Childhood's End by A.C. Clarke

[wiseheart]

I've re-read the book today, after some thirty years or so. Back then, when I first read it, I was very formally religious and there were certain aspects that I didn't like in the book.

Now, having a much more independent mindset, there are still certain aspects that I don't like it, although I must admit that it's a great story. Surprisingly enough, my main problem with it hasn't changed during the recent three decades.

Clarke shows the end of mankind as we know it and its development to becoming part of an incredible power that he calls the Overmind as something positive. As if it would be the ultimate fulfilment, even though the limited individuals who were left behind couldn't understand it. I don't know much about the great Eastern religions (or perhaps philosophies would be a better word?)... perhaps such a thing would appeal to a Buddhist. But for my hopelessly Western psychological make-up this would be the worst things that could ever happen.

Perhaps it's because there have always been people who tried to control or to manipulate me in many different ways, my individuality is very important to me. Personally, I'd never want to live forever as part of some great mental unit or energy cloud or whatnot. Give me room to expand mentally on this insignificant little planet, and I'll take death as the price gladly.

Clarke is a great writer. But practically everything I've ever read from him (and I've read a lot) left a bad aftertaste in my mouth: a feeling of utter hopelessness. Iwan Jefremow, my favourite Soviet sci-fi author, couldn't carry the cold water after Clarke (as we say it in Hungary) when it comes to writing skills, but at least his naive communist Utopias always gave me hope when I thought of the future.

Comments

[eye-of-a-cat.livejournal.com]

Personally, I'd never want to live forever as part of some great mental unit or energy cloud or whatnot.

Yeah, same here. I found it a really misery-inducing book too: 'not only is this the future of humanity, boys and girls, but it's the absolute inevitable future of humanity, and we're all getting closer and closer and closer...' And, yes, probably that's because I'm a limited contemporary human who doesn't understand the Overmind, but I don't think I much want to understand the Overmind. Ick.

There's a great story by Asimov (I think), called 'Eyes Do More Than See', about why evolving into a state of pure energy would be dismal. I loved it.

[wiseheart.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I prefer Asimov, too. And Bradbury. And a Polish guy by he name of Stanislaw Lem - he's one of the best sci-fi writers on this planet. Or was. I don't know if he still lives. But when you get hold of his Cyberiada, you'll laugh yourself silly and cry sometimes in-between. It's a wonderful anthology.