(no subject)

I finished Nancy Kress' The Beggars of Spain last night. The title points to a thought experiment early in the novel between two "Sleepless," people who were genetically modified to not need sleep (which also creates the side effects of being intelligent, very emotionally stable, achievement oriented, and extremely long lived). The hyperrational Sleepless wrestle with the problem of their relationship to a culture in which Sleepers are jealous and distrustful of them an yet benefit from the advances that the Sleepless can provide. There's a philosophy of mutually beneficial contractual relationships that acknowledges the benefits need not be equal, and supports the idea of giving money to a beggar. The main character and the philosophy can articulate the responsibility to care for others with a rational basis, but in the early part of the book, the main character can not provide an answer to the question what one does in the face of overwhelming need when (in the thought experiment) the other has nothing to contribute.

I was a little irked at the lack of answer, and that hook kept me reading. The answer, a belief in the possibility of transformation and an acknowledgment of the uncertainty of outcome, came in the last few pages. I love how Kress explores some of the core Quaker testimonies (Equality, Community) with these hyperrational characters.

One of my experiences is that of thinking through the many different routes to understanding what i perceive to be deep truths. I recognize that some language and frames of reference make understanding and communicating some conclusions easier than others (while introducing plenty of ease for different errors). I like traveling between the frames and the different perspectives they offer, but that lack of commitment to one frame of understanding is why i feel so comfortable labeling myself heretic. No one who has a strong affinity for a particular frame will find me orthodox at all.

I will admit to a certain enjoyment of the irony of me staying up late and not getting the sleep i need to read about characters who need no sleep.