The Instrumentality of Mankind by Cordwainer Smith
"The Instrumentality of Mankind" is a series of interconnected stories by author Cordwainer Smith, set within a complex future history that explores the relationship between humanity and advanced technology, as well as themes of love, sacrifice, and the potential consequences of scientific experimentation. The narratives feature a diverse range of characters, including scientists, telepaths, and explorers, who navigate a world shaped by war, espionage, and the enigmatic forces of the Instrumentality.
In tales such as "No, No, Not Rogov!" and "War No. 81-Q," Smith delves into the moral ambiguities of power and the impact of technology on human thought and behavior. Other stories, like "Mark Elf" and its sequel "The Queen of the Afternoon," highlight the intertwining fates of individuals and their struggles against oppressive systems. The collection also includes thought-provoking scenarios, such as extraterrestrial encounters in "From Gustible's Planet" and the transcendent experiences in "Drunkboat," illustrating the vastness of space and the human condition.
Overall, Smith's work invites readers to reflect on the potential futures of humanity, the ethical dimensions of progress, and the profound connections that bind individuals across time and space. This exploration of speculative fiction offers rich insights into the challenges and possibilities inherent in the evolution of mankind.
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The Instrumentality of Mankind
First published: 1979
Type of work: Stories
Type of plot: Science fiction—future history
Time of work: Various times between the close of World War II and c.e. 15,000
Locale: Earth, Venus, various other planets, and aboard spacecraft
The Plot
Nine stories in this collection are part of Cordwainer Smiths future history, several involving the Instrumentality. The last five stories are not part of the common future history, although Smith pursues his usual themes in them.
“No, No, Not Rogov!” is set shortly after World War II. Rogov and his wife, both scientists and members of the Soviet elite, work on an espionage machine (often killing human test subjects) by which they will be able to tune in and confuse the thoughts of others. When Rogov tries the completed machine, a slight miscalculation causes him to see the beautiful celebration of The Glory and Affirmation of Man being held in 13,582 c.e.. As a result of seeing this celebration, he falls into a permanent trance. Rogov’s wife, who caught a glimpse of the fabulous vision, refuses to continue the experiments.
In “War No. 81-Q,” set in 2127 c.e., the Mongolian Alliance and the Americans receive permission to wage war with radio-controlled aero-ships. When Jack Bearden takes control of the remaining American ships, he falters, realizing that he is an overrated hero. He goes on to eke out a victory and gain fame as the Charles Lindbergh of the twenty-second century.
“Mark Elf” is set in the era following the Ancient Wars. Laird, a telepath, locates an ancient satellite carrying Carlotta vom Acht in suspended animation. In the forest where she lands, Carlotta confronts the strange creatures roaming Earth, including Mark Elf, a machine that kills anybody not having German thoughts. She is protected by a talking bear, who tells her that Laird, who sees in her the regeneration of the True Men, will be her husband.
In “The Queen of the Afternoon,” the sequel to “Mark Elf,” Carlotta, unable to rejuvenate, has grown old and decrepit, unlike Laird, who remains youthful. He calls down a second satellite, one containing Juli, Carlotta’s sister. Upon Carlotta’s death, Juli marries Laird and helps him overthrow the Jwindz overlords who held mind control over humanity. Juli grows old in her turn, but Laird refuses rejuvenation, choosing to die with her. The last sister called down, Karla, will work out her own fate.
In “When the People Fell,” Dobyns Bennett is working at the Experimental Area on Venus when the Chinesians parachute down 83 million people in a single day. Despite countless casualties, they set up home and eliminate the competitive Martian life-form. Bennett meets, comes to love, and marries Terza, daughter of Scanner of Vomact (one of the descendants, presumably, of the vom Acht sisters who show up in minor roles throughout Smith’s fiction).
“Think Blue, Count Two” is about Veesey, a young girl who is a crew backup on a long-term interstellar flight. Awakened en route, she tries to prevent violence between the male crew members, Trece and Talatashar. Out of jealousy, Talatashar overpowers Trece and Veesey, threatening to carry out unspeakable atrocities against them and all the passengers in cold storage. They are saved by a device that Veesey activates by remembering a poem. At their destination, the vast loneliness of space behind them, Veesey and Talatashar find that they are attracted to each other.
“The Colonel Came Back from Nothing-at-All” concerns Colonel Harkening, who appears from nowhere and is unable to respond to stimuli. A young girl makes telepathic contact with the colonel, who has been in space, where faster-than-light travel is possible. His adventures bring humankind into the age of planoforming.
In “From Gustible’s Planet,” the aliens from Gustible, the obnoxious Apicians, so love human food and liquor that they flock to Earth to gorge on its treats. Humans discover that the ducklike creatures are extraordinarily tasty, so the Apicians, to avoid being eaten, retreat to their home planet.
In “Drunkboat” (with obvious allusions to Arthur Rimbaud’s poem “The Drunken Boat”), Lord Crudelta of the Instrumentality, to show the existence of space, places Artyr Rambo a galaxy away from his beloved Elizabeth. To return to her, he must travel in space, where movement is instantaneous from any spot to any other, no matter the distance. Rambo describes space as a realm of fantastic visions, though it is not a place he wants to revisit. The discovery of space brings humankind to the brink of a new age.