I recently attended Cosine science fiction convention in Colorado. The
always gracious Connie Willis was Guest of Honor. One of the things
she spoke about was how Robert Heinlein changed everything.

My college training in English left me thinking it was Hemingway who
changed everything. So let’s look at the dates. Hemingway’s first
book came out in 1923. He stopped writing in 1961, although his
estate put out a number of books posthumously. Heinlein’s first
stories appeared in 1939, and his first book publication wasn’t until
1947. He stopped writing with To Sail Beyond the Sunset in 1987.

And let’s look at the memes. Can you recall a line from Hemingway
that still resonates? (Nope, he was quoting ‘For whom the bell
tolls’.) How about these: Specialization is for insects. An armed
society is a polite society. Love is that condition in which the
happiness of another is essential to your own. All Heinlein.

Do you use a waterbed or a Roomba? Recognize the words ‘waldo’ and
‘grok’? All Heinlein.

It was of Heinlein that Tom Clancy wrote: “We proceed down the path
marked by his ideas. He shows us where the future is.”

They both wrote clean, elegant prose that contrasts strongly with the
style that proceeded them. (Think Lovecraft.) They both moved the
emphasis from interpretation to action. But Heinlein believed in
progress and space, and Hemingway ultimately despaired.

I argue with Heinlein sometimes. I also know that my thinking about
the future reflects his words at many levels.

I’m glad to be living in the world he wrote.
Book recommendation

The Moon is a Harsh Mistress by Robert A. Heinlein

It’s worth revisiting this tale of Lunar colonies suffering under a
harsh government. Memorable characters, clean prose, and the dramatic
intersection of physics and politics make a compelling read.

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Anna Paradox is a life coach who speaks science fiction. Imagine life
is a game in which you choose your own winning conditions. The most
successful players use a coach. To find out more, or to schedule a
sample session, write to me at anna@annaparadox.com, or call
505-522-5358.

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