The End of Eternity

Colonial studies have been part of the curriculum for over two decades at literature faculties on universities across the globe. I wonder how many professors and scholars realize lots of science fiction can also be considered as literature that deals with colonialism. There's the obvious Prime Directive in mainstream culture's Star Trek. There's a variant of that in Banks' Culture novels: how and when to intervene in other--technologically less developed--cultures? There's Ursula Le Guin. China Miéville explored the theme a bit in Embassytown. And so forth... The fact that lots of SF deals with encountering and engaging with other, alien cultures makes it a perfect genre to explore real world colonial issues.

The End Of Eternity fits into this way of looking at SF as well. It is one of Asimov's stand-alone novels, and is considered among his best by many. The protagonist is Andrew Harland, one of the few who live in Eternity, a location outside place and time, where "Eternals" enact "Reality Changes", small, calculated shifts in the course of history made for the benefit of humankind. Though each Change is made for the greater good, there are also always costs.

For those who have read it, 1971's The Lathe Of Heaven of Le Guin instantly springs to mind. I have written extensively about my view on utilitarianism--an important theme in both books--in Lathe's review, so I will not repeat those here. Le Guin is more overtly critical on the matter than Asimov, who doesn't necessarily fault utilitarianism, but instead faults placid, safe, stale thinking, and pleads for ambition, difference, diversity and risk.

"Whom do you mean by 'we'? Man would not be a world, but a million worlds, a billion worlds. We would have the infinite in our grasp. Each would have its own stretch of the Centuries, each its own values, a chance to seek happiness after ways of its own in an environment of its own. there are many happinesses, many goods, infinite variety... That is the Basic State of mankind."

(...)

Please read the full review on Weighing A Pig...