Sages and scientists heard those words, and fear seized them. However, they disbelieved the horrible prophecy, deeming the possibility of perdition too improbable. They lifted the starship from its bed, shattered it into pieces with platinum hammers, plunged the pieces into hard radiation, and thus the ship was turned into myriads of volatile atoms, which are always silent, for atoms have no history; they are identical, whatever origin they have, whether it be bright suns, dead planets or intelligent creatures, — virtuous or vile — for raw matter is same in the Cosmos, and it is other things you should be afraid of.
Still, even atoms were gathered, frozen into one clod and sent into distant sky. Only then were Enterites able to say “We are saved. Nothing threatens us now”.
-- Stanislaw Lem, White Death
(as far as I know, this sweet short story never have been translated into English; I translated this passage myself from my Russian copy, so I will be glad if someone corrects my mistakes)
I’d say it’s highlighting the human fallacy to try to ignore and escape from bad news. Instead of facing this prophecy, they just destroyed the ship that delivered it to them and told themselves they were safe.
Actually, prophesy was about the ship; the spaceship crashed into Aragena, their planet, and then curious inhabitants looked inside (and found nothing dangerous). After that came the messenger of their King and told them that they all are doomed.
b) I was fascinated with the “volatile atoms” bit. It feels like a line taken from a poem on reductionism. I’m not sure that I managed to convey it because I’m not so much versed in English fiction and poetry.
Also, I liked their safety measures, it’s a pity they hadn’t worked in the end.
-- Stanislaw Lem, White Death
(as far as I know, this sweet short story never have been translated into English; I translated this passage myself from my Russian copy, so I will be glad if someone corrects my mistakes)
Not quite seeing the applicability as a rationality quote; but in “it’s bed” you should drop the apostrophe.
I’d say it’s highlighting the human fallacy to try to ignore and escape from bad news. Instead of facing this prophecy, they just destroyed the ship that delivered it to them and told themselves they were safe.
Actually, prophesy was about the ship; the spaceship crashed into Aragena, their planet, and then curious inhabitants looked inside (and found nothing dangerous). After that came the messenger of their King and told them that they all are doomed.
And they indeed were.
I imagine there’s an implied “and then the Reapers came” or something.
Probably I’m incredible late with that, but:
a) thank you, embarrassing mistake fixed
b) I was fascinated with the “volatile atoms” bit. It feels like a line taken from a poem on reductionism. I’m not sure that I managed to convey it because I’m not so much versed in English fiction and poetry.
Also, I liked their safety measures, it’s a pity they hadn’t worked in the end.