Becky Chambers’ “The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet” is a fun science fiction story introducing us to diverse characters representing many species and ideologies across the galaxy.
One species is Aandrisk, a compassionate, thoughtful reptilian-like species with a great capacity for empathy and connection. This stems from an intense focus on the present, appreciating the here and now. This appreciation is evident in one passage shared by the star Aandrisk in this series, Sissix:
“She would never, ever understand the idea that a child, especially an infant, was of more value than an adult who had already gained all the skills needed to benefit the community. The death of a new hatchling was so common as to be expected. The death of a child about to feather, yes, that was sad. But a real tragedy was the loss of an adult with friends and lovers and family. The idea that a loss of potential was somehow worse than the loss of achievement and knowledge was something she had never been able to wrap her brain around.”
Science fiction thinkers like Chambers illuminates aspects of our culture by creating new ones. She demonstrates how humans value the future, the potential of what life can become, more than what is valuable right now. Neither way is inherently misguided or wrong, and we, of course, can appreciate both at the same time. We believe it is essential to recognize where we lean as a society and hold ourselves accountable for this value.
Of course, losing anyone is sad, including our elders. We understand that part of the life cycle is something we will pass on. However, when an elder passes away, they are seen as having lived a whole life, giving them and their loved ones the ability to grieve in a less traumatic manner than those who lose a child.
We can understand how Sissix could not understand humanity valuing potential over achievement, but we are happy to be part of a culture that does. By valuing potential, we value hope. We value the future.
This doesn’t translate into policy, though. How long have we heard about greenhouse gases’ effect on our climate, yet the sales of SUVs powered mainly by fossil fuels reached an all-time high in 2021. This increase in global sales comes as we also see increased natural disasters related to climate change and their associated economic and societal costs. If we truly valued the future, we would implement measures to protect our survival beyond the here and now.
Whether or not every climate prediction comes to pass, it is still evident that there will be an impact on how humans and animals can exist on Earth. Why is it hard for those in the U.S. to create laws protecting those living on the planet 50, 100, or 150 years from now?
In individual families, we often see generational planning through trust funds, inheritances, etc. At this familial level, we appreciate the societal value of setting up future generations for success. Like buying property to give to our offspring, what would it look like from an issue standpoint? How can we “buy property” for human rights and equity to pass on to our descendants? How can we legislate societal norms and set cultural standards with our descendants in mind?
Voqal Partners and its programming seek to center voices historically left out of the town square and political debates to answer these questions and more. There is too much potential in our collective power not to unleash it. We propel work forward that centers potential and being good ancestors.
