So, how good was Heinlein's vision—or looked at another way, have we kept pace with his vision? Let's look at the technology first.
Well, we made it the moon eight years after the book was published, but we are nowhere close to establishing a colony. It would probably take a major effort over five or ten years just to go back and stand in Neil Armstrong's footsteps, much less start a colony. And that's if we could generate the political will to want to do it. In fact, at this moment, Americans can't even get into low-earth orbit. That's not because of a failure of technology, however, it's because of fear. And Mars? Forget about it. Heinlein's first Mars voyage took place using technology somewhat similar to what we have now; he said it would take 285 days each way, plus a wait of a little more than a year while on Mars to wait for a good planetary alignment. By the second trip, which would be taking place around this time, a new technology (he called it Lyle drive, instead of warp drive or hyperdrive) had shortened the trip to 19 days each way. In other words, we're not even close.
How about earth transportation? Flying cars, buses, and taxis are the norm in the book. They are even unpiloted—you just punch in your destination and off you go. Well, we have cruise control and OnStar, and DVD players for the kids in the back seat. Reality is still lagging behind.
Instead of TV, there is sterovision. There's no real detail, but I'm assuming that the stereo part means a three-D image or holograph, instead of a TV with surround sound. Since it is also referred to as a tank, or is disguised as an aquarium, it's probably the former. So we are somewhat lagging here, but big screen HDTVs probably keep us close. And phones have telescreens in the book—you can make video calls. We could do that now—but speaking as a typical home office worker, that would mean getting dressed and presentable before making calls. Not all advancement is an improvement.
The one place technologically that puts us far ahead of the book is in computer technology and the Internet. Nothing close to the Web is in the book; you can get books (recorded electronically in some fashion) that project their text and allow high-speed scanning, but it appears that you have to get a physical copy of the text. We are far ahead in digitalization of information.
Article comments
1 - The Theory
man, i read this back when I was, like, 14... since it's been, what? 6 years since then I don't really remember the book. I just remember enjoying it.
I should re-read that, actually.
2 - Bennett
It's funny that you mention Scientology, as the story is that Hubbard and Heinlein were knocking back a few and decided to see who could write a better book about a "new religion".
Heinlein wrote "Stranger", L.Ron started Scientology.
I do have to objet to your representation of where we stand regarding a moon colony.
We ARE mounting a huge effort, there IS the political will to get it done (mainly to preempt China I think), and NASA's Return to Earth Orbit happens on July 13th.
Otherwise I enjoyed your review of a book I must have read 5 times, at least. It's highly entertaining!
3 - Bruce Kratofil
Bennett,
If we are mounting a huge effort, it's flying under my radar. I actually thought about mentioning the Chinese, but the review was just getting too long.
I think a problem with the space effort, at least as far as govt. efforts, is that the number one goal is to never have anything go wrong and never have an astronaut die. That makes secondary goals, like the Moon or Mars, hard to reach.
4 - Bennett
Bruce,
Too true, but with a new NASA administrator in place, one who understands risk vs accomplishment, the environment at NASA is changing rapidly.
Here is a short BC post on this.
And with private industy being encouraged to take up some of the action that historically was kept within NASA, things are beginning to move very fast indeed.
We live in exciting times.
5 - Michael
Which version did you read? His widow released an "Unabridged" version in the 90s that adds about another 1/3 to the book, much of it sexually-charged. It makes Michael Valentine a more complete person... even if a horn-dog.
6 - Bruce Kratofil
Michael --
I read the version that's pictured on the page above; or at least, that's what the cover looks like. The date, which comes up automatically from Amazon, says 1995 here, although the printing date on the copyright page of the book says 1987. The copyright date is still 1961.
As I was reading it, I thought it was somewhat sexually charged for 1961, althrough it wouldn't raise an eyebrow today. Maybe I read the unabridged, but I don't know.
7 - DrPat
The version from '95 is the original (edited) release. The "author's original" version (I've reread both recently) is proof positive that even a great writer like RAH needed an editor...
8 - Michael
This is the book in which Heinlein invents the waterbed.
9 - gonzo marx
folks,
READ THIS BOOK!!
it is my Opinion that Heinlein is to the 20th century what Twain was to the 19th
i consider him one of the most Important authors from America, and if there can be said to be a single individual that inspired our space program, it would be RAH...
over 80% of NASA staff up until the mid 90's state that they got into space tech because of Heinlein
he was so influential that the other authors of sci fi had to invent the "Grand Master" award
this book, originally titled "the Sound of his Wings" was a project he worked on and stepped away from for most of his earlier career, and makes a demarcation between his earlier "hard science" fiction and his creation of what he called "speculative fiction"
this book was not so much about tech and hardware as it was about speculation and observation of sociopolitical trends and cultural observations, and is clearly a step into Literature as opposed to the genre's pulp origins
i consider it not only an Important work in american literature, but also the only example of an Objectivist Gnostic Myth
his "Universal Church of Truth" provided repeatable and observable "miracles" which anyone could learn once they had mastered the Knowledge of the Martian language...and the "mythological" twist of the main Protagonists ultimate Fate is a metaphysical dual edged sword that may take some people more than a single reading to "grok in fullness"
this is a modern "Passion" displayed as nothing more than engaging and entertaining Literature...what more can one ask from a book?
two other "must reads" from this Author are shown at the bottom of the Post...
the Moon is a Harsh Mistress is another sociopolitical exploration that teaches about civics, revolution and politics...all the while being one hell of an entertaining Story
and Job: a Comedy of Justice is both a poke at dogma and an inspiring love story that can stand with anything
so sayeth yer gonzo
Excelsior!
10 - Bennett
READ THIS BOOK!!
Dead nuts on gonzo. Thanks for saying the things I would have said had I been you.
11 - Michael
The unabridged has a black cover and explicitly states that it is the "complete and unabridged" version. It won't offer any huge differences in the story, merely extending and enhancing it a bit.
12 - gonzo marx
my copy of the unabridged is a red leather bound and gilt edged pages
i also have a first edition, as well as the same paperback shown in the Post
if memory serves, the unabridged is about 80,000 words longer, and the biggest difference is in the conversation between Jubal and Ben concerning what happened in the Nest one evening that made Ben run away
a bit racy for 1961, but would earn a PG at best today
read the book
nuff said?
Excelsior!
13 - Jan
Thanks for this review. What memories it raises about the whole Heinlein list. If you liked this, be sure to check out:
Time Enough for Love
The Past Through Tomorrow
I Will Fear No Evil
I found them tremendously mind stretching re cultural assumptions of gender, family identity, and lots of steamy stuff for a late teen of my day [the 70s]. I think many of us thought of his stuff as really 'underground' then.
Complete bibliography at:
http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/authors/Robert_Heinlein.htm
I think I'll check my library and rethink what the stories were really about. I would imagine I'll have a completely different reaction as a middle-aged adult!
14 - Bruce Kratofil
It appears we have some real Heinlein fans here.
Anyone else want to take a crack at what year the story takes place?
15 - Bennett
As you said, he overestimated some technology, and didn't plan on having Senator Proxmire kill off funding for NASA in the 80's.
I'd say 2030 is a good bet for both the societal feel, as well as where our space program will be. What scares me is that we may have to go through a version "If This Goes On" where the government becomes a Religious Dictatorship. That story is in "Future History", a great collection of Heinlein at his best.
Also:
Tunnel In The Sky
Farnham's Freehold
Glory Road
Orphans Of The Sky
The Door Into Summer
All stand outs.
16 - CP
I've just read 'stranger', the first Heinlein book i've ever read. I picked the book in a second hand shop at random, not realising the importance of Heinlein... Well, now i Grok how great an author he is... for a couple of days after finishing 'stranger' i kept using grok in conversation by accident, and people gave me funny looks...fair enough!
The 'religion' of water brothers is pretty impossible, but would be great, in an ideal world.
The book has some great observations of religion, faith and just about everything, but it certainly doesn't offer a solution...unless his prediction of marshun lifestyle is as accurate as his other 'predictions'... which of course it is not. It is certainly not a novel to be taken too literaly in that respect!
Also it is really funny! When it starts describing the 'gods' looking down on earth it, straightening their halos, it is a reminder to not take the whole thing too seriously. Apparently some people set up cults based on Michael's ideas. Pretty dumb really! They missed the point i think... If there is a point as such... i'm not so sure there is you know, beyond telling the truth as Heinlein sees it. Great book though. It reminds me of the problem posed at the end of Asimov's foundation and earth. And Michael is a similar character to R. Daneel Olivaw don't you think? From innocence to omnipotence.
17 - lucas
i am reading this book it is very weird. i could not realize how different some one would act from a different planet. we are going to the moon but not to mars, yet. this book is weird having a grown man learn most what a baby knows. i am still reading it. this book is really good.