2001: A Space Odyssey – Arthur C. Clarke
**spoiler alert** The ancient alien culture, a thrilling rebellious AI and a psychedelic experience through senses and time space – Clarke made it an organic whole, by simply making sure that the story goes on without an abrupt ending. The voyage of the Discovery is about persistence and determination, punctuated by the disturbances of AI and deprivation of all the familiar things from the civilization, and companions. Clarke managed to put up the scenarios of into the universe, with planets and satellites can leave you in awe simply by describing the physical scales and light/shadow effects. The Stargate part is rather abstract but interesting to ponder on the logic behind.
It’s hard to imagine this was developed into a series by the author (and even three or four more). As to follow up on the plot would require either a total reset on the timeline or a completely different way of story-telling. It seems that the trick to develop a story like this is to focus on the sudden abnormality posed on the humankind and then reveal the background of it. It inspired the stories coming along the years, each tailored by their very specific Zeitgeist – what we fear the most but still seek to understand.
27.01.2024
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