Security
Poul William Anderson
Read by Gregg Margarite (1957-2012)
“Security” tells the story of a compartmentalized government physicist ordered by secret police to complete experiments aimed at developing a new weapon. He is brought to a hidden space station and put in charge of the project but there are many questions. In a world of spies watching spies it’s sometimes hard to know what’s patriotic. -- Poul Anderson was a Golden Age Science Fiction and Fantasy author. “Security” first appeared in the magazine “Space Science Fiction” in February of 1953 (Summary by Gregg Margarite) (1 hr 19 min)
Chapters
| Security (Part 1) | 44:32 | Read by Gregg Margarite (1957-2012) |
| Security (Part 2) | 34:33 | Read by Gregg Margarite (1957-2012) |
Reviews
Eerily Predictive for 1953!
Pyrodin123321
I liked this somewhat dystopic short story, but it kinda creeps me out when books written in 1953 predict that the first amendment will be subverted, habeas corpus and all rights forfeitted, and torture permitted if you are even suspected of "treason". It also predicts some very near real technology, super capacitors! This work of fiction is frighteningly close to the reality, only instead of "treason" its "terrorism" and the situation is getting worse. Just remember, "Those who would give up Essential Liberty to purchase a little Temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety." -Benjamin Franklin By the way-Gregg Margarite and Mark Nelson both occupy the #1 reader position in my book! Peace
nicely driven scy fi book with my favourite reader..
Maynard James Keenan
Classic cold war era Sci fi, beautifully read
Billy Bob Thornton
Poul Anderson is a big name in classic Sci fi for a good reason. This is a great story that explores political power, authority, ideology and loyalty in human beings with the backdrop of an interesting (post World War 3) Cold War. The US dominates the globe and its citizens have lived under a perpetual state of emergency that's lasted for 70 years. Rights and freedoms the way we understand them do not exist for US citizens in this world. Our main character is a scientist who's just interested in doing his job, but his job is working on revolutionary technology that has significant impacts on the status quo and balance of power. Fantastic stuff, strongly recommended.
To Pyrodin
Carly Corday
Yet the United States wants Julian Assange for "treason" and the guy isn't even an American. Dystopian enough? This is happening NOW. It strikes me as worse than any predictions I've EVER read in science fiction. No one even seems to notice that it's almost a joke, a non-American charged with treason against the United States. Of the people who are even aware of Assange and Wikileaks, half sympathize with him, the other half want him murdered by the State and say so right out loud as "journalists" on one insanely popular cable, ahem, "news" channel. Who wants to be next after Assange????
Cautionary Tale
Bill Cosby
The author depicts a Utopia created by an all caring and all loving corporate / governmental elite. They have finally eliminated wars and hunger and unemployment. Unfortunately there are a small cadre of disreputables who always mess things up. Rather than harmonizing with obeying our elites they insist on demanding 'freedom' and the right to think for themselves. Long story short, the bad guys win. Terrible message for kids. Now go forth and beat up an election deniers. Democracy depends upon it.
An utterly necessary listen!
psichick
In today's (2017) political climate & already exponential erosions and restrictions of our Freedom in the United States since the past presidential administration, this story is one not only necessary to hear but also to take advice from on restoring the Bill of Rights in full, without restrictions of any kind for any reasons whatsoever. (Without the Sci-Fi elements, of course, though wouldn't that be fun?)
Excellent as always.
Amber
Poul Anderson is one of the giants of sci-fi & his shorts are no exception. In a style reminiscent of Heinlein he explores the important issues we face in all aspects of our human experience. This story had the ring of Orwellian 1984 with Heinlein thrown in for good measure.
Awesome story
mikezane
This is another 'big brother' type of story where people sacrifice creativity for safety. The story is predictable to an extent, but listen for the neat plot twist at the end, it is a mouth dropper! :-) Reader is always excellent. Thanks Gregg!