BFC 11: The Shape of Things to Come (spoilers)

This was brilliant probably my favorite of the Wells releases so far (and this is saying something because I quite loved the previous 2 HG Wells releases)

I find HG Wells world view interesting although ultimately I strongly disagree with it. I did want to read the novel to see if there were things I missed which I know there was just to get a clearer picture of his world view. Whether I disagree or not it's still pretty fascinating.

Although I found the framing device & ending (which was not in the original novel correct?) what made this really compelling drama. So would you destroy the present for a perfect future? I honestly think he made the wrong decision. Of course the future is important. It's why I believe we should protect the environment for example. Of course we don't really see this future he ultimately sees. But I don't believe that it was right to make people in the present suffer for the future. Of course I am never for the idea of destroying society so it can rebuild itself into something better. Besides even if his extreme action will cause history to remain on course for this perfect future how does he know someone else won't put it off course again?

Okay I love audios that make me think and debate in my head and this one certainly did. Just Brilliant! Also I loved the music in this. I keep listening to it over and over again.

Hello!

Right then, firstly, I'm terribly pleased you all seemed to enjoy it. Mad fools.

Secondly, I'm terribly glad the ending made people think. It is the element of the adaptation I'm particularly proud of precisely because it is such an uncomfortable and contentious way to to twist the story.

As for number13's question over the ambiguity of the ending: I don't believe Raven was duped. My intention -- and perhaps it wasn't clear -- was to suggest Raven had spent quite a bit of time there in the future, I just didn't show it. There's a reason for that: Utopia's are subjective. I'd already fed in a fair chunk of Well's in the description of the place (the way residents are encouraged towards work that matches their skills and the crime statistics) but there was no satisfactory way, to my mind, to bring a truly all-encompassing paradise to audio within a short scene. My idea of perfection may not have been anyone else's ("I can't believe it! The Macra Terror was never wiped and gin comes out of the taps!") So I simply cut away and let Raven's reactions sell it (when he returns to his plane it's as if he's been torn away from Heaven, he can't believe he had to leave "We gave you as much time as we could," Jane tells him.) And then I intentionally give him a grotty return. A world that is recognisably ours but with a constant nudge towards the negative. How can he be expected to accept a world like this?

So he goes to the meeting. He makes his decision and then he acts.

That final sound of the case opening may be the most pleasing SFX I've ever typed. It's such a good place to finish!

But yes, he does it. He kills them. Because he thinks it's the right thing to do.

Was he right? Of course not. Not outside the limited, cold, restraints of a thought experiment. As a philosophical discussion, we could wrangle the numbers all day long, if you knew, absolutely KNEW that your bad action now would create perfection for the future. X Deaths today to save XXXXX tomorrow. Then... well, life isn't a mathematical equation so, in the real world, that question is not one we should ever hope to face. Besides, our world is full of people killing others because they know, absolutely KNOW, it's the right thing to do. They're called suicide bombers. And that was exactly what I wanted to reference. Our hero, a man we have hopefully grown to sympathise and respect becomes one of our many modern nightmares. 

As for whether Wells vision of the future could really be classed a utopia... Well, I have some sympathy for it. But of course it's naive. A worldwide state would be no bad thing in many ways. An end to geopolitical arguments, segregation, war (one would hardly send the missiles flying when aiming at another part of yourself). I have no problem with the idea of the whole human race living as one. In fact I would adore it. But it rather depends on the state of each individual as to whether the whole would be worthy. Frankly, as above, it's a thought experiment, in the real world, the lengths you would have to go to achieve such a thing would be monstrous. 

An end to religion? Well, I will confess I over-egged Jane's dialogue there. It's mine and not Wells'. But Raven is the voice of my own liberal conscience, throughout. I am not a fan of religion. I respect each person's right to their beliefs as long as they do not infringe ANYONE else's. That, to me, is the simple rule to all belief. Adopt whatever faith, whatever principle, whatever framework, helps you make sense of the universe. It is as true as anyone else's because reality is subjective. The minute you extend that belief to impinge on the beliefs of others... I struggle with you. 

I wonder if I'll ever type such a long bloody post again? Will discussion of UNIT: ASSEMBLED see us tackle such ponderous themes? Depends if you get me on the subject of animal rights and ecology (I'm with Jo Jones).

But thank you! I'm glad it got people thinking and discussing, it's just the most rewarding thing.

Gx

As you say, a truly United Nations would be the thing to aim for. But... yes. It seems unfeasible doesn't it?

And Jo and I would gang up against your omnivore ways. We are both devote consumers of the mushroom!

(I never mind answering questions about anything, creating work in a vacuum is dull.)

Another thing to think about it how history would have gone without Jane's intervention. Would it have evolved along a similar path, a better or a worse series of events and/or outcome? Is the whole thing a stable timeloop, where Jane's intervention in the past caused the world that produced her to exist at all?

Actually, that world sounds immensely boring to listen to.

I did say fake utopian world that is pretty much a dystopian. So people would only be happy on the surface. 

That being said Guy Adams said it wasn't actually fake.

Here's why I say Jane's future wasn't fake (aside from the fact that I'm in the fortunate position to be able to claim these things as Wells is now far too dead to argue): It makes it more interesting.

If Jane was just playing Raven, or if the 'perfection' of the future -- or the manipulation of the timelines -- was in any way negotiable then it blurs the central thing that most fascinated me. If you knew that carrying out an act of violence would guarantee a better future would you do it?

Not saying other reading of the situation aren't valid, of course they are, utterly valid. I just like that central, unbearable, decision!

I also like to assume that Jane is essentially good, a lovely decent woman that wants the world to be a better place. Because, again, that makes it all so much more conflicted. No villains here, just two good people, the interaction between which results in HORROR.

Well, yes, they don't have the right. Certainly.

But if you knew you could save the world? Would you ask yourself if you had the right? Or would you just act?

I like to think I know what I'd do. But if I was presented with facts I couldn't argue with and knew the decision lay in my hands... Well, I still like to think I wouldn't do it. Of course I do. But that squirming, unpleasant, uncertainty... That's sometimes where the best stories live! Especially when you stack the moral odds unfairly. A perfect future, a room full of bastards.

Obviously I'm being reductive. And playful to an extent, I certainly can't justify Raven's actions. But I can understand them.

Bloody good job neither he nor Jane exist really!

And thank YOU for responding to it so well.