Beyond This Horizon (1942)

Robert A. Heinlein

ROC, New York; ISBN: 0-451-16676-0; Pages: 298

Far, far, in the distant future lies an utopian Earth. The perennial problems of human existence have been solved. Politically, the planet is governed by a Planning Committee of sorts, which takes care of economic management, scientific research, etc. and even manages to set up inquires into the metaphysical and epistemological questions of philosophy (through traditional scientific methods nonetheless). The economy appears to be planned as well, with some cock-a-doodle-doo BS about pumping in new money to compensate for increased productivity. The end result of this mind-boggling mathematical feat (these people sure have more than Pentiums) is a booming economy where the planners are preoccupied with inventing ways to spend money on non-productive but socially beneficial projects, such as calculating the ballistics for all stars and planets in our universe for starters.

Humanity practices gene selection, or, in other words, has a special breeding program where parents are encouraged to recombine their characteristics in such a way as to produce the best possible child. All this done through entirely democratic means of course. Any ideas of creating the übermench have been killed off in the Second Genetic War with the Asians. In a completely satiated society, the sybarites need their own share of entertainment according to the ancient Roman formula. There are really two classes: the gun-carrying braves and the brassard-wearing second-rate citizens. Basically, if you pack a gun, others better be polite to you and you to others with guns, unless you want to test your drawing skills. Never mind burning innocent onlookers. There's little surprise in football catching on in this violence-depraved society. When killing becomes institutionalized it ceases to be an outlet for the destructive energies of humans.

There's one man, Hamilton, who is not satisfied with this existence and questions the need for the human race to survive. That is how the story begins. It goes on to trace his change from a staunch bachelor, to marriage, to having children. There are some minor and quite useless distractions along the way, such as the poorly planned and ill-fated revolution mounted by some half-wits with dreams of grandeur and a scientifically planned futuristic nightmare. Then there's the odd transformation of Monroe-Alpha and his marriage to an experimental stock of a woman after unsuccessfully trying to kill her. Then there's the unrelated story of the Man from 1926, put in stasis (some device that purportedly eliminates entropy) and awaken just recently in order to start his own business. Then there's also the trifle matter of telepathy, as well as repressed memories from previous life that disappear shortly after birth (yes, that was the answer to Hamilton's question about the meaning of life... it never ends). Intriguing but underexplored.

Brimming with interesting ideas about technological improvements (read the description of getting up in the morning or the mode of transportation or even the beds), BTH is nevertheless a sub-standard RAH work. The problem is the obvious inability of the author to combine several short stories into a coherent novel. The minor plots begin and end without much contribution to the main one, and without bringing out additional detail to the narrative. The long descriptions of the biology of natural (and unnatural) selection are tedious, and the ones pertaining to the functioning of the economic and political systems --- quite unsatisfactory. Seeing that most of these are just background, it is not a major complaint (but in that case, did we really need an entire chapter on biology?) The biggest disappointment has to be the protagonist, who starts out without much justification for being who he is and ends up transformed with even less justification. Although mostly quick-paced like his other work, this novel displays RAH's curious detachment from the world of his creation. There's much ambivalence as to what constitutes the proper balance between natural selection, man's struggle for survival in a hostile environment, and the boon of technology. Lauding the simple life of rugged individuals in the late 19th century, RAH follows up with hostility toward such nauseatingly romantic notions of the bucolic life. Similar contradictions abound in other places and make an interesting but inconclusive reading.

Definitely needs to be postponed until all of the better works have been read.

March 19, 2000. BLS