LITR 4632: Literature of the Future

Web-Highlight 2007

Monday, 25 June: Web-highlighter: Jenny Aleman-Spray

"Chocco" really represents the most optimistic and balanced scenario of our future, incorporating limited but necessary technology into a predominantly agrarian society.  Of greatest note is the fact that these people thrive, not because of technology, but in spite of technology, choosing to concentrate most of their efforts on the perfection of the inner being and the culture, rather than abandoning inner peace and longevity for mechanical immediacy and lethargy and impotence at the hands of automation. 

Kevin Kaup June 30, 2005

The citizens of Chocco wish to make a society that does not suffer from the same problems as the one before it.  This can be seen as a cautionary tale, not just for those in Chocco, but for people today.  I think of the Industrial Revolution and wonder if it has ever actually stopped.  It seems that every day there is a new update for computer programs or someone has thought up something new to make life easier.  The author of “Chocco” expresses what he believes to be the consequences of such a combination of government and technology, and this story can be seen as his way of warning people of what might come if things go too far.

Annie McCormick 30 June 2005

Silverberg’s “House of Bones” also flips the take on the modern man by sending the future into the past.  In Europe’s Ice Age, the future homo sapien is a bit of a retard among the prehistoric man.  All the technological advancements separate from his knowledge of the earth.  Although he cannot wait to share his ability to build bridges and make beer, without the ability to build shelter from bones and other organic materials, the narrator would have died alone with all of his technological knowledge trapped only in his mind.

Lori Nolen  June 30, 2005