I was surprised to see that the central concepts of VOYAGE OF THE SPACE BEAGLE by the venerable and somewhat quacky science fiction author A.E. Van Vogt (Simon & Schuster, 1939) still hold up pretty well. Van Vogt suggests that the growth of scientific specialization and its concomitant compartmentalization pose major dangers to the growth of scientific understanding. This is certainly borne out by my experience working in interdisciplinary research support over the past three years.
Similarly, Van Vogt suggests that the development of a new educational system (he calls it Nexialism) might give its practitioners great responsibilities and great advantages. This also rings true. There have been no great innovations in educational technology since 1939 (although we've made great strides in the technology of educational bureaucracy...)
Fun, and recommended for anyone with a taste for Golden Age SF.
Editor's Recommendations, Summer 1996In this inaugural edition of IBIC's Featured Books, I'd like to draw your attention to several titles which have helped to shape my life and thinking.
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