A mental mismatch

[abacch02]

The latter portion of Chapter 16 and basically the entirety of Chapter 17 in Heinlein's novel I feel is the most compelling portion of my readings so far.

I believe it was Chris who mentioned in class one day that science fiction is famous for representing the values, beliefs, and practices of the society and time period in which they are written.

Comments

[kstanley]

Professor La Paz’s tact and sound logic is shown in stark contrast his opponent’s arguments. Arguments which are lined with holes and ad hominem attacks. Even the role of the press distorting the events of the story to sway the masses and showing the influence of a biased media is spot on.

In the end, the Lunar representatives show that the world leaders can’t just force an entire group into almost indentured servitude based on an agreement that is at best nebulous and at worst totalitaria

And what also came through to me is the idea that the Earth government people just didn't get it. They were so caught up in thinking about the Moon people in a certain way (as criminals and/or employee/slaves) that they did not even realize that they were treating the Moon people unfairly.

I think it is important to understand how even a society founded on democratic ideals can and will go against those ideals if it feels that its interests are threatened.