Passing For Human

Passing for Human by Jody Scott

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I'm not sure how exactly I came to learn of this book. I think it was mentioned at a panel on "obsurce books you should read" at Capricon, a Chicago-area science fiction convention. Well, whoever mentioned the book was right - you should read it.

The ebook description on Amazon says it is "one of the 10 weirdest science fiction novels you've ever read" and I heartily agree with that sentiment. Written in 1977, the book stars Benaroya, a dolphin-like alien from a highly-advanced race. She's an anthropologist and is visiting then-modern Earth. She is able to download herself into human bodies, such as a copy of Emma Peel or Virginia Woolf. While expressing her opinions about the (to her) Stone Age humans, she's in a struggle with another alien race over the fate of Earth.

This book is hard to describe because it's so weird. I'll just say, go read it.



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Ukraine Thoughts

For the record and so I may refer to them later, my thoughts on the situation in the Ukraine.

First, there is no moral, legal or ethical reason for Russia to invade Ukraine. The "republics" Putin recognized are creatures of Russia, created by Putin to weaken Ukraine. They are not only not under any threat but are in fact causing threats, and Russian "peacekeepers" are not keeping peace but threatening war.

Second, although Putin needs to be punished, I am not in favor of going to war to do so. Arming Ukrainians, yes. Sanctions, yes. War, either ground combat or some "no-fly zone" (which is an act of war) - no.

Third, we as the West need to assume that Putin is a clear and present danger. Whether he's crafty as a fox or high on his own supply I don't know, but we can't assume this will be the last bite of the apple. We need to move significant heavy forces to NATO now, move them as far east as we can, and expect to be there for years. If Finland and Sweden want to join NATO, get them in and integrated as rapidly as possible.

Fourth, we as Americans need to recognize that we will inevitably be drawn into any long-duration war in Europe. The US was created in large part as a result of the Seven Years War. We got drawn into the Napoleonic Wars (we call our part the War of 1812). We got drawn into both World Wars. We have a choice - sit back fat, dumb and happy until we get sucked into a war and scramble, or try and prevent that war while ensuring should one come we are in a better situation.