Sally Morem

Hi Kenosis23, David Brin perhaps doesn't realize how new and rare large, free, powerful, democratic societies are in the history of the world. Almost all of our ancestors going back thousands of generations (at least) had zero experience with such things. They could only envision what they lived in, dirt poor, very hierarchical, dependent on the physical strength and wileyness of their leaders for survival. Which is why I think Joseph Campbell nailed it when he hypothesized that the mythic stories really rang true for people around the world BECAUSE they summarized the truth of the human situation through fantasy.. Since we Americans do live in a free, large, powerful, democratic society, I suspect this is why science fiction rings true for us. Unfortunately, David Brin is far too politically correct to think through the implications of all this. Thanks for your comments.

Kenosis23

As I was reading your essay, it occurred to me that I have heard another version of some of the points of the "Star War Saga" that Brin objects to, and it is called "Evolution." 1) The Elites are fit to rule, because they are the survivors. 2) Being an Elite is hereditary. I'm sure if I thought more deeply on this matter I could cover the rest of them also. Certainly, the others are similar to some assumptions we make in everyday life. Brin needs to chill! :-)