My completely subjective, totally unimpeachable, Top Five list of "Main characters in extreme isolation, voluntarily or otherwise" science fiction stories.
#5. The Gold at Starbow's End -- Frederik Pohl. Reviewed here:
A short story based on an interesting premise that at some point in the (near) future, mankind will stop making interesting, fundamental discoveries because we have too much knowledge and too much apparatus around us. In the story, the Americans launch eight astronauts in a spaceship on a ten-year journey to Alpha Centauri to land on its habitable planet called “Alpha-Aleph”. The trouble is, the planet does not exist and the spaceship has only sufficient fuel to reach the star system. More damningly, the American President and a very small circle of science and political advisors have sanctioned this one-way suicide mission, fully aware that the planet does not exist.
The rationale for proceeding with this 40-billion dollar hoax is the strong desire to advance fundamental knowledge, backed by the theory that if you throw together a small group of very intelligent people in extended isolation, they will learn to use the meagre tools at their disposal along with raw brain power to make new discoveries in fundamental sciences, especially if such thought process is not aimed at making specific discoveries. So the astronauts are taught basic number theory and elements of human communication and told to think about these as “recreational puzzles” during the long voyage. A multi-billion dollar ivory tower in action...
#4. "Huddling Place" -- Clifford Simak (one of several linked stories that comprise the novel City.)
In the distant future, man has colonized Mars and lives an apparently easy life, supported by efficient and intelligent robots. Intelligent Martians co-exist with the humans on that planet. The trend to suburbanization, first manifest in the mid-20th century, has continued, such that many (most?) humans on Earth live in isolated enclaves. Jerome Webster, the main character, is a human with expertise in Martian physiology, especially that of the brain. Like many other human adults, he suffers from progressive agoraphobia, which becomes extreme after his only son departs to spend time on Mars...
#3. "Nothing in the Dark" (Twilight Zone episode) -- George Clayton Johnson, Rod Serling. From the opening narration
"An old woman living in a nightmare, an old woman who has fought a thousand battles with death and always won. Now she's faced with a grim decision—whether or not to open a door..."
#2. "Heaven Sent" (Doctor Who episode) -- Steven Moffat. Episode summary here.
#1. I Am Legend/The Last Man on Earth/The Omega Man/The entire zombie genre. -- Original story, Richard Matheson.
Robert Neville appears to be the sole survivor of a pandemic that has killed most of the human population and turned the remainder into "vampires" that largely conform to their stereotypes in fiction and folklore...
Honorable Mentions:
Honorable Mention: Lost -- J.J. Abrams, Damon Lindelof, Carlton Cuse, Others
Honorable Mention: Moon -- Duncan Jones/Nathan Parker
Honorable Mention: "The Lonely" (Twilight Zone) -- Rod Serling
Honorable Mention: The Martian -- Andy Weir (novel). Andy Weir/Drew Goddard/ Ridley Scott (film.)
Honorable Mention: "The Silence" (Twilight Zone) -- Rod Serling
Come at me!
13 comments:
Well, I might as well toot my own horn now that it's relevant: I've written quite a few short stories with some theme of isolation, one of which actually got published in a SFWA market.
Here is "Starless Night."
Driftglass, these are all excellent choices. Will definitely check them out (well, the ones I haven't read or seen yet! :) )
naked sun and the aurorans in their robotic isolation..asimov
scanners live in vain cordwainer smith
lady who sailed the soul cordwainer smith
Moon with Sam Rockwell is awesome!
The plot of The Gold at Starbow's End sounds a lot like the plot of Destination: Void, by Frank Herbert.
-Doug in Sugar Pine
@dave - Do you mean the Haberman process that disconnects the scanners from their bodies is the isolation? Hadn't thought of it that way. That story is delightfully bizarre.
@Driftglass - Huddling Place is good. That's the future we get for doing away with the fucking extroverts. Eternity will have to fix it.
I think The Machine Stops could be on your list as well.
I think Pohl later expanded "The Gold at the Starbow's End" (which I admittedly haven't read) into the novel Starburst (which I have).
Earth Abides, by George R Stewart. End of the world story through disease. The main character's goal is to revive civilization but the kids prefer the tribal life.
You of all people left out "I Have No Mouth"
In this red state wonderland of conservative edicts.
Where public parks are closed. Restaurants closed, concert hals and theaters. All closed.
Deemed non essential by the right wing knows best.
Brings us the essential businesses that must remain open.
Pet Grooming. As essential as the pharmacy or grocery stores.
Barber shops and Beauty salons, Non essential.
brings to life the revisionist version of the movie classic, The shaggy Dog.
Or
The Day the human population became long haired dirty Fucking Hippies.
As Marty Mcfly and Doc go back to the 60's.
Waiting for Trump to tell us that Bell Bottom jeans will help prevent catching the Virus.
Science Fiction question for the master connoisseur.
Was there any science fiction movies done during the "silent Movie" era?
Do you have a favorite from that category, if it exists?
The Last Man, by Mary Shelley
Total Eclipse,by John Brunnerten
Dhalgren (?)
you're very funny, Robt
Post a Comment