Childhood’s End: Childhood’s End: That’s No Way to Get to HeavenThat’s No Way to Get to Heaven

FeracoFeraco

Myth to Science FictionMyth to Science Fiction

14 January 201314 January 2013

“‘“‘All political problems can be solved by All political problems can be solved by the correct application of power.’the correct application of power.’

‘‘That sounds a rather cynical remark. That sounds a rather cynical remark. It’s a little too much like “Might is Right.” In It’s a little too much like “Might is Right.” In our own past, the use of power has been our own past, the use of power has been notably unsuccessful in solving anything.’notably unsuccessful in solving anything.’

‘‘The operative word is The operative word is correct.correct. You have You have never possessed real power, or the never possessed real power, or the knowledge necessary to apply it. As in all knowledge necessary to apply it. As in all problems, there are efficient and inefficient problems, there are efficient and inefficient approaches. Suppose, for example, that one approaches. Suppose, for example, that one of your nations, led by some fanatical ruler, of your nations, led by some fanatical ruler, tried to revolt against me. The highly tried to revolt against me. The highly inefficient answer to such a threat would be inefficient answer to such a threat would be some billions of horsepower in the shape of some billions of horsepower in the shape of atomic bombs. If I used enough bombs, the atomic bombs. If I used enough bombs, the solution would be complete and final. It solution would be complete and final. It would also, as I remarked, be inefficient – would also, as I remarked, be inefficient – even if it possessed no other defects.’even if it possessed no other defects.’

‘‘And the efficient solution?’And the efficient solution?’ ‘‘That requires about as much power That requires about as much power

as a small radio transmitter – and rather as a small radio transmitter – and rather simple skills to operate. For it’s the simple skills to operate. For it’s the application application of the power, not its amount, of the power, not its amount, that matters. How long do you think that matters. How long do you think Hitler’s career as dictator of Germany Hitler’s career as dictator of Germany would have lasted, if wherever he went a would have lasted, if wherever he went a voice was talking quietly in his ear? Or if a voice was talking quietly in his ear? Or if a steady musical note, loud enough to steady musical note, loud enough to drown all other sounds and to prevent drown all other sounds and to prevent sleep, filled his brain night and day? sleep, filled his brain night and day? Nothing brutal, you appreciate. Yet, in the Nothing brutal, you appreciate. Yet, in the final analysis, just as irresistible as a final analysis, just as irresistible as a tritium bomb.’” (62-63) tritium bomb.’” (62-63)

““The Overlords seemed largely The Overlords seemed largely indifferent to forms of government, provided indifferent to forms of government, provided that they were not oppressive or corrupt. that they were not oppressive or corrupt. Earth still possessed democracies, Earth still possessed democracies, monarchies, benevolent dictatorships, monarchies, benevolent dictatorships, communism, and capitalism. This was a communism, and capitalism. This was a source of great surprise to many simple souls source of great surprise to many simple souls who were quite convinced that theirs was the who were quite convinced that theirs was the only possible way of life. Others believed that only possible way of life. Others believed that Karellen was merely waiting to introduce a Karellen was merely waiting to introduce a system which would sweep away all existing system which would sweep away all existing forms of society, and so had not bothered forms of society, and so had not bothered with minor political reforms. But this, like all with minor political reforms. But this, like all other speculations concerning the Overlords, other speculations concerning the Overlords, was pure guesswork. No one knew their was pure guesswork. No one knew their motives: and no one knew toward what motives: and no one knew toward what future they were shepherding mankind.” (19)future they were shepherding mankind.” (19)

““The invaders had brought peace The invaders had brought peace and prosperity to Earth – but who and prosperity to Earth – but who knew what the cost might be? knew what the cost might be? History was not reassuring; even the History was not reassuring; even the most peaceable of contacts between most peaceable of contacts between races at very different cultural levels races at very different cultural levels had often resulted in the obliteration had often resulted in the obliteration of the more backwards society.” (21)of the more backwards society.” (21)

““For the past month, the world’s For the past month, the world’s papers had divided themselves into two papers had divided themselves into two sharply defined groups. The Western sharply defined groups. The Western press, on the whole, approved of press, on the whole, approved of Karellen’s plan to make all men citizens of Karellen’s plan to make all men citizens of the world. The Eastern countries, on the the world. The Eastern countries, on the other hand, were undergoing violent but other hand, were undergoing violent but largely synthetic spasms of national pride. largely synthetic spasms of national pride. Some of them had been independent for Some of them had been independent for little more than a generation, and felt that little more than a generation, and felt that they had been cheated out of their gains. they had been cheated out of their gains. Criticism of the Overlords was widespread Criticism of the Overlords was widespread and energetic: after an initial period of and energetic: after an initial period of extreme caution, the press had quickly extreme caution, the press had quickly found that it could be as rude to Karellen found that it could be as rude to Karellen as it liked and nothing would happen. Now as it liked and nothing would happen. Now it was excelling itself.it was excelling itself.

Most of these attacks, though Most of these attacks, though very vocal, were not representative very vocal, were not representative of the great mass of the people. of the great mass of the people. Along the frontiers that would soon Along the frontiers that would soon be gone forever the guards had been be gone forever the guards had been doubled, but the soldiers eyed each doubled, but the soldiers eyed each other with a still inarticulate other with a still inarticulate friendliness. The politicians and the friendliness. The politicians and the generals might storm and rave, but generals might storm and rave, but the silently waiting millions felt that, the silently waiting millions felt that, none too soon, a long and bloody none too soon, a long and bloody chapter of history was coming to an chapter of history was coming to an end.” (23)end.” (23)

““I can understand your fear that I can understand your fear that the traditions and cultures of little the traditions and cultures of little countries will be overwhelmed when countries will be overwhelmed when the world state arrives. But you are the world state arrives. But you are wrong; it is useless to cling to the wrong; it is useless to cling to the past. Even before the Overlords past. Even before the Overlords came to Earth, the sovereign state came to Earth, the sovereign state was dying. They have merely was dying. They have merely hastened its end: no one can save it hastened its end: no one can save it now – and no one should try.” – now – and no one should try.” – Stormgren (37)Stormgren (37)

“‘“‘In fifty years,’ Wainwright said In fifty years,’ Wainwright said bitterly, ‘the damage will be done. bitterly, ‘the damage will be done. Those who remember our Those who remember our independence will be dead; humanity independence will be dead; humanity will have forgotten its heritage.’will have forgotten its heritage.’

Words – empty words, thought Words – empty words, thought Stormgren. The words for which men Stormgren. The words for which men had fought and died, and for which had fought and died, and for which they would never die or fight again. they would never die or fight again. And the world would be better for And the world would be better for it.” (48)it.” (48)

““During the next fifty years During the next fifty years there will be many crises, but they there will be many crises, but they will pass. The pattern of the future is will pass. The pattern of the future is clear enough, and one day all these clear enough, and one day all these difficulties will be forgotten – even to difficulties will be forgotten – even to a race with memories as long as a race with memories as long as yours.” – Karellen (51)yours.” – Karellen (51)

“‘“‘I have often wondered what your real I have often wondered what your real work might be. Tidying up our world and work might be. Tidying up our world and civilizing the human race is only a means – you civilizing the human race is only a means – you must have an end as well. Will we ever be able to must have an end as well. Will we ever be able to come out into space and see your universe – come out into space and see your universe – perhaps even help you in your tasks?’perhaps even help you in your tasks?’

‘‘You can put it that way,’ said Karellen – You can put it that way,’ said Karellen – and now his voice held a clear yet inexplicable and now his voice held a clear yet inexplicable note of sadness that left Stormgren strangely note of sadness that left Stormgren strangely perturbed.perturbed.

‘‘But suppose, after all, your experiment But suppose, after all, your experiment fails with man? We have known such things in fails with man? We have known such things in our own dealings with primitive human races. our own dealings with primitive human races. Surely you have had your failures too?’Surely you have had your failures too?’

‘‘Yes,’ said Karellen, so softly that Yes,’ said Karellen, so softly that Stormgren could scarcely hear him. ‘We have had Stormgren could scarcely hear him. ‘We have had our failures.’our failures.’

‘‘And what do you do then?’And what do you do then?’ ‘‘We wait – and try again.’” (52-53)We wait – and try again.’” (52-53)

““‘‘We have had our failures.’We have had our failures.’ Yes, Karellen, that was true: and were Yes, Karellen, that was true: and were youyou

the one who failed, before the dawn of human the one who failed, before the dawn of human history? It must have been a failure indeed, history? It must have been a failure indeed, thought Stormgren, for its echoes to roll down all thought Stormgren, for its echoes to roll down all the ages, to haunt the childhood of every race of the ages, to haunt the childhood of every race of man. Even in fifty years, could you overcome the man. Even in fifty years, could you overcome the power of all the myths and legends of the world? power of all the myths and legends of the world?

Yet Stormgren knew there would be no Yet Stormgren knew there would be no second failure. When the two races met again, second failure. When the two races met again, the Overlords would have won the trust and the Overlords would have won the trust and friendship of mankind, and not even the shock of friendship of mankind, and not even the shock of recognition could undo that work. They would go recognition could undo that work. They would go together into the future, and the unknown together into the future, and the unknown tragedy that must have darkened that past would tragedy that must have darkened that past would be lost forever down the dim corridors of be lost forever down the dim corridors of prehistoric time.” (55)prehistoric time.” (55)

““It was a tribute to the Overlords’ It was a tribute to the Overlords’ psychology, and to their careful years psychology, and to their careful years of preparation, that only a few people of preparation, that only a few people fainted. Yet there could have been fainted. Yet there could have been fewer still, anywhere in the world, fewer still, anywhere in the world, who did not feel the ancient terror who did not feel the ancient terror brush for one awful instant against brush for one awful instant against their minds before reason banished it their minds before reason banished it forever.forever.

There was no mistake. The There was no mistake. The leathery wings, the little horns, the leathery wings, the little horns, the barbed tail – all were there. The most barbed tail – all were there. The most terrible of all legends had come to terrible of all legends had come to life, out of the unknown past.” (61)life, out of the unknown past.” (61)

So we come to the end of Stormgren’s So we come to the end of Stormgren’s age. age.

The times of kidnapping dignitaries The times of kidnapping dignitaries for any sort of purpose, political or for any sort of purpose, political or otherwise, have faded into the past; otherwise, have faded into the past; Karellen will not need to send a chain of Karellen will not need to send a chain of machines to rescue his newest attaché, machines to rescue his newest attaché, partly because the need for the crime no partly because the need for the crime no longer exists and partly because he no longer exists and partly because he no longer requires said attaché. longer requires said attaché.

The Overlords can now walk among The Overlords can now walk among us; we even meet Rashaverak when he’s us; we even meet Rashaverak when he’s perusing the books in Rupert Boyce’s perusing the books in Rupert Boyce’s library, and mentally criticize his reading library, and mentally criticize his reading choices at that.choices at that.

Stormgren’s secret flashgun trick works – Stormgren’s secret flashgun trick works – not because it was brilliant, but because not because it was brilliant, but because Karellen didn’t want him to die without Karellen didn’t want him to die without knowing what he most desperately sought. knowing what he most desperately sought.

(It’s also a matter of trust, and Karellen is (It’s also a matter of trust, and Karellen is either extremely lucky or extremely perceptive either extremely lucky or extremely perceptive – for Stormgren never tells anyone what he – for Stormgren never tells anyone what he saw.) saw.)

Similarly, Jan Rodricks’s “Jonah and the Similarly, Jan Rodricks’s “Jonah and the Whale” trick works well enough to land him Whale” trick works well enough to land him safe passage as a stowaway aboard an safe passage as a stowaway aboard an Overlord ship, bound for their homeworld Overlord ship, bound for their homeworld around NGS 549672 (the name we gave the star around NGS 549672 (the name we gave the star in the Carina constellation that serves as the in the Carina constellation that serves as the Overlords’ sun). Overlords’ sun).

To Jan’s credit, he and Sullivan are able to To Jan’s credit, he and Sullivan are able to fool the Overlords just long enough to make it fool the Overlords just long enough to make it past the ship’s successful launch; once it’s past the ship’s successful launch; once it’s zipped away, there’s no real point in bringing zipped away, there’s no real point in bringing him back. him back.

This is, of course, for two reasons. This is, of course, for two reasons. The first, as Jan alludes to in his letter to The first, as Jan alludes to in his letter to

his sister Maia, is a matter of relativity. his sister Maia, is a matter of relativity. One of the central conceits of the One of the central conceits of the Star Star

TrekTrek universe is that mankind develops a universe is that mankind develops a technology that allows him to travel safely technology that allows him to travel safely beyond the speed of light, in defiance of beyond the speed of light, in defiance of every law of physics we currently every law of physics we currently understand. understand.

While we have no means of testing this While we have no means of testing this ourselves just yet, the theory of relativity ourselves just yet, the theory of relativity states that beyond light speed lies nothing – states that beyond light speed lies nothing – that’s infinite velocity for something with that’s infinite velocity for something with mass. (Light, being massless, can obviously mass. (Light, being massless, can obviously travel at light speed.) travel at light speed.)

Instead, objects with mass can approach Instead, objects with mass can approach light/infinite speed, but never reach it. light/infinite speed, but never reach it.

Moreover, the closer one gets to Moreover, the closer one gets to infinite speed, the odder one’s infinite speed, the odder one’s interactions with space and time. interactions with space and time.

For as one nears that universal speed For as one nears that universal speed limit, one begins to perceive time limit, one begins to perceive time differently – more slowly, to be specific. differently – more slowly, to be specific.

Once you pass a certain speed, the Once you pass a certain speed, the faster you go, the slower time moves for faster you go, the slower time moves for you. you.

So if I zip out of our solar system at, So if I zip out of our solar system at, say, .83 of light speed, I could travel for say, .83 of light speed, I could travel for what I perceive to be one month. what I perceive to be one month.

But when that month ended and I But when that month ended and I returned home, I would find that many, returned home, I would find that many, many years had passed.many years had passed.

Since the Overlords’ Stardrive (the Since the Overlords’ Stardrive (the secrets of which are unknown to mankind) secrets of which are unknown to mankind) gets them exceptionally close – more than gets them exceptionally close – more than 99 percent – of the way to light speed, 99 percent – of the way to light speed, they can make a journey that would take they can make a journey that would take forty years of normal time in the span of forty years of normal time in the span of two months. two months.

If they turned around after having If they turned around after having discovered Jan on board, they would have discovered Jan on board, they would have returned him to a world where everyone returned him to a world where everyone he’d known was already dead. he’d known was already dead.

Simply getting him to the homeworld Simply getting him to the homeworld and back again would take eighty years of and back again would take eighty years of our time; it’s simply not worth it.our time; it’s simply not worth it.

The other reason, of course, is that it The other reason, of course, is that it makes no difference whether Jan leaves makes no difference whether Jan leaves Earth, nor whether he sees the Overlords’ Earth, nor whether he sees the Overlords’ world. world.

Whatever understanding he gains from Whatever understanding he gains from the trip – and he gains a great deal – won’t the trip – and he gains a great deal – won’t ultimately have any relevance.ultimately have any relevance.

(Then again, if what Jan does is (Then again, if what Jan does is irrelevant, does anything we do matter?)irrelevant, does anything we do matter?)

At this point in the book, the reason the At this point in the book, the reason the Overlords arrived in our skies to begin with Overlords arrived in our skies to begin with still hasn’t been explained…and once it is, we still hasn’t been explained…and once it is, we begin to understand, in Jan’s words, that “the begin to understand, in Jan’s words, that “the universe, in all its awful immensity…was no universe, in all its awful immensity…was no place for man.” place for man.”

But to get to that point, we need to But to get to that point, we need to move through the so-called Golden Age. move through the so-called Golden Age.

It’s a period marked as much by It’s a period marked as much by absences as triumphs. absences as triumphs.

No ignorance, no disease, no No ignorance, no disease, no poverty, no fear, and no war. poverty, no fear, and no war.

Cities were rebuilt, or Cities were rebuilt, or abandoned once they outlived their abandoned once they outlived their usefulness. usefulness.

Production and manufacturing Production and manufacturing became increasingly mechanical and became increasingly mechanical and automatic. automatic.

All of the ordinary necessities of All of the ordinary necessities of life were virtually free; men worked life were virtually free; men worked for luxuries, or not at all.for luxuries, or not at all.

The governmental freedom the The governmental freedom the Overlords had permitted earlier (i.e., all Overlords had permitted earlier (i.e., all forms could persist as long as they were forms could persist as long as they were not oppressive) seemed unimportant in an not oppressive) seemed unimportant in an age where global travel was possible; age where global travel was possible; boundaries and borders still existed for boundaries and borders still existed for postal purposes, but everyone read and postal purposes, but everyone read and spoke English, everyone owned spoke English, everyone owned televisions, and anyone could travel televisions, and anyone could travel wherever he or she liked within a day. wherever he or she liked within a day.

(Remember, of course, that this was (Remember, of course, that this was written three to four decades before the written three to four decades before the popularization of the Internet, let alone popularization of the Internet, let alone the coarsening of televised news; had the coarsening of televised news; had Clarke written Clarke written Childhood’s End Childhood’s End more more recentlyrecently,, he surely would have used he surely would have used computers rather than televisions as the computers rather than televisions as the source of interconnecting information.)source of interconnecting information.)

With the specter of war removed, With the specter of war removed, mankind plows all of the money previously mankind plows all of the money previously set aside or spent on weaponry and defense set aside or spent on weaponry and defense into other areas; this is one of the principal into other areas; this is one of the principal reasons why the world can suddenly support reasons why the world can suddenly support a basic standard of living for all of its a basic standard of living for all of its inhabitants. inhabitants.

Crimes like burglary had essentially Crimes like burglary had essentially vanished; crimes of passion still existed but vanished; crimes of passion still existed but were very rare, particularly now that most of were very rare, particularly now that most of the stressors in ordinary human lives had the stressors in ordinary human lives had been removed. been removed.

For example, with the dawn of foolproof For example, with the dawn of foolproof contraceptives and foolproof parent-contraceptives and foolproof parent-identification tests, sexual mores underwent identification tests, sexual mores underwent significant changes; when coupled with significant changes; when coupled with spiritual changes, the nature of long-term spiritual changes, the nature of long-term relationships shifted as well.relationships shifted as well.

Life was slower, more tranquil. Life was slower, more tranquil. Education took longer and was far Education took longer and was far more thorough, and people returned more thorough, and people returned to school for refreshers throughout to school for refreshers throughout their lives. their lives.

Vehicles moved through air Vehicles moved through air rather than along the Earth’s rather than along the Earth’s surfaces. surfaces.

Buddhism still existed in Buddhism still existed in “purified” form, but it was a secular “purified” form, but it was a secular age; the use of a device that could age; the use of a device that could peer into the past revealed the peer into the past revealed the origins of the world’s faiths, and origins of the world’s faiths, and none survived in popular form.none survived in popular form.

Science also declined, along with Science also declined, along with religion: why spend a lifetime searching religion: why spend a lifetime searching for something the Overlords could for something the Overlords could already do? already do?

There was the indulgence of There was the indulgence of curiosity, certainly, as well as an curiosity, certainly, as well as an explosion in interest in what Clarke explosion in interest in what Clarke called the “descriptive sciences”. called the “descriptive sciences”.

Only theory fell to the wayside. Only theory fell to the wayside.

And without strife and conflict, And without strife and conflict, creative art largely disappeared.creative art largely disappeared.

But whether Kant would’ve But whether Kant would’ve approved or not, people were happy.approved or not, people were happy.

Chapters Seven and Eight work in tandem, Chapters Seven and Eight work in tandem, establishing some of our new characters – establishing some of our new characters – decades have passed since Stormgren died – decades have passed since Stormgren died – and to hint at the Overlords’ “true work” (they and to hint at the Overlords’ “true work” (they seem oddly interested in “psychic episodes,” seem oddly interested in “psychic episodes,” as well as garden-variety psychological study). as well as garden-variety psychological study).

George and Jean Greggson don’t seem George and Jean Greggson don’t seem particularly pleasant or interesting: whether particularly pleasant or interesting: whether this is intentional (highlighting Stormgren’s this is intentional (highlighting Stormgren’s positive characteristics by contrast, or showing positive characteristics by contrast, or showing how humans are changing in the new era) or how humans are changing in the new era) or not (Clarke’s tin-eared dialogue, the only not (Clarke’s tin-eared dialogue, the only blemish on an otherwise excellent read, may blemish on an otherwise excellent read, may just be bad writing) I leave for you to decide. just be bad writing) I leave for you to decide.

But they both end up becoming But they both end up becoming tremendously important, as the “séance tremendously important, as the “séance sequence” at Boyce’s place first indicates.sequence” at Boyce’s place first indicates.

Boyce himself is a fairly simple character Boyce himself is a fairly simple character in whom Clarke invests a minimum of attention. in whom Clarke invests a minimum of attention.

As a high-ranking animal caretaker and As a high-ranking animal caretaker and observer, Boyce is quite wealthy; by dint of his observer, Boyce is quite wealthy; by dint of his position, he also has access to some of the position, he also has access to some of the Overlords’ “toys.” Overlords’ “toys.”

A man of science, he nonetheless takes an A man of science, he nonetheless takes an aggressive interest in the paranormal, and it’s aggressive interest in the paranormal, and it’s his collection of books on the subject that draw his collection of books on the subject that draw Rashaverak to his library the night of the party Rashaverak to his library the night of the party George and Jean attend. George and Jean attend.

Jean shares Boyce’s interests, while Jean shares Boyce’s interests, while George dismisses them. George dismisses them.

Both, reluctantly or otherwise, participate Both, reluctantly or otherwise, participate in the extended “séance sequence”…and that’s in the extended “séance sequence”…and that’s where things start getting very, very odd.where things start getting very, very odd.

Before we get ahead of ourselves, we Before we get ahead of ourselves, we need to talk about Jan Rodricks, who’ll be need to talk about Jan Rodricks, who’ll be our protagonist for much of the rest of the our protagonist for much of the rest of the book. book.

As an astronomer, he’s a member of a As an astronomer, he’s a member of a tragic profession, studying the stars we’ll tragic profession, studying the stars we’ll forever be denied. forever be denied.

He shares some characteristics with He shares some characteristics with Rikki Stormgren: both are intelligent, both Rikki Stormgren: both are intelligent, both tend to isolate themselves, both feel a tend to isolate themselves, both feel a burning curiosity to discover things they burning curiosity to discover things they know they’ll probably never see, and they know they’ll probably never see, and they both hatch risky plans in order to learn both hatch risky plans in order to learn more about the Overlords. more about the Overlords.

It’s Jan who, at the end of the séance, It’s Jan who, at the end of the séance, asks which star is the Overlords’ sun, and asks which star is the Overlords’ sun, and only he understands the answer the disc only he understands the answer the disc spits back.spits back.

The answers from the séance in general, The answers from the séance in general, like Van Ryberg’s “Why the devil won’t he show like Van Ryberg’s “Why the devil won’t he show himself?” line, take on greater significance once himself?” line, take on greater significance once you come to understand what the people there you come to understand what the people there are tapping into, and why the Overlords have not are tapping into, and why the Overlords have not only arrived, but stayed. only arrived, but stayed.

When asked, “Who are you?”, the disc When asked, “Who are you?”, the disc replies: “I am all.” replies: “I am all.”

The thing that’s most surprising about the The thing that’s most surprising about the coordinates the disc spits out for the Overlords’ coordinates the disc spits out for the Overlords’ sun is not that they’re accurate, but that they’re sun is not that they’re accurate, but that they’re given in given in ourour language – or at least the language – or at least the terminology we use for designating and terminology we use for designating and cataloging distant stars. cataloging distant stars.

The Overlords do The Overlords do notnot call their sun NGS call their sun NGS 549672, and Jan realizes this means Rashaverak 549672, and Jan realizes this means Rashaverak couldn’t have been the source of the answer the couldn’t have been the source of the answer the disc provided. disc provided.

It’s a bizarre sequence, but it’s the first It’s a bizarre sequence, but it’s the first indication that something is, well, indication that something is, well, wrong.wrong.

And the abbreviated conversation And the abbreviated conversation between Karellen and Rashaverak that between Karellen and Rashaverak that follows – business about conduits and Prime follows – business about conduits and Prime Contacts that we don’t really understand – Contacts that we don’t really understand – manages to convey that something manages to convey that something significant is happening. significant is happening.

By the end of the book, we understand By the end of the book, we understand how Jean Morrel was the conduit for the how Jean Morrel was the conduit for the information the disc spelled out; we information the disc spelled out; we understand why the disc says it is “all”; we understand why the disc says it is “all”; we learn the quiet tragedy of the Overlords’ learn the quiet tragedy of the Overlords’ entire existence; and we understand why entire existence; and we understand why Clarke titled this book Clarke titled this book Childhood’s End.Childhood’s End.

No other title fits so well. No other title fits so well.