[net.sf-lovers] The Library - Possible Future History

burton@inuxg.UUCP (Thomas Burton) (12/02/83)

With all the discussion going about the Library in *Startide Rising*,
it seems that some people have missed a few references in the book.
Specifically:

	- The humans and fen were on a survey mission to update
	  Library information. My impression is that the Galactics
	  regularly sent out such missions to TRY to keep the
	  Library up-to-date, but it is a somewhat impossible
	  job.
	
	- Someone mentioned the enormity of the task of "learning
	  the Library". True, but there were several references to
	  Galactics having spent large amounts of time digging up
	  obscure references from the Library; in particular, the
	  Brothers of the Night and their secret weapon (which
	  was nullified by one of the other Patron races because
	  one of their Clients was in the Library assisting with
	  the research)(sorry about the vagueries, I'm at work
	  and my copy of the book is at home).
	
I think Brin did a good job of presenting some of the difficulties
of using such a Library.


			Doug Burton
			ATT-CP Indianapolis
			inuxg!burton

LS.SRB%EE@sri-unix.UUCP (12/14/83)

From:  "Stephen R. Balzac" <LS.SRB@EE>

	Given all the conversation about Brin's Library, I would
recommend that anyone with a sense of humor try to find Asimov's book,
"Laughing Space".  It contains a story (sorry, I don't remember the
title) about a Library very similiar to Brin's, and what became of it...