I meant to ask this in the Eyes of Amber entry

[james_davis_nicoll]

Why is so much SF concerned with resource extraction?

Comments

[nihilistic-kid.livejournal.com]

So that sequels may be about inventory management.

[james-nicoll.livejournal.com]

I would kill for a good story about inventory management. In fact, the bits I liked most about Sandra McDonald's debut novel was the quartermaster corps stuff.

[nihilistic-kid.livejournal.com]

Way back in 2002, I met Sandra at a workshop. She showed us her first chapter (different than what was ultimately published) and I remarked back then, "Wow, this is one inventory-obsessed society you have here!"

[james-nicoll.livejournal.com]

The history of inventory is the history of civilization!

[movingfinger.livejournal.com]

Nothing can be more gripping than the fundamental conflict between FIFO and LIFO!

[galbinus-caeli.livejournal.com]

Did you have to bring porn into the discussion?

[anton-p-nym.livejournal.com]

The history of inventory is the history of civilization!

Was it Linear A that was eventually interpreted thanks to what turned out to be laundry lists?

-- Steve's wondering if there might be a story in aliens finally cracking English thanks to all the bills of lading they unearth. (Probably not as good a one as "Omnilingual", though.)

[chaotic-nipple.livejournal.com]

Linear B, IIRC, and it was merchant inventories.

[maruad.livejournal.com]

I think every MMORPG has had a significant inventory management mini-game built and in ever case, not as an advertised feature.

[maruad.livejournal.com]

errr.... should read "mini-game built in".

[llennhoff.livejournal.com]

David's Sling has an amazing production scene which details how all the automated maufacturing and supply chain stuff switches on a dime to produce the save-the-day widget.

[james-nicoll.livejournal.com]

This reminds me of a novel from the 1980s or 1970s which begins with a detailed description of all the unlikely events leading up to a catastrophic accident. Unfortunately the rest of the book was not as interesting. I wonder what the book was?

All I recall is that FTL only worked in a giant loop, so you could go A>B but not B>A. I think.

[galbinus-caeli.livejournal.com]

Then conquest and eventually you build a spaceship and fly to Alpha Centauri?