Which means that people have plenty of opportunity to bump into each other, physically and mentally, and be insulted or offended. Naturally, the world is packed end to end with the resulting mass of bored humanity. Nobody wants for anything and nobody has to work – or do anything they don’t want to. Most humans in this society are what we’d call “supermen,” they’re physically perfect and mentally gifted. Genetic modification of human beings is the norm (in fact, “natural” or unmodified human beings are so rare, they are a endangered and protected species). All the problems plaguing mankind have been beaten, hunger, poverty, disease, conflict, old age, and even death from natural causes in large part, are all relics of the past. Horizon describes what’s nowadays typically referred to as a “post-scarcity” utopia. He created a “politely” armed society for his 1948 novel, Beyond This Horizon (first printed 1942 as a two part serial in the pulp magazine Astounding Science Fiction).Īnd in Heinlein’s case, “polite” is subject to broad interpretation. You could say that in certain circles, he’s somewhat known for it. That’s what he did, you know, he wrote science fiction. You see, when Robert Anson Heinlein wrote that line, “an armed society is a polite society,” it was in the context of a fictional story. And really, listen, I hate to be a wet blanket, and I’m as big of Heinlein fan as anybody, but I’m going to have to call Shenanigans on that one right up front. But he’s the guy who said it, that bit about an armed society, the idea you’re quoting out of context. I said, ah, so you’re a Heinlein fan then? Manners are good when one may have to back up his acts with his life. However, when one of these scientists seeks him out, inquiring when he plans to continue his line, he finds himself drawn into an adventure which not only gives him purpose but convinces him that his society is worth saving after all.An armed society is a polite society. But he finds his life and the society he lives in-to be enjoyable but meaningless. Felix possesses a superhuman physique, an intellect to match it, and can expect to live centuries without any form of medical assistance. The story’s protagonist, Felix Hamilton is the archetypal superman. Many people use lower quality goods as status symbols. The chief economic problem is in fact using up the economic surplus: many high‐quality goods actually cost less than those of lower quality. The novel depicts a world that has become an economic utopia the “economic dividend” is so high that work has become optional. It was originally published as a two‐part serial in “ Astounding Science‐Fiction” April and May issues of 1942, under the pseudonym Anson MacDonald and then as a single volume by “ Fantasy Press” in 1948. “Beyond This Horizon” is a science fiction novel by Robert A.

Heinlein beyond this horizon