영어로 읽는 고전 _ 조지 O. 스미스의 본능
조지 O. 스미스의 "본능"은 1950년대 후반에 쓰여진 공상과학 중편소설이다. 이 이야기는 의사소통, 인간 본성, 그리고 문명의 순환적 흥망이라는 주제를 중심으로 전개되며, 특히 지구(테라라고 칭함)의 인간들과 더 발전된 외계 종족 간의 상호작용을 반영한다. 이 서사는 서로 다른 종족이 서로의 동기와 행동을 이해하려 할 때 발생하는 어려움들을 탐구한다.
줄거리는 외계 행성에 착륙한 후 외계 종족에게 포획되는 테란 우주비행사 제리 마크햄을 중심으로 전개된다. 첼란이 이끄는 외계인들은 테란들의 갈등 성향과 과거의 실패에도 불구하고 한계를 넘어서려는 끊임없는 추진력에 흥미를 느끼면서도 당황한다. 마크햄이 의사소통에서 격리되고 인간 본능의 비밀을 밝히기 위한 실험적 고립에 처해지면서, 그는 기억과 의사소통에 대해 깊이 성찰하기 시작한다. 궁극적으로 외계인들은 그의 감각 입력을 차단했음에도 불구하고 마크햄 존재의 본질?연결하고 소통하려는 욕구?이 굴복하지 않고 남아있다는 것을 알게 되며, 이는 역경에 직면했을 때조차 번성하려는 인류의 끈질긴 의지에 대한 인식을 촉발한다. 이야기는 외계인들이 인류의 회복력과 내재적 본성을 인정하면서 인류에 대한 접근 방식을 재고하는 것으로 마무리된다.
Classics Read in English _ Instinct by George O. Smith
"Instinct" by George O. Smith is a science fiction novella from the late 1950s that explores themes of communication, human nature, and the cyclical patterns of civilizational rise and decline. The narrative focuses on the interactions between humans from Earth (designated as Terra) and a technologically superior alien species, examining the fundamental challenges that arise when different sentient beings attempt to comprehend each other's motivations and behavioral patterns.
The story follows Jerry Markham, a Terran astronaut captured by an alien civilization after landing on their planet. Led by Chelan, these aliens are simultaneously fascinated and bewildered by humanity's propensity for conflict and their relentless drive to transcend limitations despite repeated historical failures. When Markham is subjected to total sensory isolation as part of an experiment designed to decode the essence of human instinct, he begins an intense introspective journey exploring the nature of memory and communication. The aliens ultimately discover that even after completely severing his sensory inputs, the fundamental core of Markham's being?his innate drive to connect and communicate?remains indomitable. This revelation forces them to acknowledge humanity's extraordinary resilience and persistent will to survive and thrive in the face of extreme adversity. The narrative concludes with the alien species fundamentally reassessing their understanding of humanity, recognizing both its inherent resilience and the immutable nature of human instinct.
Among the contents
It was 047-63-10 when he opened the door. Before his superior could chew him for prepunctuality, Huvane said as the chief looked up and opened his mouth to start:
“Sorry, but you should know. Terra is at it again.”
Chelan’s jaw snapped shut. He passed a hand over his face and asked in a tone of pure exasperation. “The same?” and as Huvane nodded, Chelan went on, “Why can’t they make a mistake and blow themselves out of our hair? How far did they get this time?”
“All the way.”
“And out?”
Huvane sat down shaking his head slowly. “Not yet, but they’re over the hump, you know.” Huvane’s face brightened ever so slightly. “I can’t be criticized for not counting them, chief. But I’ll estimate that there must be at least a couple of hundred atoms of 109 already. And you know that nobody could make 109 if they hadn’t already evolved methods of measuring the properties of individual atoms.
