by Erwin Dennis Umali | 2010-23119
Being exposed to different perspectives is fascinating and humbling. In a way, this is what human discovery is about -- to be exposed to different horizons, to have your beliefs and known truths proven false, in order to come closer to understanding more about things around us.
Being exposed to different perspectives is fascinating and humbling. In a way, this is what human discovery is about -- to be exposed to different horizons, to have your beliefs and known truths proven false, in order to come closer to understanding more about things around us.
This what what I felt about the radio drama adaptation of Asimov's Nightfall. The drama presented an environment that is usual for us, but essentially cataclysmic for those in the story. It was set in a seemingly similar, but entirely different world than ours. The concept of 'night', something ingrained into our very existence, is completely foreign to the inhabitants of the planet with a five-star system as their source of light. Never does complete darkness overshadow the world -- until a scientific hypothesis, coinciding with a prophetic doctrine, reveals that a period of darkness was to come to them soon.
I immensely enjoyed imagining this world. What would a life filled with unending light be like? What kind of fear would assail you if ubiquitous light were cut off from you? Initially, it sounded like their reactions were too over the top (including their reactions on darkened rooms and pitch-black tunnels), but the story narration was excellent in setting the mood, convincing you that losing light is as catastrophic as losing air.
The way the story finishes also inspired a profound sense of wonder for me. As they saw night stars for the first time and wondered if, maybe, the legends of a planet orbiting a single sun were true -- that moment made me ponder our own existence, and wonder how much our imagination is limited from perspectives.
Nightfall was excellent in portraying an alternate world, and effectively juxtaposes it with our current situation. This is, for me, what I love about science fiction writing -- creating alternate worlds that one can dive into, evoking thoughts, emotions, and perspectives in a fantastic, unique way. I'll definitely come back some time to visit Asimov's other renowned works.
Nightfall was excellent in portraying an alternate world, and effectively juxtaposes it with our current situation. This is, for me, what I love about science fiction writing -- creating alternate worlds that one can dive into, evoking thoughts, emotions, and perspectives in a fantastic, unique way. I'll definitely come back some time to visit Asimov's other renowned works.
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