Marconi's Paradox

[stickmaker]

I mentioned here, before, an SF novel I'm working on. It's set about 300 years in the future, about 200 after we officially contact other intelligent species. In one part of the story I address the question of why we haven't been contacted already.

Imagine you're living in a retirement community. Everyone has a comfortable home, they know their place among their neighbors and they know the routines, and any changes occur on a regular schedule.

Then a daycare center opens next door. With screaming and running kids and a PA playing Barney music.

The older starfaring societies don't like young cultures. They're brash and annoying, asking pointless questions about things everyone should already know, and repeatedly trying to do things which the elders have already told them are impossible. The worst part is, they occasionally succeed. :-)



Stickmaker

Comments

Not a daycare, but..

[(Anonymous)]

Not a daycare,but the neighbor with the bass-boost stereo in a 1974 Cadillac with all the hydraulics,a Harley,paints the house in neon colors, parties a lot throwing beer cans everywhere,and the ocassional drunken brawl..Scott