Vulcan's Hammer

VULCAN'S HAMMER
by Philip K. Dick
New York: Ace Books, 1960
Double Novel Books


On a recent trip to the city, I needed a small book to read. I grabbed a Double Novel Book from 1960 to carry in my purse. It contained Dick's Vulcan's Hammer and The Skynappers by John Brunner. I haven't gotten to the latter yet. I aquired this book sometime in college, while working at a science fiction library. I adore these little trade gems they used to put out at $.35 a copy.

Vulcan's Hammer takes place in a future Earth where a single body - Unity - governs the planet. It is set up like one huge beaurocratic entity with levels of Directors and clerks, making for a cut-throat work culture filled with paranoia and suspicion. Man's great achievement in the elimination of war and conflict was to create super computers that could rule in stead of a single human or human body. But there is a Movement afoot, led by the Healers, to bring down the super Vulcan computers a cease man's subservience to the machines.

The general idea of this novel is great. A constant theme in science fiction is the idea of eradicating war and conflict, either on Earth or in the Universe. Instead of a global tribunal or President of Earth, Dick chooses a machine. Taking away the unstable emotions and hypocrisies of humanity and ruling by logic and fact alone. In the crazy, war-torn world of today the idea is still tempting. But, as with any distopia, the perfect idea is never perfect. The urge to move up in the system turns people into spies, sneaks, and saboteurs. You create a larger and larger gap between the rich and the poor. And, of course, the big computer starts functioning in a way unimagined by it's creators. As in I, robot the machine tries to eliminate the human element, reasoning their existence away. It exemplifies many fears that came about when the computer age was in its infancy.
In 1960 the computer was a new technology not available to the everyman, but absolutely fascinating. Most computers took up entire rooms and were programmed using punch cards. They were utilized by governments and scientists, and it took trained experts to make them work. All of these ideas are how Dick envisions his Vulcan computers - massive chambers of tubes and wires that were only worked on by the most skilled of electricians and engineers, used by only the most elite in Unity. Of course, the story both praises the computer age and is wary of it. Dick almost seems jealous of the rift between the users and those below, when Father Fields, head of the Movement, says:

"You'll put an end to the cult of the technocrat?...For experts only - run by and for those oriented around verbal knowledge; I'm so damn sick of that. Mind stuff- as if manual skills like bricklaying and pip=fitting weren't worth talking about. As if all those people who work with their hands, the skill of their fingers...I'm tired of having those people looked down on."

This fear, mistrust, and jealousy is part of what leads to the Movement to begin with. Just as a communist revolt seeks to strike down the rich, elite bourgeoisie that seem to make living as poor or middle class unbearable.

Reading a story like this in 2008 puts the reader in a very different place than its original audience. Computers are now the tools of everyday, available to the masses. They are used not only for science and business, but for pleasure and entertainment - blogs, news, porn, lolcats, whatever. Robots also play a significant part of this future world, and though we don't have automated robot taxis, we are getting there with robot vacuums and manufacturing. Other little tidbits that call attention to its time: giving a sick man a cigarette (today, cigarettes are often used deliberately in fiction as part of character development; back then it was just so common that leaving them out was more of a statement), and all the people in charge being men. There are few women, and they play emotional people, or secretaries. This would also have been a 1960s cultural mindset. These little moments just made me smile while reading it. They brought me back to the time when there seemed to be more wide-eyed amazement in the world.

Despite the dated view of the computer, I think that the themes in Vulcan's Hammer are still relevant. So much today has been computerized and mechanized. More and more our lives exist on computer networks and government databases. The human element is being removed step by step - we are that mistrusted. And can you blame them? War and social upheaval are just as a part of the world today as fifty years ago. The temptation to trust important decisions to the non-human is not just an idea - computers that run simulations help make decisions for travel, war, and the economy. And we are more global today than ever. We're not yet at a single country with a single ruler, but if one considers 'power' in terms of the economic control, then things aren't that far off. I think there is still the opportunity for this type of future. Despite years of writers questioning AI the science continues to blossom. Are we doomed by our machines, or will they in time save us?



(image from wwww.philipkdick.com)

I like things a little Gorey

I have been reading Edward Gorey's Amphigorey, a collection of his books all under one cover, and of course, I am smitten. I don't remember the first time I ever saw a Gorey illustration, or read one of his quirky stories. All I remember is always adoring his work.
Will now indulge myself in a Gorey orgy - reading books after book. At Halloween his style of art is perfect - the dark and macabre, his wonderful skeletons and creepy Victorian scenes. It is no wonder that "Mystery" took his work for the opening - who better to illustrate a murder than the man who drew The Gashleycrumb Tinies.
Re-reading the Tinies, and other stories of his, it makes me think about how Amphigorey is in the children's section (PZ7 in the Lib of Congress classification). Granted, he never did me any harm as a child, but parents today are uptight and paranoid that the slightest thing will make their child scarred for life or a pervert, or worse, make them look like bad parents. I love the dark and gothic feel of his art, and I am not a dark person. Maybe he's just too loved. There must be someone out there who is terribly against him. There always id. Stupid is a guarantee in this world.

All I know is that I will never have enough Gorey in my life. I have long considered turning one of his illustrations in to a tattoo - that way I can take him with me wherever I go.

Back in to Orbit

Orbiter

Warren Ellis's Orbiter is set on a future Earth. The scene opens on a dilapidated Kennedy Space Center that has become a shanty town. Manned space flight has ended. The worst has happened. A decade earlier the shuttle Venture and her crew vanished without a trace. Space exploration pretty much stopped.

Then suddenly the ship returns, her crew gone but for her captain. He is crazy. The ship is changed. Who will figure out the mystery? The military? The former astronauts? The rocket scientists? The shrink?

The story grips you in the ways that the science fiction from the 1950s did. I am a huge dork about space, space travel and exploration. I'm a wannabe astronaut who would be heartbroken if manned space flight ever truly ended.

I picked up this graphic novel for the same reason that I've picked up so many - Warren Ellis. And he does not disappoint. Orbiter is less of the cutting remarks and weirdness that marks so much of works, such as Transmetropolitan, and more focused on the science fiction story he is creating. Any fan of classic science fiction stories, of Asimov and Sagan, will enjoy Orbiter.

I suggest beginning with Ellis's introduction. It is far from necessary to enjoy the story, but it helps you appreciate where he is coming from. It is dedicated to the astronauts who died in the Columbia accident, and it is clear why. Any accident or problem that occurs with space flight threatens its future. The is a multi-billion dollar venture, and the public is always wary of putting human lives on the line. I feel that Orbiter comes from Ellis's heart, much more that those works that come from his internet surfing and wit. Oh, his wit and humour is still there. It is still a Warren Ellis work. But it feels different.

Orbiter is a must read for any Ellis fan, any sci-fi fan, and any space flight fan. Even people who don't like comics/graphic novels need to read this one. The art work by Colleen Doran is clean and beautiful. Just look at the amazing cover and you'll want to open it up for more.


(image from Amazon.com - buy Orbiter)

Harry Potter and the Dealthy Hallows

Yes, I am a Potter fan. I refused in the beginning to be a part of the hoopla, but my sister pushed me. I snuck a watch at the first movie (by then I think the second film was already out) and Maggie Smith made me read the book. ^_^

So, since then, the Potter series has eaten my soul. I went to college where I met people who were more in to the 'fandom' and sucked me into it a bit as well. I even took part in a roll-play or two (eek!). But now it is over. I have my soul back - a little battered and worn, but no longer lurking in dark corners of Hogwarts looking for horcruxes and potions masters.

I'd never been so excited to get a book as I was for this one (even more than Warren Ellis's Crooked Little Vein). For the first time ever, I pre-ordered it. It got to me on Saturday the 21st, I ripped open the box and began reading.

There were, of course mixed emotions throughout my reading. I am that annoying type of person who gets emotionally attached to fictional characters, so it was difficult seeing these people die and get hurt. In addition, Rowling went places I didn't want her to. I found myself yelling out loud at the lump of paper in front of me. The book was better written then some of the others (coughbook5cough). Though some sections were not written or plotted in the greatest way, I felt that style and grace were often put aside for the sake of the fans. There was a lot

I am actually finishing this 'review' months after my initial reading - just never got around to it. I think I'll read it again soonish and really pour out my thoughts. But overall, I'm both sad and glad that the series is over. I hope she never sells out and goes back on her word about not writing more about their lives. I think that their futures are important, but can be left in the realm of fanfic-ers.

English Reformation and early printing

For a great blog on a summer tour/seminar of early printing and the Reformation, check out this blog: Reformation of the Book by a Special Collections librarian. If anything, there are beautiful photos and interesting tidbits of book history.

Fry me up a Hippo, you Liar

I am nearly done with Stephen Fry's The Hippopotamus. I know, reviews are usually done after the book is fully read, but this is more a review on the author.

This is the second book I have read by Stephen Fry
, one of my favorite actors. The other is The Liar. And yes, that is precisely why I wanted to read him. I saw that he had written a number of books, not just some lame memoir with six ghost writers feeding him words and grammar. And what I found was that he is actually a legitimate writer. Who knew. The whole search was spawned by my buying the DVDs of A Bit of Fry and Laurie. Hugh Laurie is also a writer of fiction, and pretty good as well.

But I have a bone to pick with Mr. Fry. He has me hooked and bemused, damnit. I cannot for the life of me figure if he's a good writer or not. Sure, I could read reviews by professionals and all that, but that takes away all the fun. What do professionals know, anyhow?

I can never figure out what the hell one of his books is about. The title is certainly no help. The Liar became clear about midway through, but I'll be damned if I can see the relation to hippos in the other. I'm probably missing something. It could be the whole stubborn personality of the main character (who I cannot for the life of me get to sound like anyone BUT Fry in my head). He's all quiet and drunk-like then bites your head off and charges. Or something. BUt even title aside, the style of narrative jumps around from character, POV and even chronologically. Both The Liar and The Hippopotamus take the scenic route through a story. There is a story, however. It's slow to appear, but there is a story to be had. But slow doesn't equal boring. That's the thing! I can hardly put the books down! The jumping to and fro is confusing sometimes, but more often intriguing. The storyline is either complex or weird enough to keep attention. The characters are incredibly delicious, and I find myself willing to put up with all of Mr. Fry's literary mishigas just to see what the hell happens to them all.

So, what does this all mean? Besides, of course, that I will likely continue to read his books until I figure it all out. Maybe whether or not he's any good doesn't matter. I enjoy reading him, so isn't that enough? But I'm a snob and I've seen so many terrible books that are better drooled upon than read.
I am also concerned about my biases. Of course all readings are subjective. However, are my opinions of him as an actor clouding my opinions of his writing? I have been a fan of his since I first set eyes on Jeeves as a child. I have sought out his movies, and bounced on the couch with glee when he shows up in something I'm watching. Despite my thoughts on actors writing books (which is usually a horrible mistake) I sought his out. Perhaps it is even the sound of his voice narrating in my head that sways me (I had the same exact issue with Hugh Laurie's The Gun Seller).

I also wonder if it is the British. I am not ashamed of admitting that, like many Americans, I have long been a fan of many things British. Having no cable as a I kid I grew up with many Brit-coms on PBS. Despite my efforts I have many "Britishisms" in my vocabulary. (Cursing in public goes much more smoothly when it's just a 'bloody hell' or 'bollocks' and no one really know s what you are saying. They tend to think the Brits sound posh, so it must be ok.) While traveling in Manhattan the other day, reading my Fry on the subway and ferry, I noticed just how much I was enjoying the main character's style of thought. It is so terribly British in a way that I really cannot put into words. I found myself playing with this style in my head - describing the city around me as curmudgeonly and pessimistically as Ted Wallace would. It was fun to then flit between that and the v. American 'urban beauty around me' style. It's a matter of the subway being either 'a wretched stinking box filled with all flavors of wretched stinking people who are just trying to get from one part of their wretched stinking lives to another' or 'an unique microcosm of the world with a million stories, lives, and experiences all crossing paths at that one glorious moment, never to be repeated' or something like that.

Oh well. ::shrugs:: I guess I am doomed to merely enjoy his movies, tv shows, AND books for all time, never quite knowing why.

They'll publish anything. Really

So, a book crossed paths with my life today. This is one of those books that makes you stop and think about how there is a book out there on everything and anything, and for anyone. And there are no ends to the self-help and DIY worlds.

The male escort's handbook : your guide to getting rich the hard way by Aaron Lawrence. Yup. It's about getting into the male escort business. It's written by a man who has been in this business so long that he has accolades for it. Plus, lest you be one to try and claim that escorts have nothing to do with the sex industry, he is also an adult film actor. And the picture of him looks like he's the biggest uke sub ever, but I digress.

I am a lover of books. I love the information they can hold, but also the objects themselves. One thing I love, is that you can write about anything,and apparently, get it published. Ok, technically, there are any number of minute publishing houses that will put even the most horrible dribble into print, if you pay them for it. But still. And here in the US there are no limits to what you can publish. Freedom not only to write, to read, and of speech, but to think.

So, I guess that books about how to make it as a male escort make me think. No, this will likely not be as treasured a volume in a hundred years as we now treasure the works of Dickens. Or will we? Is it any less important a book, or should it be treated as less, because of the content? I don't know. My impetus would be to say no. It IS important, because for whatever reason, the author felt it needed to be written, and I guarantee that it has been read by grateful men and women. Maybe books like this are how the future will remember our time. I dunno. I'd rather have it out there than someone saying it can't be.