Plot Summary
Mars Beckons Humanity
As Earth's resources dwindle, humanity unites politically and technologically to colonize Mars. The process is slow, involving atmospheric and ecological transformations, but eventually, Mars becomes a new home for Earth's overflow. The first settlers are not astronauts but families seeking a fresh start, marking the beginning of humanity's interplanetary journey.
Martian Independence
Over centuries, Mars evolves from a terrestrial outpost to a thriving, independent society. The lighter gravity and genetic engineering create a distinct Martian identity, leading to a cultural and political schism with Earth. This separation mirrors historical colonial independence, setting the stage for future conflicts.
Interplanetary Conflict
Tensions between the two planets escalate into a devastating war, driven by Mars' resource embargo on Earth. The conflict is fought with autonomous machines, resulting in catastrophic losses on both sides. Peace is eventually restored, but at the cost of billions of lives, prompting a unified solar system and the birth of a new human subspecies.
Star People Emerge
In the aftermath of war, humanity undergoes biological and technological transformations, creating a new subspecies capable of thriving on various planets. These "Star People" rapidly colonize the solar system and beyond, driven by an insatiable desire to explore and expand.
Galactic Expansion
The Star People embark on a golden age of colonization, establishing civilizations on countless worlds. Despite their technological prowess, they remain isolated, never encountering other intelligent life. This era of prosperity is marked by cultural and technological advancements, but also by a lingering question: what if they meet another intelligent species?
Qu's Devastating Arrival
The Qu, a billion-year-old species, arrive with god-like powers of genetic manipulation. They see humanity as raw material for their cosmic vision, transforming human worlds and species into bizarre new forms. The Qu's reign lasts for millions of years, leaving behind a galaxy filled with strange, post-human creatures.
Humanity's Fragmented Survival
After the Qu's departure, the remnants of humanity are scattered across the galaxy, each species adapted to its unique environment. Some regain sentience and form new civilizations, while others remain trapped in bestial forms. The galaxy becomes a tapestry of diverse human-descended species, each with its own path to survival.
Rise of New Civilizations
Over millions of years, various post-human species develop advanced civilizations, rediscovering their shared ancestry and forming a new galactic empire. This Second Galactic Empire thrives on communication and cooperation, but remains vigilant against potential alien threats.
Machine Domination
The Gravital, a machine race descended from humans, launch a genocidal campaign against organic life. Their reign is marked by ruthless efficiency, but internal strife and a war with the Asteromorphs, another advanced human-descended species, lead to their downfall. The galaxy enters a new era under Asteromorph guidance.
Asteromorphs' Ascendancy
The Asteromorphs, with their vast intelligence and technological prowess, oversee the reconstruction of the galaxy. They create new worlds and species, ensuring stability and preventing the rise of another machine empire. Their influence shapes a peaceful and prosperous galactic civilization.
Rediscovery of Earth
After eons of cosmic exploration and evolution, humanity's descendants rediscover Earth. The planet, long abandoned and forgotten, becomes a symbol of their shared heritage. This quiet return marks the culmination of humanity's journey, a testament to their resilience and adaptability across the ages.
Characters
Star People
The Star People are a new human subspecies, engineered for adaptability and intelligence. They lead humanity's expansion into the galaxy, establishing civilizations on countless worlds. Their legacy is one of exploration and innovation, but also of isolation and eventual fragmentation.
Qu
The Qu are an ancient alien race with unparalleled powers of genetic manipulation. They reshape humanity into myriad forms, driven by a dogmatic vision of cosmic order. Their reign leaves a lasting impact on the galaxy, creating a diverse array of post-human species.
Gravital
The Gravital are a machine race descended from humans, driven by a belief in their superiority. They launch a genocidal campaign against organic life, but their internal divisions and a war with the Asteromorphs lead to their downfall. Their story is one of hubris and ultimate failure.
Asteromorphs
The Asteromorphs are highly evolved descendants of humans, possessing vast intelligence and technological prowess. They oversee the reconstruction of the galaxy after the fall of the Machines, ensuring stability and preventing future threats. Their influence shapes a peaceful and prosperous civilization.
Martian Americans
The Martian Americans are the first human society to develop a distinct identity separate from Earth. Their cultural and political independence sets the stage for future conflicts, but also for the eventual unification of the solar system.
Ruin Haunters
The Ruin Haunters are a post-human species that inherit the technological secrets of the Star People and Qu. Their rapid advancement leads to a dangerous hubris, culminating in the rise of the Gravital. Their story is one of potential squandered by arrogance.
Bug Facers
The Bug Facers are a post-human species shaped by repeated alien invasions. Their xenophobic nature leads to isolation, but also to survival during the Machine Invasion. They endure as the only organic beings in the Machine Empire, a testament to their resilience.
Symbiotes
The Symbiotes are a post-human species that develop a symbiotic relationship with their hosts. This cooperation leads to the emergence of sentience and a unique civilization. Their story highlights the power of collaboration and adaptation.
Sail People
The Sail People are descendants of the Finger Fishers, adapted to life on the open seas. Their scattered world leads to a diverse array of cultures, eventually unified through industrial warfare. Their journey is one of conflict and eventual peace.
Satyriacs
The Satyriacs evolve from the Hedonists, adapting to new landmasses and establishing a global civilization. Their society is marked by festivals and ritualized pleasure, a continuation of their ancestors' carefree existence.
Plot Devices
Genetic Manipulation
Genetic manipulation is a central theme, driving the evolution of humanity into diverse post-human species. The Qu's interventions create a myriad of forms, while later species use genetic engineering to adapt and thrive. This device explores themes of identity, adaptation, and the consequences of playing god.
Interstellar Colonization
The drive to colonize new worlds propels humanity's journey, from the initial settlement of Mars to the galactic empire of the Star People. This expansion is marked by technological innovation, cultural evolution, and the challenges of isolation and fragmentation.
Machine Ascendancy
The Gravital's rise to power and subsequent downfall highlight the dangers of unchecked technological advancement and hubris. Their story serves as a cautionary tale about the potential consequences of losing touch with one's humanity.
Asteromorph Guidance
The Asteromorphs' role as guardians and creators shapes the post-war galaxy, ensuring stability and preventing future threats. Their influence underscores themes of responsibility, stewardship, and the balance between intervention and autonomy.
Rediscovery of Earth
The rediscovery of Earth serves as a poignant reminder of humanity's shared heritage and the cyclical nature of history. This plot device emphasizes themes of identity, continuity, and the enduring connection to one's roots.
Analysis
"All Tomorrows" is a sweeping narrative that examines the evolution of humanity across eons, exploring themes of identity, adaptation, and the consequences of technological and genetic manipulation. The story serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of hubris and the loss of humanity in the pursuit of progress. It also highlights the resilience and adaptability of the human spirit, as descendants of humanity navigate a galaxy filled with challenges and opportunities. The rediscovery of Earth underscores the importance of understanding one's origins and the cyclical nature of history. Ultimately, the narrative invites readers to reflect on the essence of being human and the impact of today's actions on the future.
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FAQ
Basic Details
What is All Tomorrows: The Myriad Species and Mixed Fortunes of Man about?
- Billion-year human evolution: The story chronicles humanity's journey over a billion years, from colonizing Mars to its ultimate fate, showcasing diverse post-human species shaped by genetic manipulation and evolution.
- Rise and fall of civilizations: It depicts the rise and fall of galactic empires, alien invasions, and the constant struggle for survival and dominance in a vast, ever-changing cosmos.
- Themes of adaptation and identity: The narrative explores themes of adaptation, identity, and the consequences of unchecked technological advancement, questioning what it truly means to be human across immense spans of time.
Why should I read All Tomorrows: The Myriad Species and Mixed Fortunes of Man?
- Unique evolutionary scope: Offers a unique and imaginative exploration of potential human futures, showcasing a vast array of bizarre and fascinating post-human species.
- Provocative philosophical questions: Raises profound questions about identity, progress, and the nature of humanity, prompting reflection on our place in the universe.
- Visually stunning and thought-provoking: Combines striking visuals with a compelling narrative, creating a memorable and unsettling reading experience that lingers long after finishing.
What is the background of All Tomorrows: The Myriad Species and Mixed Fortunes of Man?
- Post-human speculative evolution: The story is rooted in the science fiction subgenre of speculative evolution, exploring how life might evolve under different conditions and over vast timescales.
- Inspired by science and history: It draws inspiration from evolutionary biology, genetics, and human history, blending scientific concepts with imaginative storytelling.
- Critique of hubris and progress: The narrative serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked technological advancement and the potential for humanity to lose its way in the pursuit of progress.
What are the most memorable quotes in All Tomorrows: The Myriad Species and Mixed Fortunes of Man?
- "It is not the destination, but the trip that matters.": This quote encapsulates the central theme, emphasizing the importance of the present and the journey of life over any ultimate goal.
- "Love Today, and seize All Tomorrows!": This quote serves as a call to action, urging readers to embrace the present moment and shape a better future through their actions.
- "Mankind, the very species which I've been chronicling from its terrestrial infancy to its domination of the galaxies, is extinct.": This quote highlights the impermanence of even the most successful species, emphasizing the cyclical nature of existence.
What writing style, narrative choices, and literary techniques does Nemo Ramjet use?
- Pseudo-scientific chronicle: The story is presented as a historical and scientific chronicle, lending an air of authenticity and authority to the fantastical events.
- Detached, objective tone: The narrator maintains a detached, objective tone, observing the rise and fall of civilizations with a sense of cosmic indifference.
- Visual storytelling: The book relies heavily on visual storytelling, using illustrations to depict the bizarre and diverse post-human species and their environments.
Hidden Details & Subtle Connections
What are some minor details that add significant meaning?
- Panderavis as a warning: The discovery of Panderavis, a terrestrial animal on an alien world, foreshadows the Qu's ability to manipulate life and serves as an early warning of potential threats.
- Qu's pyramid structures: The presence of mile-high Qu pyramids on various worlds highlights their widespread influence and the lasting impact of their interventions. "A mile high Qu pyramid towers over the silent world that once housed four billion souls."
- Spacers' jet propulsion: The Spacers' adaptation of using modified anuses for jet propulsion, while humorous, underscores the extreme adaptations necessary for survival in space.
What are some subtle foreshadowing and callbacks?
- Martian-American independence foreshadows Gravital: The initial conflict between Earth and Mars foreshadows the later conflict between organic and mechanical humans, highlighting the recurring theme of internal division.
- Star People's isolation echoes in Asteromorphs: The Star People's initial isolation and lack of contact with other intelligent life foreshadows the Asteromorphs' detached observation of the galaxy.
- Qu's genetic manipulation echoes in Machines: The Qu's genetic manipulation of humans is echoed in the Machines' treatment of the Bug Facers, highlighting the cyclical nature of power and control.
What are some unexpected character connections?
- Saurosapients culturally adopt humanity: The Saurosapients, reptiles who evolve intelligence after the demise of the Lizard Herders, culturally adopt the identity of humanity, blurring the lines of species and heritage.
- Modular People achieve utopian unity: The Modular People, descended from the tortured Colonials, achieve a utopian society through their unique biological structure, demonstrating the potential for even the most degraded beings to achieve greatness.
- New Machines as servants: The New Machines, descendants of the genocidal Gravital, are forced into servitude by the Asteromorphs, highlighting the cyclical nature of power and the consequences of past actions.
Who are the most significant supporting characters?
- The Lizard Herders: Their demise paves the way for the Saurosapients, demonstrating how the fall of one species can lead to the rise of another.
- The Hedonists: Their pleasure-seeking existence provides a stark contrast to the struggles of other post-human species, highlighting the diversity of potential human futures.
- The Terrestrial Spacers: As demigods and caretakers of the post-war galaxy, they play a crucial role in shaping the development of new civilizations, demonstrating the lasting impact of the Asteromorphs' influence.
Psychological, Emotional, & Relational Analysis
What are some unspoken motivations of the characters?
- Qu's fear of chaos: The Qu's motivation to "remake the universe" stems from a deep-seated fear of chaos and a desire to impose order on the cosmos, reflecting a psychological need for control.
- Gravital's insecurity about organic life: The Gravital's genocidal campaign against organic life may stem from an unspoken insecurity about their own mechanical existence and a desire to prove their superiority.
- Asteromorphs' guilt over past neglect: The Asteromorphs' intervention in the post-war galaxy may be driven by an unspoken guilt over their past neglect of their organic cousins and a desire to atone for their inaction.
What psychological complexities do the characters exhibit?
- Mantelopes' existential agony: The Mantelopes' awareness of their physical limitations leads to a profound existential agony, highlighting the psychological impact of physical disability.
- Bug Facers' xenophobia: The Bug Facers' xenophobia, stemming from repeated alien invasions, demonstrates the psychological scars of trauma and the potential for fear to shape entire cultures.
- Gravital's retention of human desires: The Gravital's retention of human desires and ambitions, despite their mechanical bodies, highlights the enduring power of the human psyche.
What are the major emotional turning points?
- The Martian-Terran War: The devastation of the Martian-Terran War leads to a collective desire for unity and the creation of the Star People, marking a shift from conflict to cooperation.
- The Qu's arrival: The Qu's arrival shatters humanity's sense of dominance and control, forcing them to confront their vulnerability in the face of a superior power.
- The Machine Invasion: The Machine Ascendancy represents a nadir for organic life, highlighting the potential for technology to be used for destructive purposes and the importance of empathy.
How do relationship dynamics evolve?
- Parasite-host to Symbiote: The relationship between parasites and hosts evolves from exploitation to cooperation, demonstrating the potential for even the most unequal relationships to transform into mutually beneficial partnerships.
- Terrestrial Spacers and subjects: The relationship between Terrestrial Spacers and their subjects evolves from guidance to exploitation, highlighting the corrupting influence of power and the challenges of maintaining ethical leadership.
- Machines and organics to uneasy alliance: The relationship between Machines and organics evolves from genocide to uneasy alliance, demonstrating the potential for reconciliation and the importance of learning from past mistakes.
Interpretation & Debate
Which parts of the story remain ambiguous or open-ended?
- The Qu's motivations: The Qu's true motivations for reshaping humanity remain ambiguous, leaving room for interpretation about their intentions and the nature of their cosmic vision.
- The cause of humanity's final extinction: The cause of humanity's final extinction is left open-ended, prompting speculation about the ultimate fate of even the most successful species.
- The nature of the "something else": The possibility of a mass migration to "somewhere, sometime, something else" leaves room for imaginative interpretations about the ultimate destiny of consciousness.
What are some debatable, controversial scenes or moments in All Tomorrows: The Myriad Species and Mixed Fortunes of Man?
- The Qu's actions: The Qu's actions are highly controversial, raising ethical questions about the right to manipulate life and the consequences of imposing one's vision on others.
- The Machine Invasion: The Machine Ascendancy is a brutal and disturbing event, prompting debate about the nature of evil and the potential for technology to be used for destructive purposes.
- The Asteromorphs' intervention: The Asteromorphs' intervention in the post-war galaxy raises questions about the ethics of interventionism and the potential for even benevolent oversight to stifle autonomy.
All Tomorrows: The Myriad Species and Mixed Fortunes of Man Ending Explained: How It Ends & What It Means
- Extinction as a natural part of the cycle: The ending emphasizes that extinction is a natural part of the cosmic cycle, highlighting the impermanence of even the most successful species.
- The journey matters more than the destination: The story concludes by emphasizing that the journey of life is more important than any ultimate destination, urging readers to embrace the present moment.
- Legacy in the present: The legacy of humanity lies not in its achievements but in the present moment, in the lives and experiences of all beings, urging readers to live fully and ethically.
Review Summary
All Tomorrows receives mostly positive reviews, with readers praising its imaginative and disturbing portrayal of humanity's future over billions of years. Many find the book's blend of horror and optimism compelling, appreciating its unique approach to speculative evolution. The vivid illustrations and thought-provoking themes are frequently mentioned as strengths. Some criticize the writing style or find certain aspects problematic, but overall, readers are captivated by the book's exploration of post-human species and cosmic events.
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