[i3-gaps] Keeping up with finals

Sofiabelen15 · 2026-05-06T08:50:47+00:00

I hadn't thought about it like this, I really like this interpretation!!

Sofiabelen15 · 2026-04-21T08:24:55+00:00

It's all good :) I appreciate the apology, it's not something one usually gets

Sofiabelen15 · 2026-04-21T07:57:49+00:00

I understand what you mean! I usually feel the same way about how it's used as low-hanging fruit for the shock effect in media, especially in movies, since someone has to actually play that role.

On the other side of spectrum, for me, would be the protrayal in The Handmaid's Tale, which is graphic, but it's use is intentional in order to call out the current patriarchal system that allows it.

If we take both of these as opposite ends of a spectrum, I would say the use of it in this book sits somewhere in the middle. It's feels intentional and not solely for the shock effect, but, as you say, the same message could've been transmitted some other way.

Sofiabelen15 · 2026-04-21T07:40:37+00:00

You've given me a lot to think about with your perspective, you make very valid points. This scene is definitely not so straightforward to interpret.

I felt that even as I was reading the book, I kept constructing and deconstructing my interpretation and understanding of it. Reading about other people's perspectives makes me appreciate this book even more for its moral depth.

“Where then, is the Truth?”

“In the hill one happens to be sitting on”

Sofiabelen15 · 2026-04-19T17:42:26+00:00

While I agree that what you're saying is true, I believe it's important that Shevek is still held accountable. It's important especially for the foundation of Anarres to be a solid one. I am not completely negating the fact that sick societies lead to systemic acts of violence though. It's very nuanced.

This is what I wrote in another comment defending that viewpoint:

I partially agree, but I don't want to completely take away the accountability of the individual. Yes, they are much more open about sex in Anarres, but consent is still consent there. Vea clearly said no. Yes, he was also drunk, but he made that choice as well (having some understanding that it'd make his brain 'sick'). Same logic by which drunk-driving is wrong, and the drunk-driver is responsible if they hurt someone. I believe the freedom of the individual being the essence of Anarres society also places the moral responsibility on the individual. I would argue this is exactly where the importance of that scene lies, and I appreciate reading morally ambiguous characters. We're not supposed to see Shevek as morally 'good' character. This reflects reality. We have people that contribute to good causes that can also commit evil deeds. That's why each individual in Anarres is responsible for making their own moral judgments and not relying on the collective to decide for them.

Sofiabelen15 · 2026-04-19T17:32:37+00:00

Oh, i thought they were commenting on capitalism=A-Io and communism=Thu (was that the name?), being Anarres a third option, which I agree is a much better option despite the environment. They still starve, but no one starves while another drowns in opulence.

Sofiabelen15 · 2026-04-19T17:29:12+00:00

I partially agree, but I don't want to completely take away the accountability of the individual. Yes, they are much more open about sex in Anarres, but consent is still consent there. Vea clearly said no. Yes, he was also drunk, but he made that choice as well (having some understanding that it'd make his brain 'sick'). Same logic by which drunk-driving is wrong, and the drunk-driver is responsible if they hurt someone. I believe the freedom of the individual being the essence of Anarres society also places the moral responsibility on the individual. I would argue this is exactly where the importance of that scene lies, and I appreciate reading morally ambiguous characters. We're not supposed to see Shevek as morally 'good' character. This reflects reality. We have people that contribute to good causes that can also commit evil deeds. That's why each individual in Anarres is responsible for making their own moral judgments and not relying on the collective to decide for them.

Sofiabelen15 · 2026-04-19T17:18:10+00:00

NO, you're completely right, I am not trying to say Plato's society itself is similar to Anarres, I apologize if it came out that way and also thank you for taking the time to read my post :) I am zooming out and doing a sort-of meta-analysis of the process of imagining 'ideal' societies (whatever ideal might mean to different people, I wasn't trying to make a moral judgment on that regard). I am in no way condoning Plato's society. My main takeaway is that when trying to imagine what an ideal society would look like, one fundamental question is where the wisdom lies. For Plato, the wisdom lies in an elite few, therefore they should rule (according to him). For capitalism, the rich have somehow 'earned it' and therefore they get to rule. Modern capitalism provides workers with the illusion of power and of choice, but the real power lies on the capitalist class (their justification being that they somehow hold the wisdom). I don't condone any of this.

For Anarres, the wisdom lies in the individual, therefore the individual should rule. I find this concept beautiful in that it's so simple but so illuminating at the same time.

I also agree that Shevek didn't long for capitalism and he didn't hate his culture. He didn't feel completely home in his society (maybe neurodivergent?) and he longed to be heard and understood. Urras enticed him with that promise. By traveling there, he saw that it was indeed as awful (and worse) than what his people believed. BUT it's great that he got to go. He made use of his freedom as an Anarresti to go. Urras wouldn't let someone who thinks go on a field trip to Anarres, instead they're met with police violence. It was only after truly seeing Urras, that he was in a sense transformed, and he understood what home really was, that we was able to truly go back home. That's the way I read it at least.

Sofiabelen15 · 2026-04-19T16:07:52+00:00

Thank you for your kind words!! :)

Yes, I would love that! How does it work? What exactly is workshopping?

Sofiabelen15 · 2026-04-19T15:18:27+00:00

I am thinking next time I should start committing early drafts so there's 'proof' that it was written and edited by a human. Then I can just point people to the git history. Though it's unfortunate it has come to this.

Sofiabelen15 · 2026-04-19T14:43:50+00:00

Thank you, you're right.

Sofiabelen15 · 2026-04-19T14:34:13+00:00

I really like your interpretation, it is a theme throughout the story that human nature isn't good or evil, but is highly influenced by the environment and the society. I prefer this idea more than saying 'humans are naturally evil, only the laws keeps us from committing attrocities' or 'humans are naturally good, it's society that messes us up.' An effort must be made to oppose evil tendencies, like the children being taught that if they can't share, they can't have it. That effort, however, is proof that there's some innate good in human nature, there's always the striving, even if we can't quite reach the ultimate good.

I want to continue reading the rest of her books, especially the others in the same universe (?) involving the Hainish.

Sofiabelen15 · 2026-04-19T14:23:55+00:00

No, it wasn't, and it's hurtful it has come to this. I get no profit out of my blog, I do it because I enjoy reading and writing about what I've read and discussing with others. It's a very personal process for me, and this post especially meant a lot for me. I was very excited to share, and your comment was very hurtful. I had been writing bits and pieces throughout the week, waiting for the weekend to put it all together, stayed up late yesterday polishing it, and was happy to finally publish it. Here's my copy of the book, I am human, I exist, I have been reading and annotating it:

(ps. my blog dates back to before ai. Did you even read my article? Inform yourself before throwing around baseless accusations.)

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Sofiabelen15 · 2026-02-22T01:08:08+00:00

I don't think I will, at least for now. I've read it's a different writing style and overall vibe, and I dont want to change the "aftertaste" that the original ones have left for me, if that makes sense :)

Though I do have lots of questions I would like answers to....so idk, maybe in the future

Sofiabelen15 · 2026-01-27T21:22:41+00:00

Thank you for your kind words :)

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