Nine Tomorrows
The book, "Nine Tomorrows", is a collection of stories penned by the celebrated writer Isaac Asimov. The very title suggests glimpses into futures not too far removed from our present, futures where humanity grapples with the ever-evolving tapestry of science and its impact on our lives. Asimov, a master of weaving scientific concepts with the intricacies of human nature, promises tales that are both thought-provoking and deeply human.
One of these tales is titled "Profession". Even before delving into the specifics of the narrative, the word "profession" itself brings to mind ideas of work, skills, and the roles individuals play within a society. Knowing Asimov's penchant for exploring the societal structures of tomorrow, one might anticipate a story that examines how future advancements might shape the very notion of a career and an individual's place in the grand scheme of things.
The story appears to open with a character named George Platen, whose voice betrays a strong sense of anticipation for something significant happening on the first of May – the Olympics. This immediately suggests a society that still values competition and achievement, though the nature of these Olympics remains, for now, a mystery. The mention of ships arriving for recruits who will leave Earth in vast numbers for various worlds hints at a future where humanity has ventured beyond its home planet, a recurring motif in Asimov's extensive works. This outward expansion often brings with it new challenges and opportunities, and the story may well explore how an individual's "profession" fits into this interstellar landscape.
There is a sense of unease and perhaps a feeling of being left behind expressed by George. His interaction with another character, Hah Omani, reveals a difference in perspective regarding the significance of these events. Omani's apparent disinterest, focused instead on reading, perhaps points to a future where information and knowledge play a central role, even if their immediate practical application is not always evident. This could be a setup for exploring contrasting views on education and the acquisition of skills in this future society.
We also encounter a "Reading Day" for children, a pivotal moment where their future paths seem to be determined. George's anxiety about this day and his anticipation of reading for his parents suggest a society where the ability to read, or perhaps the demonstration of learned knowledge, holds significant weight. The conversation between young George and Trevelyan highlights the social implications of one's perceived intellectual capabilities and future prospects, hinting at a potentially stratified society based on these assessments.
The narrative then shifts to an encounter with a doctor who questions George about his desire to read. The doctor's explanation emphasizes the pervasiveness of printed information in their lives, painting a picture of a world saturated with knowledge and the critical importance of being able to access it. This sets the stage for a deeper exploration of how individuals acquire skills and knowledge in this future, a theme often central to Asimov's visions of advanced civilizations.
George's ambition to become a Programmer and his efforts to study for this profession by reading books suggest a world where certain technical skills are highly valued. However, the astonishment of Dr. Antonelli upon learning that George is reading about Programming indicates that the traditional methods of acquiring such specialized knowledge might have changed significantly. This could be a pivotal point in the story, exploring the tension between conventional learning and new, perhaps more direct, methods of education.
The narrative hints at a system of "Education Day" and classifications that determine an individual's profession and their potential to move to different worlds. George's experience suggests that this system is not infallible and might lead to feelings of injustice and misclassification. The existence of places like the one George finds himself in, described as not a prison but a place with no way out, implies a segment of society deemed unsuitable for mainstream professions.
The story could be building towards an exploration of the limitations and potential flaws of such a highly structured educational and professional system. Asimov often questioned the balance between technological advancement and individual freedom and potential. "Profession" might delve into the consequences of a society that rigidly defines its members' roles based on early assessments, potentially stifling creativity and individual aspirations.
Furthermore, the interaction with Ingenescu, the Historian and Social Scientist, introduces the importance of understanding societies and human nature, contrasting with the emphasis on physical sciences. This could be a subtle commentary on the value of different fields of knowledge and the potential pitfalls of focusing solely on the technical aspects of a future civilization.
The encounter with the Novian, an "Outworld official", and George's attempt to convince him of an alternative approach to education, one that involves learning from books rather than relying solely on "Educational tapes", further emphasizes the story's central theme. George's argument for cultivating "original thinkers" suggests a critique of a purely tape-based education system that might prioritize conformity over innovation.
The revelation that the place George is in is a "House for the Feeble-minded" serves as a twist, and the explanation that it is a test to identify individuals with the capacity for original thought adds a layer of complexity to the seemingly rigid societal structure. The story might be leading to an understanding of how this society identifies and nurtures true creative potential, even through methods that appear cruel or unconventional.
The ending of the excerpt suggests that George is indeed one of the "one in ten thousand exception". His experiences, including the encounter with Antonelli and Ingenescu, appear to have been orchestrated as part of this final test. The "Olympics" mentioned at the beginning might not be a sporting event but rather a metaphor for the selection process that determines who will contribute to the advancement of technology across the vast expanse of human-colonized worlds.
In typical Asimovian fashion, the story seems to be using a specific future scenario to explore timeless questions about education, the nature of intelligence, the value of individual thought, and the potential trade-offs in a technologically advanced society that seeks to optimize human capital. While the plot's intricacies remain hidden, the building blocks within these excerpts point towards a narrative that is both a compelling science fiction tale and a thoughtful commentary on the human condition in the face of progress. The journey George Platen undertakes is likely to be one of self-discovery and a challenge to the established norms of his world, a familiar and engaging theme for readers acquainted with Isaac Asimov's masterful storytelling.
