Happy!Nihilists? Oh, dear.

[naturestrangled]

Vera, rather pleased with the world, has spent the greater part of the last few days writing out a mass of new pamphlets. These, for those who've spoken with her before, take a considerably more moderate stance -- they call for a gradual shift to republican government, rather than immediate (forcible) removal of monarchs (possibly due to the recent

Comments

[likeclearwater]

Sadik takes the pamphlet politely and reads it. And reads it again. And then frowns, and reads it again, in hopes it will make more sense to her, this time.

It doesn't.

"But, sister," she says, confused and earnest, "I don't understand. This would only substitute a new state for an old one."

[naturestrangled]

"A new state, yes, but one that -- unlike the old -- gives the people a voice."

[likeclearwater]

"'The people'?" Sadik asks, befuddled but wanting to understand, "Do you mean the community?"

[naturestrangled]

"The citizens, yes. Those who must abide by laws must have a part in creating them. Those who rule must be held responsible for how they rule, and care for those affected by their actions. It is . . . different, here. There seems to be no leader. But there is no harm in education."

[likeclearwater]

Sadik frowns. "But you don't need laws or... 'rulers'? Governments?"

[naturestrangled]

"Some degree of order is usually beneficial; most nations are not yet ready for a complete lack of government, if they ever will be."

[likeclearwater]

"There's no government on Anarres," Sadik says reasonably.

[naturestrangled]

"Where is Anarres?" she asks, curious.

[likeclearwater]

Blink. Um. Well.

"It's." She pauses. "It's Anarres. The second planet? In the double planet system around Tau Ceti - that's what the Hainish call it.

[naturestrangled]

"I've never heard of such a place."

[likeclearwater]

"It exists anyway," Sadik says firmly.

[naturestrangled]

"I am certain it does. Many people here come from places I am unfamiliar with."