cultural-destruction
The aliens have destroyed many human ruins and cultural artifacts, intending to erase history to enable a new beginning for humanity.
2 chapters across 2 books
Lilith's Brood (1989)Octavia E. Butler
Lilith is introduced to the living ship, a symbiotic organism that serves as both habitat and protector for her and her alien captors. She confronts her fear of the alien environment and learns about the altered Earth, the genetic modifications made to her, and the difficult task ahead of teaching humans to survive in a changed world without reliance on machines. The chapter explores the complex relationship between the aliens and the ship, the destruction of human cultural remnants, and the challenges of adapting to a new existence.
Clock of the Long Now: Time and Responsibility (1999)Stewart Brand
Chapter 12, "Burning Libraries," explores the historical and symbolic significance of the destruction of knowledge repositories, focusing on the Library of Alexandria and other notable instances of book burnings throughout history. It examines motivations behind such acts, ranging from ideological control by emperors and regimes to cultural and political conflicts, highlighting the loss of cultural memory and the impact on civilizations. The chapter also references modern examples, such as the targeting of Sarajevo's National and University Library, to illustrate the ongoing vulnerability of knowledge institutions in times of conflict.