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A review by wasted
The Naked Sun by Isaac Asimov
3.0
Asimov is my favorite Science Fiction author and this story has been on my shelf for a few years - in the day and age of COVID-19, it was finally time to read about an advanced human civilization that purposefully isolates themselves from all human contact within a sea of robotic servants.
This quote from a secluded Solarian captures the mindset well:
"You conjured up the most striking picture of us breathing - breathing one another's breath." The Solarian shuddered. "Don't you find that repulsive? I realized that after all we were in the same room and even though I was not facing you, puffs of air that had been in your lungs must be reaching me and entering mine."
Humans are indeed repulsive and this novel makes avoiding physical interaction relatable and, in certain satisfying ways, socially acceptable.
Unfortunately, I believe Asimov missed a few opportunities to expand on how the Solarian psychology evolved after centuries steeped in this culture. Aside from the unique isolationist environment, two concepts left me wondering:
1.) What happened to the Solarian's human libido? Sex is of course abhorred in this hermit culture but why is that? The Solarians don't consider their peers ugly or unattractive when viewed by video so something in their human brain must have been "turned off."
2.) Why do Solarians hold the arts in such high regard? Art quality is relative and Asimov doesn't expand on this individualistic pursuit. Solarians pridefully video-sharing each other's art is a contradiction that is never explained.
Overall, this cynically unique story is fun to relate to but leaves the reader hungry. A worthwhile read for Asmiov fans despite its near monolithic representation of the modern COVID-19 culture.
This quote from a secluded Solarian captures the mindset well:
"You conjured up the most striking picture of us breathing - breathing one another's breath." The Solarian shuddered. "Don't you find that repulsive? I realized that after all we were in the same room and even though I was not facing you, puffs of air that had been in your lungs must be reaching me and entering mine."
Humans are indeed repulsive and this novel makes avoiding physical interaction relatable and, in certain satisfying ways, socially acceptable.
Unfortunately, I believe Asimov missed a few opportunities to expand on how the Solarian psychology evolved after centuries steeped in this culture. Aside from the unique isolationist environment, two concepts left me wondering:
1.) What happened to the Solarian's human libido? Sex is of course abhorred in this hermit culture but why is that? The Solarians don't consider their peers ugly or unattractive when viewed by video so something in their human brain must have been "turned off."
2.) Why do Solarians hold the arts in such high regard? Art quality is relative and Asimov doesn't expand on this individualistic pursuit. Solarians pridefully video-sharing each other's art is a contradiction that is never explained.
Overall, this cynically unique story is fun to relate to but leaves the reader hungry. A worthwhile read for Asmiov fans despite its near monolithic representation of the modern COVID-19 culture.