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As for the earlier data I am of course familiar with it. It is not surprising that one of the communities has managed to cling to their ancestral ways and, in their unstressed river‑plain environment, lack the impetus to change. It is inconceivable that their ways would survive except for the circumstance of their origin which flung them into close community: they were, be it remembered, a settlement of refugees. They are not coping well. Their cultivated areas are small. They do not hunt widely, if at all. They are predominantly fishers, which is an occupation, at least as practiced on Gehe
The critical difference is the necessity of physical strength in the hunter culture of the Styx, a difference which should be self‑evident given the biological realities of the human species.
Memo, E. McGee to Committee
Copy transmitted to R. Genley
It is a difficult task to extricate the observer from the observation. I do not believe we are out here at considerable expense to seek to reaffirm theories dearly held by our various disciplines, but to faithfully record what exists, and secondly to challenge, where appropriate, theories which become questionable in the light of observed fact.
It is possible that the entanglement of the observer with the observation throughout history, along with the sorrowful fact that in general only the wi
Fact: two ways of life exist on Gehe
Fact: more than one way of life has existed in humanity’s cradles of civilization.
I propose that, instead of arguing old theories which have considerable cultural content, we consider this possibility: that humanity develops a multiplicity of answers to the environment, and that if there must be a system of polarities to explain the structure around which these answers are organized, that the polarity does not in and of itself involve gender, but the relative success of the population in curbing those individuals with the tendency to coerce their neighbors. Some cultures solve this problem. Some do not, and fall into a pattern which exalts this tendency and elevates it, again by the principle that survivors and rulers write the histories, to the guiding virtue of the culture. It is not that the Cloud River culture is u
Message from the field: R. Genley
I again urge Dr. McGee to present her theories formally when she can reestablish sufficient contact with the culture she is describing to secure corroborative and specific observations.
xxii
190 CR
Unedited text of message
Dr. E. McGee to Alliance HQ
couriered by AS Pegasus
[Considering the personal difficulty of continuing in this position–]
[Considering the contribution which I feel I might make elsewhere and the personal disappointment]–
[Considering the–]
[Considering the unfortunate circumstances which have incurred, I suspect, some personal animosity on the part of the Cloud‑siders–]
Considering the difficulty of life on Gehe
xxiii
191 CR, day 202
Message, Alliance HQ
to Dr. E. McGee, Gehe
…with thorough sympathy for your medical difficulties, the Bureau still considers your presence in the project to be of overriding value, in view of the expense and difficulty of perso
…We have analysed the facilities available at Gehe
191 CR, day 205
Prescription, Base pharmacy
for Dr. E. McGee
…for insomnia, take one capsule at bedtime. ALCOHOL CONTRAINDICATED.
xxiv
200 CR, day 33
Field report: E. McGee
…rumor which I have picked up from the usual New Tower source indicates that the heir, Elai, has given birth to a second son. Due to the tenuous nature of my contact with these sources and the need for caution I ca
xxv
200 CR, day 98
Styxside
“Genley,” Jin said, in the warmth of Parm Tower, in the closeness that smelled of brew and Calibans and smoke and men. A hand came out and rocked his shoulder, pressed with strong fingers. “You write about me. What do you write?”
“Things.”
“Like what, Genley?”
“The way you live, the things you do. Like your records. Like the things you write down.”
“You make the starmen know me.”
“They know you.”
Jin clapped his shoulder. They were mostly alone. There was only Parm and his lot drowsing in the corner. The hand fell from his arm. “That Ma
Genley did, without flinching. Jin buffeted his arm and laughed when he had done it.
“You are my father,” Jin said.
Ma
“My father,” Jin said, still holding his arm. “Who asks me questions, questions, questions what I do. I learn from your questions, Gen‑ley. So I call you my father. Why doesn’t my father ask me gifts?”
“What should I ask for?”
“A man should have women. You want the women, Gen‑ley, you go down…anytime you like. Not hunter women: trouble, hunter women. But all the others. Anytime you like. You like that?”
200 CR, day 120
Field report: R. Genley
…The lord Jin has made considerable progress toward further stabilizing the government. The reports of dissent in the TransStyx have died down following a personal visit of one of his aides to that side and indications are that the chief of the opposition is now supporting his authority.
Memo, E. McGee to Base Director
Copy to R. Genley in field
The lordJin?…
xxvi
200 CR, day 203
Field report: R. Genley
…In all, Jin 12’s new programs are succeeding. Agriculture is up another 5 percent this year, for a total of 112% increase since his accession. Roadbuilding, a totally new development, has made possible the delivery of limestone to the hitherside tower, another of Jin’s ideas, gathered from observation, I surmise, of our own constructions inside the wire. The mission has continually observed the zero trade restriction and most carefully has withheld information, but it could be the mere presence of the Base is a goad to the energetic Styxside culture, accelerating their dissatisfaction with conditions as they are. Looking as they do through the wire at a permanent city, observing woven clothing and a wealth of metal, they are discontent with what they have. The lord Jin is particularly anxious for metal, but sees no present possibility of obtaining it. The choice which placed the colony in a fertile deep plain has ironically made that particular advancement difficult until explorations reach the mountainous southeast. The road to the quarries is part of a push in this direction, making possible, if not wheeled transport, the rapid transit of mounted traffic.