LSCHWEITZ%Berkeley@4ccvax.UUCP (01/29/84)
In reading the latest few issues of F&SF, I noticed two examples of
female-dominant cultures:
1) Book of The River by Ian Watson
This one was serialized in 4 parts in the November-February issues.
It deals with a human culture spread along the banks of a large river.
The river is divided by a "black current" with strange properties.
Only women can sail on the river. Men are only allowed to pass upon
it once. Since the culture depends so highly on the use of the river,
women are dominant in both governing and social mores (i.e. women sailors
cruise the bars for one-night stands). It's a good serial with nice
characterizations and an interesting world.
2) Five Mercies by Mike Conner
This is a novella in the latest (march) issue. It takes place in
a (mostly) human culture ruled by a hereditary matriarchy.
As for 42 vs. 47, the Claremont Colleges have had this debate for quite
some time. Harvey Mudd, the northernmost college, sides with Adams,
whereas Pomona, the southernmost, believes in 47. They cite as documentation
the (a) 47 steps to a certain staircase on their campus, (b) a mysterious
benchmark-like object with "47" on it and (c) the fact that Indian Hill
Boulevard (the exit to Claremont off I 10) is exit 47. My belief is that
such trivia cannot compete with THE answer but you 47ists have 5000 misguided
underclassmen on your side.
LSCHWEITZ