I've heard this before, and it was a common complaint about a lot of Heinlein's works, particularly his Future History series.
I could not agree more.
They were all escaping from something that had exhausted its positive possibilities, while taking the best of their time to a better place. Farnham's Freehold? Escaping nuclear war. Methuselah's Children? Avoiding the death of the Howard Families by those jealous of their longer lives.
If you want a Symbol for this, think of Columbus sailing past the Islamic fortress city of Granada, while Granada was on fire! Islamic expansion into Europe was collapsing, and the best of Europe - Christopher Columbus, Bearer of the Light of Christ to to the New World, backed by all of the personal wealth of Isabella, escaped the Old World to build the New World.
Escape?
Damn right.
Some cancers can not be cured, and must be, shall we say, "replaced."
There was a member of the Roissysphere who wrote a series of very short pieces - some only a short paragraph or two, under the title, "We Don't Have To Live Like This." In each of them, we see someone who realizes they made one compromise too many with those who would destroy them - slowly, to be sure, but relentlessly, destroy them - and had the Moment of Awakening - an Initiatory Event - where they took back control of their lives on their terms, often at a dramatic, irrevocable cost.
One too many compromises will do that.
One, as I recall, was a young woman who saw a mother talking with her newborn, looked at her corporate life, went home and threw way her birth control, then began to change her wardrobe, and called her mother, her aunt's, and all of her friends, telling them she had changed her mind and was very interested in the whole Wife and Mother thing.
One compromise too many, and with one Moment of Realization things can start to change TODAY.
Another featured someone who had, unbeknownst to him, had been doxxed and was gangstalked by a tv reporter who opened the door to people, stuck the camera in their faces, and presented irrefutable of their very unWoke writings. The reporter was used to their victims begging forgiveness, and seeking mercy.
Not today!
The Hero realized, one way or another, his old life was OVER!
He took matters into his own hands rather dramatically, beating the reporter and his camera guy mercilessly.
These Moment Of Awakening Vignettes can be compiled on this Substack, and Substack is running articles on how people arr writing novels, one page at a time, on Substack.
The Critical Drinker reviewed the movie "Falling Down," some years ago. He took another look at it, and his review is masterful.
I've a copy of Resavager on the table and I enjoy your post and think your a very good writer.....but...
Idk....the whole space thing. It just seems like collective escapism. I am afraid that mankind is bound to this earth and fantasy's about running away are just that....fantasy's
You are definitely moving in the right direction.
A major theme might be dealing with those who do not want us to move forward/ The best of us versus the rest of us.
Just an idea.
Please, please keep going!
yes def a theme, the longhouse must be stopped
I've heard this before, and it was a common complaint about a lot of Heinlein's works, particularly his Future History series.
I could not agree more.
They were all escaping from something that had exhausted its positive possibilities, while taking the best of their time to a better place. Farnham's Freehold? Escaping nuclear war. Methuselah's Children? Avoiding the death of the Howard Families by those jealous of their longer lives.
If you want a Symbol for this, think of Columbus sailing past the Islamic fortress city of Granada, while Granada was on fire! Islamic expansion into Europe was collapsing, and the best of Europe - Christopher Columbus, Bearer of the Light of Christ to to the New World, backed by all of the personal wealth of Isabella, escaped the Old World to build the New World.
Escape?
Damn right.
Some cancers can not be cured, and must be, shall we say, "replaced."
There was a member of the Roissysphere who wrote a series of very short pieces - some only a short paragraph or two, under the title, "We Don't Have To Live Like This." In each of them, we see someone who realizes they made one compromise too many with those who would destroy them - slowly, to be sure, but relentlessly, destroy them - and had the Moment of Awakening - an Initiatory Event - where they took back control of their lives on their terms, often at a dramatic, irrevocable cost.
One too many compromises will do that.
One, as I recall, was a young woman who saw a mother talking with her newborn, looked at her corporate life, went home and threw way her birth control, then began to change her wardrobe, and called her mother, her aunt's, and all of her friends, telling them she had changed her mind and was very interested in the whole Wife and Mother thing.
One compromise too many, and with one Moment of Realization things can start to change TODAY.
Another featured someone who had, unbeknownst to him, had been doxxed and was gangstalked by a tv reporter who opened the door to people, stuck the camera in their faces, and presented irrefutable of their very unWoke writings. The reporter was used to their victims begging forgiveness, and seeking mercy.
Not today!
The Hero realized, one way or another, his old life was OVER!
He took matters into his own hands rather dramatically, beating the reporter and his camera guy mercilessly.
These Moment Of Awakening Vignettes can be compiled on this Substack, and Substack is running articles on how people arr writing novels, one page at a time, on Substack.
The Critical Drinker reviewed the movie "Falling Down," some years ago. He took another look at it, and his review is masterful.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgNWg-a2EgE
Something to think about, because...
We Don't Have To Live Like This.
You are onto something.
Make the most of it.
While you can.
Thank you!
I've a copy of Resavager on the table and I enjoy your post and think your a very good writer.....but...
Idk....the whole space thing. It just seems like collective escapism. I am afraid that mankind is bound to this earth and fantasy's about running away are just that....fantasy's
Moar please! Definitely the right direction!!
🤝