| ||
Random quote: "Science is not only compatible with spirituality; it is a profound source of spirituality." - Carl Sagan - (Added by: Administrator) |
The Uplift War - A Question Moderators: Admin Jump to page : 1 Now viewing page 1 [25 messages per page] | View previous thread :: View next thread |
General Discussion -> SF/F/H Chat | Message format |
jfrantz |
| ||
Member Posts: 41 Location: Florida | An explanation first. As I'm reading through the Hugos at something of a fast pace, I haven't always made sure to read every book in a series in cases like the Uplift Trilogy when the first novels in the series didn't win. I know it's stupid and I hate it, but it happened. So after reading Startide Rising and The Uplift War, I think I either missed something or it was explained in the first book: Why do some of the other Galatics call humans "wolflings"? I never noticed the explanation and I thought it might have come up in Sundiver. Also, am I the only one who sees some comparisons to the Halo universe in this series? I have to believe the Bungie team were Brin fans. The Gubru, weapons like "needlers" are just too similar to some parts of the Halo movies or books. Can you answer my stupid question? | ||
Administrator |
| ||
Admin Posts: 3993 Location: Dallas, Texas | For the Uplift Saga it's not really necessary to read them in order since it's not a continuous story. I read them out of order too. The Galactics call humans "wolflings" because we alone in the universe managed to evolve on our own without a patron species to uplift us. Or at least that is the human claim. Many of the Galactics hold that we were uplifted by a patron race that abandoned us or died out. Whatever the reason they didn't finish the job. It's the source of much of the animosity towards humans. Claiming we did it on our own is like saying we're the equals of the Progenitors, the mythical ancient race that started the whole process a billion years ago, and puts us above many of the oldest and most prestigious races. I'm not into Halo so I can't speak on any similarities there. Anybody else know both universes? | ||
jfrantz |
| ||
Member Posts: 41 Location: Florida | Hmm... I caught all that but I guess I didn't understand why that meant we were "wolflings". Why am I not getting it? | ||
Administrator |
| ||
Admin Posts: 3993 Location: Dallas, Texas | Wolves are cunning, independent and above all dangerous animals that act on instinct? "Ling" because we're a young species. I suspect "wolfling" is an approximation for some galactic word that defies direct translation. Anybody else? | ||
jfrantz |
| ||
Member Posts: 41 Location: Florida | I can buy that. It's the kind thing I assumed, but I guess I was worried I might have missed an obvious, explicit explanation from the galatics. The only thing that throws me is that the term was quite often used derogatorily, and I'm not sure how often the anti-human galatics would like to admit that humans are intelligent or dangerous. Maybe it's just a dumb question. Probably splitting hairs or something at best. | ||
Allie |
| ||
Uber User Posts: 37 | I assumed it was referring to the fact that humans were uncivilized and dangerous, in terms of galactic civilization. Most sentient species would be more like dogs-- their species and culture are carefully raised by patron races to be exactly what their patrons want. Humans, lacking any of this guidance, are completely 'undomesticated', like wolves. I also think that the term 'wolfling' is probably a rough translation for a galactic word, as Dave said, since I would assume all the other planets don't have wolves, and galactic languages wouldn't be so metaphoric even if they did. | ||
jfrantz |
| ||
Member Posts: 41 Location: Florida | Thanks, I think I'm okay with the untranslatable galactic word. Mostly, I'm glad I didn't miss some explicit explanation. Dave - So when you do an interview of Brin (because you were planning that right?), I vote for this question (not really, but I should go check the videos section for him). | ||
justifiedsinner |
| ||
Uber User Posts: 794 | I believe it's because humans have no sponsor race and are the only space faring race not to have one. | ||
Jump to page : 1 Now viewing page 1 [25 messages per page] |
Search this forum Printer friendly version E-mail a link to this thread |
Books
BOOK AWARDS
Hugo Award
Nebula Award
BSFA Award
Mythopoeic Award
Locus SF Award
Locus Fantasy Award
Locus FN Award
Locus YA Award
Locus Horror Award
August Derleth Award
Robert Holdstock Award
Campbell Award
World Fantasy Award
Prometheus Award
Aurora Award
PKD Award
Clarke Award
Stoker Award
Otherwise Award
Aurealis SF Award
Aurealis Fantasy Award
Aurealis Horror Award
Andre Norton Award
Shirley Jackson Award
Red Tentacle Award
Golden Tentacle Award
Legend Award
Morningstar Award
Nommo Award
BOOK LISTS
Classics of SF
SF Mistressworks
Guardian: The Best SF/F
NPR: Top 100 SF/F
Pringle Best 100 SF
Pringle Modern Fantasy
SF: 101 Best 1985-2010
Fantasy 100
ISFDB Top 100
Horror 100
Nightmare Magazine 100
HWA Reading List
Locus Best SF
200 Significant SF Books by Women
David Brin's YA List
Baen Military SF List
Defining SF Books:
50s | 60s | 70s | 80s | 90s
SF by Women Writers
A Crash Course in the History of Black Science Fiction
Authors
Top Authors
All Authors
All Women Authors
Author Videos
AUTHOR AWARDS
Damon Knight Memorial
World Horror Convention
WFA Life Achievement
Cordwainer Smith Rediscovery
AUTHOR LISTS
Starmont Reader's Guide
Publishers
Top Publishers
All Publishers
PUBLISHER LISTS
Ace Doubles Series:
D | F | G | H | M | #
Conversation Pieces
Classic Library of SF
Critical Explorations in SF&F
EP Masterpieces of SF
Fantasy Masterworks
SF Masterworks
Laser Books
Liverpool SF Texts and Studies
Author's Choice Monthly
Pulphouse Short Stories
Winston SF
Resources
Podcasts
BookTubers
Magazines
Conventions
eBooks
Bookstores
SF/F/H Sub-Genres
Websites
Clubs & Groups
WWEnd Member Sites
WWEnd
BookTrackr™
The Responsible Parties
WWEnd Patrons
Support WWEnd
Advertise on WWEnd
FAQ
Contact Us
My World
Sign Up now and enjoy the enhanced features only available to members.
Blog
2024 British Fantasy Awards Shortlists Announced
2023 Nommo Awards Winners
2024 World Fantasy Award Finalists
2024 Aurora Award Winner
2024 Hugo Award Winner
Forums
Home | © 2024 Tres Barbas, LLC. All rights reserved.
(Delete all cookies set by this site) | |