(urth) The significance of Apu Punchau

[David Stockhoff]

Jeff Obviously, this is not a matter that can be truly resolved. You're 
right that the destiny-control machinery must be used for something, and 
we are told in general terms what that is. But again I'd have to assert 
that, if common-sense analysis means anything here, one archipelago per 
galaxy is simply not enough computing power, however you measure it, to 
micromanage each world in a galaxy---but also that it would surely 
require such energy to run (and there has to be implementation as well) 
that it would take an entire universe to feed it. And the question of 
purpose remains unanswered. So I'd again have to reject any theory that 
requires such micromanagement, as unsupported. And infinitely repeated 
iterations of the same universe with an Earth in every one fits that 
description. Of course, how exactly to define "micro" is a problem as 
well. We can't. The possibility it tantalizing, and Wolfe has certainly 
given us clues that point us at such a theory. Also, I admit that the 
theory of TBotNS as a parody or travesty of the orthodox (since 
Boethius) theory of God's existence outside time would only benefit from 
such a ridiculous and pointless effort at control by ordinary beings. 
Still, you can't embrace a theory just because Wolfe points to it. He 
points to error as well. We need an Inquisition to sort this out .... 
------------------------------ Message: 5 Date: Wed, 31 Dec 2008 
00:04:20 -0600 From: Jeff Wilson <jwilson at io.com> Subject: Re: (urth) 
The significance of Apu Punchau To: The Urth Mailing List 
<urth at lists.urth.net> Message-ID: <495B0B64.30605 at io.com> Content-Type: 
text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed David Stockhoff wrote:

> > Pedro, by no means should you STFU. But please respond in plain text if 
> > you can. I've been forgetting, myself, but reading your posts reminded me!
> > 
> > The iterative-Urth theory can't ever be totally dismissed, because the 
> > Hieros specifically have been granted the means and the arrogance to 
> > carry it out. But it seems like a huge waste of energy to me, both 
> > literally and figuratively. How much improvement would each iteration 
> > yield? How much micromanagement would be required, even if you assume 
> > that probabilities cluster for your convenience, and even if you assume 
> > vast computers run Yesod?
>   

Assume? We are specifically shown the insides of the Yesodi's planet is 
crammed full of machinery, and specifically told each archipelago is 
dedicated to the destiny of a galaxy in Briah.


> > At some point, the manipulative theories begin to ascribe so much power 
> > to the manipulators, Hiero or Increate, that the protagonist's struggles 
> > become meaningless. One may as well write a novel that consists of 
> > counting to 1000 and back again. That's what I refuse to accept, even 
> > though cyclicality clearly is a concept TBotNS plays with.
>   

The Yesodis are very powerful, but they are also spread very thin - an 
archipelago per galaxy implies Father Inire might be the only one that 
can be spared to watch over Earth full time - so Borski might be right 
about his many disguises, as he would have to wear as many hats.

-- Jeff Wilson - jwilson at io.com < http://www.io.com/~jwilson > 
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