08-17-2009, 08:19 PM | #21 | |
Join Date: Mar 2006
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Re: Flat Black
Quote:
Such extravagant speculation! It is sheer irresponsibility, the most ephemeral flight of fancy; a supposition which can rest on no more solid foundations than airs and vapours. Incidentally, the irony of the work's Latin title and the later meaning of that phrase in modern languages has always titilated me somewhat. Whatever Plato's Republic is, it is no republic. ;) But then, I suppose that since most places that refer to themselves as being some variation of 'The People's Democratic Republic' can confidently be assumed to be none of these things, we should not be especially surprised to find an ancient example of this phenomenon, however accidental.
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08-17-2009, 08:26 PM | #22 |
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Re: Flat Black
It is no more unlikely than speculations that I might have read Aristotle's Politics or Parkinson's Evolution of Political Thought.
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08-17-2009, 08:53 PM | #23 |
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Re: Flat Black
But to venture any assessment on the likelyhood or lack thereof regarding your perusal of these works would be a gross liberty, I should think. One more becoming of a biographicist than an aesthete.
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08-17-2009, 09:26 PM | #24 | |
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Re: Flat Black
Quote:
I know, it's not remotely like the usual readings. But it's kind of like Heinlein's Space Cadet, where the three space services are defined in terms reminiscent of Plato's guardians, auxiliaries, and commoners, and where the motto of the Patrol is Quis custodiet ipsos custodes? Bill Stoddard |
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08-17-2009, 09:40 PM | #25 |
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Oz
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Re: Flat Black
It is, similarly, possible that I might have read Space Cadet. I'm rather keen on Heinlein's writing up to about 1966.
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08-17-2009, 09:51 PM | #26 | |
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Re: Flat Black
Quote:
The Imperial solution to this perennial solution is similar, but influenced by the particular technological projection for the setting. Imperials generally do not accumulate property; being fed, housed and equipped at the expense of the Empire and receiving a modest salary for which they usually have little use. They do have children, but the children are raised at least partly in Imperial crechés where they are indoctrinated as the selfless, ruthless philanthropists that the Empire wants. The key difference is that there is no serious attempt to remove the external temptations that lead men to corruption and selfish acts. Instead, the internal motivations that make men suspectible to such temptations are bred out, selected against and quite literally replaced with The Right Stuff, the mental state which makes someone an ideal Imperial. This procedure does not have a 100% success rate. Not all children born to Imperials have The Right Stuff. Most have a compatible temperament and motivations, but not the awesome detachment and moral courage which is needed to bear the responsibilities of high Imperial office. The Empire can use all the honourable and dedicated people they can get, finding places for them where they will never be faced with a decision where they might need to sacrifice thousands to save millions. Some, a very few, but some, emerge from the crechés still incapable of discharging any sort of responsibility. Those are found some unimportant jobs to do in order to keep them busy, fed and content. Colonial recruits make up about half of their numbers and even though most colonies are parochial to the extent of being almost ignorant of the Empire and inclined to be resentful of it when they do remember it, there are still people out there in agreement with the aims of the Empire or at least compatible enough with them to qualify. Mostly, colonials get assigned to parts of the Imperial Service where they may serve but not influence policy too much, but there are those exceptional individuals who naturally develop into the kind of selfless servant of humanity that the Empire treasures.
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08-17-2009, 10:21 PM | #27 |
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Some links
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08-17-2009, 10:26 PM | #28 | |
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Location: Lawrence, KS
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Re: Flat Black
Quote:
Bill Stoddard |
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08-17-2009, 10:47 PM | #29 | |
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Oz
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Re: Flat Black
Quote:
Other works that influenced FLAT BLACK (and that I am aware of) include:
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Decay is inherent in all composite things. Nod head. Get treat. Last edited by Agemegos; 08-18-2009 at 01:37 AM. |
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08-18-2009, 12:56 AM | #30 | |
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Lawrence, KS
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Re: Flat Black
Quote:
Bill Stoddard |
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Tags |
flat black, planetary romance, sci-fi |
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