THIS Albert Bester???
Posted on 12/18/2013 3:42:04 PM PST by EveningStar
It would be easy to miss, but December 18 marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of Alfred Bester, one of the pioneers of modern science fiction. A Manhattan native, Bester began his career as a writer in earnest in the 1940s, publishing pulp science fiction, penning radio scripts, and doing work for DC Comics on Superman and Green Lantern titles. In the 1950s, however, he followed the trend of science fiction away from the short story magazine world to the realm of novels. It was in this decade that he wrote two of the genre’s most groundbreaking works, The Demolished Man (1953) and The Stars My Destination (1956). Around this time, he also collected his significant short fiction in two volumes, Starburst (1958) and The Dark Side of the Earth (1964). In the subsequent years, Bester spent much time as a writer and editor for the travel magazine Holiday. He eventually published more fiction, though little of it was as popular or critically well-regarded as his early novels. He passed away in 1987, three years after the death of Rolly, his wife of almost fifty years.
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ping
I read TSMD about 50 times when I was a teenager and early twenties.
There are lots of SF writers who write mind-bending, off-the-wall crazy otherworldly stories. The thing about Bester’s TSMD is that it’s as bizarre as the most bizarre, but it all hangs together. It makes sense as a story, it makes sense as a reading of the past and the future, both scientifically and sociologically.
At the time it was written, “psi” (mental energy, extra-scientific mental stuff) was being actively studied by the government and by various universities and research institutions.
The plot of TSMD revolves around two psi concepts: one, the idea of instantaneously teleporting from one location to another (with some limitations), called “Jaunteing.” The other is a nuclear explosive that reaches critical mass in the presence of “the will and the idea,” a particular set of thoughts in a person who can be far away from the explosive material.
One of the greats. I often think about, “The Men who murdered Mohammed.” He left his estate to his bartender. I admire that.
Gully Foyle is my name
And Terra is my nation.
Deep space is my dwelling place,
And the stars my destination.
Unforgettable.
Unforgettable.
Vorga, I kill you filthy.
When you read it, it seems like every single page contains something new and incredible.
Of course, it helps to be a teenager I suppose.
ping
Read Heinlein, Azimov, Bradbury, Clarke, and dozens of other sci fi writers pulp or otherwise. Never heard of this guy. Will have to check him out.
He’s really right up there with them IMO.
I’ll second that: Equal among equals. Quant suf!
THIS Albert Bester???
My bad. Not enough coffee yet.
Which is why Harlan Ellison had a co-starring role in several episodes (He was also a conceptual consultant) and Walter Koenig played a character named Alfred Bester.
Its been a long time since I watched this series. Could you remind me who Harlan Ellisons charachter was?
He played an unnamed Psi Cop who was sent by Psi Corp and had a brief conversation with Bester in the Episode, "The Face of The Enemy". As I recall, he discussed how to deal with Garibaldi after Sheridan was betrayed and captured.
In another episode, Ellison was also the voice of the station computer when, for a reason I don't recall, it had to be given a backup personality which turned out to be rather abrasive. (That subplot ended with Garibaldi finally driven over the edge by the computer's ranting, and shooting the speaker out of an elevator.)
Yup. Episode was “Ceremonies of Light and Dark”. He was Sparky the Computer.
As good as “The Stars My Destination” is, “The Demolished Man” is at least as good.
Thanks LL. I will check it out.
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