions. One confident in the rationality of the human mind (French) the other certain of the selfishness in the human heart (American). Which one endured?
Also, highlights the divide between abstract, philosophical notions (so pretty) and ‘wisdom proved righteous by its results’ (so ugly). Decartes vs Newton.
What’s the appeal of this abstract, philosophical method?
“But on other subjects talk was endless. Cowper held a town meeting every evening. These started with committee reports—the committee on food resources and natural conservation, the committees on artifacts and inventory, on waste disposal and camp sanitation, on exterior security, on human resources and labor allotment, on recruitment and immigration, on conservation of arts and sciences, on constitution, codification, and justice, on food preparation, on housing and city planning—Cowper seemed to enjoy the endless talk and Rod was forced to admit that the others appeared to have a good time, too—he surprised himself by discovering that he too looked forward to the evenings.’’
Right! Talk, argument is just so . . . so . . . fun! Besides, you could get your way. And results don’t matter!
“It was the village's social life, the only recreation. Each session produced wordy battles, personal remarks and caustic criticisms; what was lacking in the gentlemanly formality found in older congresses was made up in spice. Rod liked to sprawl on the ground with his ear near Jimmy Throxton and listen to Jimmy's slanderous asides about the intelligence, motives, and ancestry of each speaker. He waited for Caroline's disorderly heckling.’’
Is this any different than twitter and Facebook?
The choice between individual, personal responsibility and group, collective control is the thread that weaves the story into a striking tapestry.
In fact, drama begins with high school course on individual survival. Required course for colonial degree.
“I don't know how much outer zoology they are teaching you kids these days—from the ignoramuses we get for recruits I've reached the conclusion that this new-fangled 'functional education' has abolished studying in favor of developing their cute little personalities.’’
How did he know???
Another bright thread - expecting ‘Fair’ is foolish, even stupid!
“"Prof, this isn't a fair test. I'm checking out."
"What's unfair about it? Not that we meant to make it fair."
"Well, you could dump us any place—"
"That's right."
"—the back side of the Moon, in vacuum up to our chins. Or onto a chlorine planet. Or the middle of an ocean. I don't know whether to take a space suit, or a canoe. So the deuce with it. Real life isn't like that."
“It isn't, eh?" Matson said softly. "That's what Jonah said when the whale swallowed him." He added,
"But I will give you some hints. We mean this test to be passed by anyone bright enough to deserve it. So we won't let you walk into a poisonous atmosphere, or a vacuum, without a mask. If you are dumped into water, land won't be too far to swim. And so on. While I don't know where you are going, I did see the list of test areas for this year's classes. A smart man can survive in any of them. You ought to realize, son, that the Board of Education would have nothing to gain by killing off all its candidates for the key professions."
The student sat down again as suddenly as he had stood up. The instructor said,
"Change your mind again?"
"Uh, yes, sir. If it's a fair test, I'll take it." Matson shook his head.
"You've already flunked it. You're excused. Don't bother the Registrar; I'll notify him."
Foolish, stubborn, self-centered ignorance is consistently ridiculed. Great!
I first read this as teenager. Reread again for the third (?) time. Maybe I can persuade my grandson . . .
- Audio CD
- Publisher: Brilliance Audio; Unabridged edition (March 10, 2015)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 1501237756
- ISBN-13: 978-1501237751
- Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 5.5 x 0.2 inches
- Shipping Weight: 7.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
- Customer Reviews: 268 customer reviews
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#4,360,903 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #99390 in Teen & Young Adult Literature & Fiction
- #65295 in Books on CD
- #19612 in Teen & Young Adult Science Fiction
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