I did spend a lot of the book speculating on what the planet was trying to do with those supressed - Edit 1
Before modification by Tashmere at 25/04/2010 11:05:45 PM
memories. I had not formed any solid theories by the end.
When Lem made his point at the end that there was no real way to know what the planet's purpose was, he did it well enough that most of my mind gave up trying to figure out what it's motives were. (Of course there is that stubborn A.R. part of my mind that can't let things go until they are finished and neatly pigeonholed.)
He also made the point well enough that I reflected on my personal relationships with other people. I can only guess what their motives are. What if their motives are way different than what I am assuming they are? What if so-and-so acts the way she does just because...well...that is how she is wired? Why not just accept that is the way she is and work around it and enjoy her good points? What if I didn't judge others not only on a logical level but on a heart level? I usually keep my opinions and negative judgements to myself. Can't I go farther and let go of the compulsion to make those negative judgements in the first place?
Instant change isn't going to happen. Progress will be glacial. But maybe a good seed has been planted.
When Lem made his point at the end that there was no real way to know what the planet's purpose was, he did it well enough that most of my mind gave up trying to figure out what it's motives were. (Of course there is that stubborn A.R. part of my mind that can't let things go until they are finished and neatly pigeonholed.)
He also made the point well enough that I reflected on my personal relationships with other people. I can only guess what their motives are. What if their motives are way different than what I am assuming they are? What if so-and-so acts the way she does just because...well...that is how she is wired? Why not just accept that is the way she is and work around it and enjoy her good points? What if I didn't judge others not only on a logical level but on a heart level? I usually keep my opinions and negative judgements to myself. Can't I go farther and let go of the compulsion to make those negative judgements in the first place?
Instant change isn't going to happen. Progress will be glacial. But maybe a good seed has been planted.