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M. N. Xenian's avatar

what an intriguing story. I thought it's referencing xenophobia at first, but then after all it's about something more personal. an anti-utopian society/world tainted with sexism. this really reflective of current global status quo. that's the beauty of science fiction as a genre. it can be a medium for commentary and speculation about anything, especially social issues. either there will be a next instalment of Contract Marriage or other works you want to share, i'll appreciate it both equally.

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Von's avatar

Have you read it from the first scene?

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M. N. Xenian's avatar

no i haven't. did i missed the link lol

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Von's avatar

Well, you should have a lot to read, then ;)

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M. N. Xenian's avatar

sCrEMiNg, CrYiNg, tHRoWinG uP

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JasonT's avatar

I'm taking it as a sci fi rewrite of Plato's Republic. Not a recipe for a new form of society but an expose of that form taken to it's logical conclusion. Been a fun read.

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Von's avatar

Fascinating take.

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JasonT's avatar

Does that mean I'm way off?

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Von's avatar

Well, in one sense yes. In another, maybe not.

I tend to write these ‘dystopias’ as Overton Window breakers. What if the dictatorship was necessary? What if marriage was a contract, not some mushy divorce ridden… What if people had children. What if the man was the head of the home. What if soldiers were all men, but women still had a lot of jobs in the army??

That kind of thing. You probably saw all that, and put on a frame that I hadn’t imagined :)

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JasonT's avatar

The cool thing about fiction, you can play with ideas without breaking things.

If there is no God, all things are permissible and you can write without boundaries. But in the real world we are wired a certain way and breaking the rules will eventually lead to consequences; even in fiction.

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JasonT's avatar

I should add that my take on Plato's Republic is recent and indebted to a podcast I heard recently. The Republic suddenly made sense where it had once seemed absurd.

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