Yes, competition and denial are far too prevalent in modern society. As the space people say, if only people of Earth would love one another; in other words, treat one another as precious and intimate Other Selves.
I own STRANGER IN A STRANGE LAND, but so far I've only read selected excerpts from it. When we return to Australia, I shall start reading it from the beginning until I get to the end. In 2009, Keanu Reeves was in a film version of this book, but for some reason that I forget, I never got around to seeing it. While here in Kuala Lumpur, I hope to find a DVD copy of this classic story.
It is so true what you say that the primary difference between the Martian and Earth cultures (in the book and in real life) is the attitudes towards touch, intimacy and relationships.
Yes, just like you, I have sometimes thought about how wonderful it would be to be in a married home with more than two adults. Polygamy and Polyandry are very good for children because there are more parents to love and care for them. Also, the work load is lighter because more people are sharing it.
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Originally Posted by Starflower
Thanks for sharing those excerpts, John. Reading them was a pleasure. I can't help but imagine what society would be like if beings innately each other as intimate and precious, rather than as someone to compete with or deny. This is a big leap from where society is today and I think it is best appreciated by looking at the whole context that Heinlein pulls together via his novel.
I have reread Heinlein's, Stranger in a Strange Land just this year and it was fascinating how Heinlein unfolded the clash of cultural mores between Earth and Valentine Michael Smith, the Martian. And from my perspective, the differences begin with our taboos about touch, intimacy and relationships.
Dora, from Time Enough For Love sounds like a woman who so knew herself with love that she had more than enough to give multiple sincere partners. I, myself have considered how wonderful it would be to have a married home with more than two adults. The narrator in your excerpt makes a good point about how more hands would make the work lighter and there would also be more people to love and care for their children.
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