2004-07-23
Looking Backward
Been away too long - I've been spending a lot of my spare time reading sci-fi and working on an ultra-kewl top-secret project lately.
I've always liked old science fiction - stuff from the 1800s and early-ish 1900s, like Journey to the Center of the Earth. So I did a bit of looking into Science Fiction History and found out about a fellow named Edward Bellamy who wrote "Looking Backward: 2000-1887" in 1887.
I read the whole thing over a few of days. While it does fit in the science fiction category, it's mostly a description of a utopian society, which we mostly learn about through many chapters of conversations between a fellow from 1887 who wakes up in the year 2000, and his host.
Though it did drag on at times, I found the ideas fascinating. There are plenty of humanist and socialist ideas in there, but the fundamental principle seems to be shaping society to bring out the best in people, rather than the worst. Though I'm sure there's loads of criticism for it around - I'm going to look at that next, to temper myself.
I borrowed a video capture card from my good friend Tony, so I might have some goofy early 90s home video to share with you folks soon.
I've always liked old science fiction - stuff from the 1800s and early-ish 1900s, like Journey to the Center of the Earth. So I did a bit of looking into Science Fiction History and found out about a fellow named Edward Bellamy who wrote "Looking Backward: 2000-1887" in 1887.
I read the whole thing over a few of days. While it does fit in the science fiction category, it's mostly a description of a utopian society, which we mostly learn about through many chapters of conversations between a fellow from 1887 who wakes up in the year 2000, and his host.
Though it did drag on at times, I found the ideas fascinating. There are plenty of humanist and socialist ideas in there, but the fundamental principle seems to be shaping society to bring out the best in people, rather than the worst. Though I'm sure there's loads of criticism for it around - I'm going to look at that next, to temper myself.
I borrowed a video capture card from my good friend Tony, so I might have some goofy early 90s home video to share with you folks soon.
