Comments for The Puppy Blender makes a cogent observation.

The Puppy Blender makes a cogent observation.

2004-08-06T15:52:51Z

...Westerners tend to forget it, but it was a few key technologies -- primarily steam navigation and repeating firearms -- that made the era of Western colonialism possible. (See Daniel Headrick's The Tools of Empire for more on this).
It is, no doubt, as hard for American and European mandarins to imagine being conquered by Chinese troops equipped with superior weaponry as it was for Chinese Mandarins to imagine the reverse, two hundred years ago. Will our mandarins be smart enough to learn from that experience? That's the question, isn't it?

In short - yes, Glenn, it is. Anyone remember Heinlein's Revolt in 2100?

Read the whole thing at TCS.

Comment from John of Argghhh! on 2005-01-23

2005-01-23T16:17:30Z

Well, you'd certainly find out who among your friends and associates are serious geeks...

Comment from triticale on 2005-01-23

2005-01-23T15:46:31Z

Security camera I saw merely scanned the iris. It could probably be fooled by a contact lens. Here'ssomeone else who remembers Revolt in 2100.

Comment from Justthisguy on 2004-08-08

2004-08-08T06:49:52Z

Yup, I remember that part of the book, too. I always thought the protag's escape at that point was rather contrived and cheesy. Of, course, these days, they wouldn't have to wait to take you downtown to photograph yer retinas. Ain't it amazing that none of the SF writers of the 50s predicted ubiquitous cheap computer-aided gizmos? Thinking again, though: Weird amazing un-up-makable things do happen from time to time. It helps to stay light on your feet, and grab opportunities which spontaneously arise.

Comment from triticale on 2004-08-06

2004-08-07T04:43:50Z

2100? That was a long time ago - like 38 minutes ago. I never did get around to printing up Nehemiah Scudder for President bumper stickers. Seriously, I saw a device recently which I first read of in that book, a security identity validator which does an eye scan.