March Short Story Club

[qimissung]

Let's read another story in March. Any nominations?

[Blasarius '33]

I enjoyed the posts on February's story: Loneliness, so I'm in again. I'll nominate Micromegas (http://wondersmith.com/scifi/micro.htm), by Voltaire. It's one of the greatest short stories ever, and it's available online.

[Sulla]

I've never read Micromegas. Sounds like a great selection to me. I'd be in.

[KilgoreT]

I third that.

[qimissung]

Sounds like fun. So we can begin posting as soon as we read the story. That was easy.

[wallflower5]

Let's read it!

[qimissung]

I'll probably start reading it this weekend. Is that link to the entire story, Blasaruis? How clever! A science fiction story by Voltaire!

[Blasarius '33]

Is that link to the entire story, Blasaruis?
Looks like it, but I found a translation I like better HERE (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/30123/30123-h/30123-h.htm#chap01) (Micromegas starts a little way down the page). Plus, this link separates the story's seven chapters. Maybe try it out, if you're of a mind. I really like the Theo Cuffe translation Penguin uses, but I can't find it online.

(By the way, the story is about 17 pages in print.)



A science fiction story by Voltaire!
The first one ever, maybe!

[Blasarius '33]

I liked Candide and Micromegas so much when I read them I decided to see if I could push myself to learn French so I could read the originals. I gave it a go, but things got in the way and I haven't gone back to it. Anyway, here is the text in French (http://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/4649/pg4649.html) for anyone interested (and capable!). I'd love to hear someone's impression on how they think it translates... and on how much I'm missing!

[qimissung]

Thank you so much for that. I've got it printed now.

[qimissung]

I actually read this the second week of March. Sheesh. It was adorable! I'm sure Voltaire would cringe to hear that description. And it was laugh out loud funny in parts. I think my favorite part was this:

" 'Oh intelligent atoms...you must, no doubt, taste pure joys on your planet; for having so little matter, and appearing to be entirely spirit, you must live out your life thinking and loving, the veritable life of the mind. Nowhere have I seen true bliss, but it is here, without a doubt.' At this all the philosophers shook their heads, and one of them, more frank than the others, avowed that if one excepts a small number of inhabitants held in poor regard, all the rest are an assembly of mad, vicious, and wretched people."

And it is still topical today. In the same passage:

"Did you know, for example, that as I am speaking with you, there are 100.000 madmen of our species wearing hats, killing 100,000 other animals wearing turbans, or being massacred by them, and that we have used almost (the entire) surface of the earth for this purpose since time immemorial?"

Sadly, some things never change.

[OrphanPip]

The first one ever, maybe!

Bacon's New Atlantis and Cavendish's Blazing World both kind of beat him to it.

[KilgoreT]

Where the hell did March go?

Anyway, I enjoyed the story greatly. I admire the way Voltaire dismisses our importance, especially at a time when it might have been more prudent not to say those things. Equally impressive is the universal, timeless quality of much of what he writes- have we stopped fighting wars, or claiming to have figured out the big questions? Do we not feel like our lives our fleeting? Of course not. Reading the story fills one with an awe at what really might be out there. Beings so small or big that we cannot even detect their existence. And a wisdom that nobody has been able to attain. I like stories like this, that make you think.

[qimissung]

I know, right! March was here, and then gone.

a very good summation of the ideas behind the story. It is amazing how modern in a way it still sounds. I loved the description of the giants and the contortions they went through to communicate with the tiny beings they had discovered and their complete amazement that they could think and feel, just like themselves.

[Blasarius '33]

the giants and the contortions they went through to communicate with the tiny beings they had discovered and their complete amazement that they could think and feel, just like themselves.That part has one of the best quotes ever from a short story: This atom has actually measured me!

Something about the way Micromegas and the Saturnian move about, the lessons in humility and tolerance they learn and teach, makes me think that if there were such a category as "children's books for adults" Micromegas would be its flagship. Definitely on the mandatory reading list, anyway. It makes me wish this story was even better known today than it is. Especially wonderful is how the unfathomably erudite Micromegas (with his thousand senses!) is constantly and humbly searching for more and more knowledge. His insatiable curiosity and appreciation for others' curiosity make him quite the loveable character.

[KilgoreT]

That part has one of the best quotes ever from a short story: This atom has actually measured me!

Something about the way Micromegas and the Saturnian move about, the lessons in humility and tolerance they learn and teach, makes me think that if there were such a category as "children's books for adults" Micromegas would be its flagship. Definitely on the mandatory reading list, anyway. It makes me wish this story was even better known today than it is. Especially wonderful is how the unfathomably erudite Micromegas (with his thousand senses!) is constantly and humbly searching for more and more knowledge. His insatiable curiosity and appreciation for others' curiosity make him quite the loveable character.

Sorry, you're 34 minutes late. Unless, of course, you are in a time zone west of mine.

[Blasarius '33]

Which way are you facing?

[KilgoreT]

GMT-5. You know what, I'll just let it slide.

[Blasarius '33]

Whew!