(urth) FW: May 2014 Wolfe interview in _Technology Review_

[Gerry Quinn]

On 04/08/2014 20:18, Lee wrote: ----------------------------------------
>> Gerry Quinn: Shadow Children are referenced only in the second novella of the
>> trilogy. The entire novella takes the form of an SF mystery in which
>> 'scenario 2' is slowly elucidated. In all, quite a number of pages are
>> carefully devoted to elucidating this scenario. It is stated as a fact
>> several times.
>>> Where do you find a story that supports 'scenario 1'?
>>>
>>> Well, you have already answered that question- in the second novella of the trilogy, named: "A Story" by John V. Marsch, that being the only place Shadow Children are referenced.
>>>
>>> [--]
>>> We are given the story of Shadow Children as degenerate humans. But we are also given the story that they are native, shadowy telepathic creatures. Which is the lie and which is the truth?
>>>
>>> Even The Old Wise One says he can't remember anymore.

Where, *precisely*, are we given that story?  We are given the story of 
Shadow Children as degenerate humans repeatedly and specifically.  And 
if they are not humans, where are the humans gone?

The Shadow Children know of  starcrossers and other technology. They 
refer to Sandwalker's people as the native population.  They explain 
that the natives are shapechangers "like those we called werewolves in 
our old home".  In a hundred other ways, the story you have called 
'Scenario 2' is repeatedly told.

The confusion of the Old Wise One towards the end is clearly explained 
by the deaths of most of the Shadow Children.  "Now I am half a man" as 
he puts it, when there is only one left, meaning that he is half Shadow 
Child, half Sandwalker.

You asserted "Stories are told which support each scenario to the point 
of cancelling each other out."  Please be specific.  You have presented 
no story telling 'scenario 1', just objections on the grounds of 
"handiness" etc.

> I think a similar scenario plays out on Green and Blue in Short Sun.
> Wolfe is not going to commit the Star Trek error of making human beings
>simultaneously, independently evolved on multiple planets across the
>galaxy. If there are human shaped beings found on an uncolonized alien
>planet, they have to be an imitative species copying us, such as Shadow >Children, Abos and Inhumi.

But the planet WAS colonised by the human ancestors of the Shadow Children.   In their case Veil's Hypothesis is substantially true, but they have not yet completely died out.  Your hypothesis requires two imitative alien species, the death of all humans, and one of the species thinking it is human even to the extent of having memories of Earth (how?). And it ignores the fact that an alternative story that explains all this is stated quite clearly in the text.

- Gerry Quinn