I’ve no doubt that Ginny would make a very good Dorsai. Mind you, in the Gordon Dickson universe she’d probably be happier as an Exotic or a Newtonian. But I have no doubt that she would have made a good Dorsai all the same. ^_~
I enjoyed them, regretting that Dickson never wrote the historical-novel end of them, regretting that he never brought the matter to a proper conclusion…but certain elements were pretty hard to take seriously.
I had more in mind the notion of one planet developing and exporting mercenaries (and other jobs) exclusively, to the exclusion of any other trade. Ever read “The Didactics of Mystique,” by “Flash Richardson?”
Gordy actually covered that in one of his stories. In one of the later novels when the hero is getting ready to confront Bleys and the Others it turns out that Dorsai has also developed a pretty decent fishing industry as well with the money brought back from the mercenary trade and that the fishing industry was starting to challenge the mercenary trade for primacy. Which was why the hero had a harder time recruiting troops on Dorsai then he had expected.
That said, the development and export of mercenaries as a national industry is not unknown in History either. Most notably Switzerland which seemed to me to be what Dorsai was based off of just as Covenant was quite clearly meant to be pseudo-Scotland. Likewise Sparta in particular towards the end of it’s days of independence and the Greek city-states in general…
It’s the sort of thing you see when one region breeds good fighters and wealthier regions have a need for good fighters. Gordy exaggerated it a bit but keep in mind that he called the planets that did this *Splinter* Cultures for a reason and he was occasionally careful to indicate that even the most specialized of these groups did have other things going on. (To be continued)
The Labor Exchange contracts between planets, complete with conscription, on the other hand, was something that I had a harder time swallowing. But just because I don’t believe something likely or sensible doesn’t mean it won’t happen. To judge by the fact that it cropped up in places other then the Childe Cycle I suspect that Mr. Dickson believed in that one quite strongly and I suppose one could make a sort of case for it taking place in interplanetary affairs. I would think the people who set up such an arrangement to be idiots but people have done a lot of things I consider foolish and I suspect they will continue to do so in the future as well. @_@
Of course, Dr. Lee was too valuable to shoot, but upper management never told her: gotta keep your employees on their toes and prevent them from getting a swelled head (unless they are on Brain Parasite duty).
For all their apparent goals of reducing mad science and associated creations, are we really certain that Anasigma’s top echelons aren’t madboyz and girlz themselves?
Low job expectations: one of the mainstays of the modern economy. 🙂
(The other one is caffeine. )
I’m now reminded of the Dorsai attitude towards working for Xerox as expressed by Frank Hayes. 😛
http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=frank+hayes+don%27t+ask+dorsai&view=detail&mid=EFBFEC3E0AB041BAA4E5EFBFEC3E0AB041BAA4E5&FORM=VIRE
I’ve no doubt that Ginny would make a very good Dorsai. Mind you, in the Gordon Dickson universe she’d probably be happier as an Exotic or a Newtonian. But I have no doubt that she would have made a good Dorsai all the same. ^_~
Now if only the Dorsai stories had been written by Gordy. ^_^
I enjoyed them, regretting that Dickson never wrote the historical-novel end of them, regretting that he never brought the matter to a proper conclusion…but certain elements were pretty hard to take seriously.
Especially these days. I cannot look at “The Final Encyclopedia” without substituting “Wiki.”
I had more in mind the notion of one planet developing and exporting mercenaries (and other jobs) exclusively, to the exclusion of any other trade. Ever read “The Didactics of Mystique,” by “Flash Richardson?”
Gordy actually covered that in one of his stories. In one of the later novels when the hero is getting ready to confront Bleys and the Others it turns out that Dorsai has also developed a pretty decent fishing industry as well with the money brought back from the mercenary trade and that the fishing industry was starting to challenge the mercenary trade for primacy. Which was why the hero had a harder time recruiting troops on Dorsai then he had expected.
(To be continued)
That said, the development and export of mercenaries as a national industry is not unknown in History either. Most notably Switzerland which seemed to me to be what Dorsai was based off of just as Covenant was quite clearly meant to be pseudo-Scotland. Likewise Sparta in particular towards the end of it’s days of independence and the Greek city-states in general…
It’s the sort of thing you see when one region breeds good fighters and wealthier regions have a need for good fighters. Gordy exaggerated it a bit but keep in mind that he called the planets that did this *Splinter* Cultures for a reason and he was occasionally careful to indicate that even the most specialized of these groups did have other things going on. (To be continued)
The Labor Exchange contracts between planets, complete with conscription, on the other hand, was something that I had a harder time swallowing. But just because I don’t believe something likely or sensible doesn’t mean it won’t happen. To judge by the fact that it cropped up in places other then the Childe Cycle I suspect that Mr. Dickson believed in that one quite strongly and I suppose one could make a sort of case for it taking place in interplanetary affairs. I would think the people who set up such an arrangement to be idiots but people have done a lot of things I consider foolish and I suspect they will continue to do so in the future as well. @_@
Smart choice to use technicians. Regular shampooing ruins hair’s resale value.
Of course, Dr. Lee was too valuable to shoot, but upper management never told her: gotta keep your employees on their toes and prevent them from getting a swelled head (unless they are on Brain Parasite duty).
It’s not the targets who are random, it’s the timing. A company doesn’t get rid of its most productive staff, after all.
Oops, just reread it. Still probably not that random. You can hardly shoot someone you’ve lined up for extirpation.
I think shooting someone would extirpate them pretty effectively.
…hey. Harvest their hair for Christmas? Is this a “Gift of the Magi” reference?
They also stole all their pocketwatches.
Tune Merry Christmas (War is Over)
So this is Christmas,
When you’re at Skin Horse,
Where cheer is mandated,
By Sweetheart, of course.
It’s better than Christmas,
Over at A-Sig,
Where they only see you,
As fodder for wigs.
Shooting’s over,
For the moment.
Shooting’s over,
Now-ow-ow.
And so Happy Christmas
For those who still care
It’s all Secret Santas
And harvesting hair.
I take it that the Carbondale Anasigma HQ has been rebuilt and is up and running again…
Possibly, but (to me) it’s more likely a flash back to a previous year.
You’ve got “than than” in panel 2.
Dang. How many of us didn’t even see that? I know I didn’t.
For all their apparent goals of reducing mad science and associated creations, are we really certain that Anasigma’s top echelons aren’t madboyz and girlz themselves?
Or mad in some other way. Hannibal Lecter, director of human resources.
This is exactly why I never plan to join the private sector.