Corey is a man in a box. Or at least that is how others on the Orb see him. Sexless, formless, he exists in a steel housing. He can roll himself around on his wheels, he can speak, and he can access the space station’s computer systems. Yet, while his origin and form distance himself from others, he sees himself as a superior example of humanity. As events unfold in section four of If the Stars are Gods by Dr. Gregory Benford and Gordon Eklund, he demonstrates how his uniqueness enables him to accomplish feats beyond the ability of a normal man or woman.
Corey describes himself as a failed government experiment. He was biologically engineered by scientists to enable him to communicate with dolphins and whales. Yet those intelligent denizens of the sea had surprisingly little to say that humans found of worth. Now he lives on the Orb, part of Bradley Reynolds’ team focused on solving the Alpha Libra puzzle. Regarded as an oddity (if not with suspicion and revulsion), he exists in a continuum not of his making. Like the blind or the deaf, he perceives the outside world in a manner different from that of his crew members.
While others in his situation might long for a normal body (and a normal life), Corey revels in his uniqueness. Far from feeling dependent and handicapped, he views himself as freed from the demands of the flesh. He regards normal humans as flawed, dependent upon their bodies’ emotions and physical capabilities. As he receives all necessary nutrients from a package plugged into his box, for example, he need not dilute the focus of meal-time conversations by physically consuming food. While others are preoccupied by the sensory responses that food and drink naturally generate, he focuses solely upon the discussion. Mealtime conversations often concern aspects of the Alpha Libra puzzle, and the nature of the aliens who sent it. Unlike normal humans, his experience talking with dolphins and whales has taught him to think in a less rigid and concrete manner. He believes that this ability will ultimately prove crucial in deciphering the aliens’ message to humanity.
Despite the isolation of his existence and the uniqueness of his mental processes, there is one person he cares about: Mara, the augmented woman who manipulates others to attain her desires. He looks forward to their discussions and their chess games. When Mara’s research leads her to believe that she must pilot a ship into the dangerous atmosphere of Jupiter, Corey insists that Bradley send him instead. There is an irony in Corey’s decision to undertake such a dangerous mission. For it is the rest of humanity, those constrained and limited by the flesh, who would ultimately benefit, should his risky venture lead to the deciphering of the alien message.
Our appearance may not incite suspicion and loathing from our fellow humans. We may not be physically handicapped due to birth or accident. But all of us are unique individuals. We perceive and interact with the world in a way different from everyone else. We are all Corey. Instead of wasting time wishing for normalcy, what great achievements await those who explore and utilize their unique talents and abilities?
Corey describes himself as a failed government experiment. He was biologically engineered by scientists to enable him to communicate with dolphins and whales. Yet those intelligent denizens of the sea had surprisingly little to say that humans found of worth. Now he lives on the Orb, part of Bradley Reynolds’ team focused on solving the Alpha Libra puzzle. Regarded as an oddity (if not with suspicion and revulsion), he exists in a continuum not of his making. Like the blind or the deaf, he perceives the outside world in a manner different from that of his crew members.
While others in his situation might long for a normal body (and a normal life), Corey revels in his uniqueness. Far from feeling dependent and handicapped, he views himself as freed from the demands of the flesh. He regards normal humans as flawed, dependent upon their bodies’ emotions and physical capabilities. As he receives all necessary nutrients from a package plugged into his box, for example, he need not dilute the focus of meal-time conversations by physically consuming food. While others are preoccupied by the sensory responses that food and drink naturally generate, he focuses solely upon the discussion. Mealtime conversations often concern aspects of the Alpha Libra puzzle, and the nature of the aliens who sent it. Unlike normal humans, his experience talking with dolphins and whales has taught him to think in a less rigid and concrete manner. He believes that this ability will ultimately prove crucial in deciphering the aliens’ message to humanity.
Despite the isolation of his existence and the uniqueness of his mental processes, there is one person he cares about: Mara, the augmented woman who manipulates others to attain her desires. He looks forward to their discussions and their chess games. When Mara’s research leads her to believe that she must pilot a ship into the dangerous atmosphere of Jupiter, Corey insists that Bradley send him instead. There is an irony in Corey’s decision to undertake such a dangerous mission. For it is the rest of humanity, those constrained and limited by the flesh, who would ultimately benefit, should his risky venture lead to the deciphering of the alien message.
Our appearance may not incite suspicion and loathing from our fellow humans. We may not be physically handicapped due to birth or accident. But all of us are unique individuals. We perceive and interact with the world in a way different from everyone else. We are all Corey. Instead of wasting time wishing for normalcy, what great achievements await those who explore and utilize their unique talents and abilities?
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