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cosmic-scale

The immense scale of the galaxy and universe is presented to emphasize humanity's smallness and unpreparedness for space exploration.

1 chapter across 1 book

Childhood’s End (1953)Arthur C. Clarke

Chapter 19

In this chapter, Karellen, the Overlord Supervisor, addresses a crowded press conference to announce the discovery of a stowaway, Jan Rodricks, who secretly left Earth on an Overlord ship. Karellen explains the rationale behind restricting humanity's access to space, emphasizing humanity's current incapacity to handle the vastness and dangers of the universe, and asserts that while humans may one day colonize planets, the stars themselves are beyond their reach. The chapter closes with Karellen reflecting on the impending end of humanity's Golden Age under Overlord guidance.