social-interaction
Holsten's initial reluctance to engage with the crowd reveals the human need for social connection, even among those who consider themselves loners.
2 chapters across 2 books
Children of Time (2015)Adrian Tchaikovsky
In this chapter, Holsten attends a presentation by Vitas regarding the planet they are orbiting, which reveals that it is covered by a pervasive fungal organism that complicates their potential for colonization. Vitas emphasizes the challenges posed by the planet's low oxygen levels and the need for further investigation of the abandoned terraforming project, while Guyen shifts focus to the importance of salvaging technology from the nearby station.
The Wanderer (1965)Fritz Leiber
In this chapter, the characters experience the surreal and overwhelming presence of the Wanderer, a mysterious new planet appearing unusually close to the moon, causing widespread public fascination and scientific speculation. Don Merriam attempts a risky maneuver aboard the Baba Yaga spacecraft near the moon but loses consciousness, while other characters observe and interpret the celestial phenomena with a mix of awe, humor, and scientific curiosity. The narrative blends human reactions, technical details, and social dynamics against the backdrop of this unprecedented astronomical event.