Homo Sol
Encyclopedia
Homo Sol is a science fiction
short story
by Isaac Asimov
that was first published in the September 1940 issue of Astounding Science Fiction and reprinted in the 1972 collection The Early Asimov
. It deals with the proposed acceptance into a galactic federation of hominid civilizations of the hominids of newly discovered Earth
. (Each member civilization is referred to by a prefix denoting its shared "hominidity", followed by the name of its star — hence the title, Homo Sol.)
Together with its two sequels (The Imaginary and The Hazing
) which form a 'Homo Sol Trilogy', the story is primarily set in a university environment. Homo Sol was the nineteenth story written by Asimov, the eighth to be published, and the second to appear in Astounding, which was then the world's leading science fiction magazine.
The Solarians (meaning human
s, also referred to as Homo Sol) have developed hyperspace
travel and landed on a planet of Alpha Centauri
, thus qualifying for acceptance into the Galactic Federation of intelligent humanoid species.
Tan Porus, master psychologist at Arcturus University, is invited to join the delegation to be sent to administer the invitation, but sends one of his assistants. The delegation returns in despair; not only have the Solarians refused the invitation, but they exhibit irrational and war-like behavior that contravenes the sacrosanct psychological laws established over millennia by Federation psychologists.
In opposition to his doubting colleagues, Porus insists that the hominids of this new planet are something special: a species susceptible to panic en masse. "What of Kraut's Law," a colleague asks him, "which says it is impossible to panic more than five hominids at a time?" Porus dismisses this with scorn, manipulates the Federation Council into sending him to Earth to demonstrate his thesis, and in a short time broadcasts back the results of his demonstration: "Panic, morons! World-wide panic!" Porus is eventually able to work out the psychological means to convince the Solarians to accept membership in the Federation.
insisted on rewriting sections of Homo Sol to bring the story closer in line with his own racial views. In time, Asimov understood what Campbell was doing, and thereafter he avoided submitting stories with alien characters to Astounding. He also points out that in "Homo Sol" he first broached the concept of psychology being developed into a mathematically rigorous science, an idea he incorporated into his later Foundation stories
.
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
short story
Short story
A short story is a work of fiction that is usually written in prose, often in narrative format. This format tends to be more pointed than longer works of fiction, such as novellas and novels. Short story definitions based on length differ somewhat, even among professional writers, in part because...
by Isaac Asimov
Isaac Asimov
Isaac Asimov was an American author and professor of biochemistry at Boston University, best known for his works of science fiction and for his popular science books. Asimov was one of the most prolific writers of all time, having written or edited more than 500 books and an estimated 90,000...
that was first published in the September 1940 issue of Astounding Science Fiction and reprinted in the 1972 collection The Early Asimov
The Early Asimov
The Early Asimov or, Eleven Years of Trying is a 1972 collection of short stories by Isaac Asimov. Each story is accompanied by commentary by the author, who gives details about his life and his literary achievements in the period in which he wrote the story.-Contents:* "The Callistan Menace" *...
. It deals with the proposed acceptance into a galactic federation of hominid civilizations of the hominids of newly discovered Earth
Earth
Earth is the third planet from the Sun, and the densest and fifth-largest of the eight planets in the Solar System. It is also the largest of the Solar System's four terrestrial planets...
. (Each member civilization is referred to by a prefix denoting its shared "hominidity", followed by the name of its star — hence the title, Homo Sol.)
Together with its two sequels (The Imaginary and The Hazing
The Hazing
The Hazing is a science fiction short story by Isaac Asimov. It was first published in the October 1942 issue of Thrilling Wonder Stories and reprinted in the 1972 collection The Early Asimov...
) which form a 'Homo Sol Trilogy', the story is primarily set in a university environment. Homo Sol was the nineteenth story written by Asimov, the eighth to be published, and the second to appear in Astounding, which was then the world's leading science fiction magazine.
Plot summary
In the Homo Sol stories, the Galactic Federation has developed psychology into a hard science, with quantitative equations and solutions for behavior. Consequently, master psychologists are important and highly regarded.The Solarians (meaning human
Human
Humans are the only living species in the Homo genus...
s, also referred to as Homo Sol) have developed hyperspace
Hyperspace (science fiction)
Hyperspace is a plot device sometimes used in science fiction. It is typically described as an alternative region of space co-existing with our own universe which may be entered using an energy field or other device...
travel and landed on a planet of Alpha Centauri
Alpha Centauri
Alpha Centauri is the brightest star in the southern constellation of Centaurus...
, thus qualifying for acceptance into the Galactic Federation of intelligent humanoid species.
Tan Porus, master psychologist at Arcturus University, is invited to join the delegation to be sent to administer the invitation, but sends one of his assistants. The delegation returns in despair; not only have the Solarians refused the invitation, but they exhibit irrational and war-like behavior that contravenes the sacrosanct psychological laws established over millennia by Federation psychologists.
In opposition to his doubting colleagues, Porus insists that the hominids of this new planet are something special: a species susceptible to panic en masse. "What of Kraut's Law," a colleague asks him, "which says it is impossible to panic more than five hominids at a time?" Porus dismisses this with scorn, manipulates the Federation Council into sending him to Earth to demonstrate his thesis, and in a short time broadcasts back the results of his demonstration: "Panic, morons! World-wide panic!" Porus is eventually able to work out the psychological means to convince the Solarians to accept membership in the Federation.
Story notes
In The Early Asimov, the author notes that Astounding editor John W. CampbellJohn W. Campbell
John Wood Campbell, Jr. was an influential figure in American science fiction. As editor of Astounding Science Fiction , from late 1937 until his death, he is generally credited with shaping the so-called Golden Age of Science Fiction.Isaac Asimov called Campbell "the most powerful force in...
insisted on rewriting sections of Homo Sol to bring the story closer in line with his own racial views. In time, Asimov understood what Campbell was doing, and thereafter he avoided submitting stories with alien characters to Astounding. He also points out that in "Homo Sol" he first broached the concept of psychology being developed into a mathematically rigorous science, an idea he incorporated into his later Foundation stories
The Foundation Series
The Foundation Series is a science fiction series by Isaac Asimov. There are seven volumes in the Foundation Series proper, which in its in-universe chronological order are: Prelude to Foundation, Forward the Foundation, Foundation, Foundation and Empire, Second Foundation, Foundation's Edge, and...
.