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mbrauner 's review for:
The Calculating Stars
by Mary Robinette Kowal
This is a great book, aside from the premise. I know. But think about it.
Within the context of the asteroid impact as described in the book, it makes no sense to focus the scientific community's efforts on establishing colonies on the moon or Mars. Regardless of Earth's future trajectory, it would be easier to build domes or underground communities on-planet. Earth has all the materials and resources at hand, not to mention people power and a BREATHABLE atmosphere. No matter how weather patterns, temperatures and sea levels are impacted, building the same structures and establishing a food supply is always going to be achievable on Earth. The same can't be said for the moon or Mars. Kowal makes an off-handed reference to how few people will be saved by the missions in one of the later books, but maintains the colonies are the only way to ensure humanity survives.
That. Makes. No. Sense. It's frustrating because I think science fiction shapes our attitudes... and what are the billionaires of our time obsessed with? Launching private rockets into space and planning to build themselves apocalypse bunkers on the moon or Mars.
We've written ourselves into a situation where we've given up on Earth at the expense of common sense and reality.
Other than that gaping logic hole, the novels are meticulously researched, the characters are compelling, and the story well-paced.
Within the context of the asteroid impact as described in the book, it makes no sense to focus the scientific community's efforts on establishing colonies on the moon or Mars. Regardless of Earth's future trajectory, it would be easier to build domes or underground communities on-planet. Earth has all the materials and resources at hand, not to mention people power and a BREATHABLE atmosphere. No matter how weather patterns, temperatures and sea levels are impacted, building the same structures and establishing a food supply is always going to be achievable on Earth. The same can't be said for the moon or Mars. Kowal makes an off-handed reference to how few people will be saved by the missions in one of the later books, but maintains the colonies are the only way to ensure humanity survives.
That. Makes. No. Sense. It's frustrating because I think science fiction shapes our attitudes... and what are the billionaires of our time obsessed with? Launching private rockets into space and planning to build themselves apocalypse bunkers on the moon or Mars.
We've written ourselves into a situation where we've given up on Earth at the expense of common sense and reality.
Other than that gaping logic hole, the novels are meticulously researched, the characters are compelling, and the story well-paced.