[kbenson]

> I didn't get that from it at all. The theme of the last book is a conflict between values and survival. What's the point of survival if you sacrifice all values to do so?

That always seemed like a trite argument of those who want to justify their own behavior, and is a cop out in a story.

The point of survival is that values change, and can return, but survival is absolute. You fight until there is no other option, then you surrender with the hope that hat you can work towards that goal again in the future.

Similarly, the correct choice between slavery and death is slavery, as slavery contains the chance of freedom but death does not. That's not to say the correct choice between slavery and a chance of death is the same thing. But people like to speak in absolutes without this nuance in a way that leads to interesting thought patterns in others that hear it and parrot it.

[free_rms]

I don't know if you read the books but there are some pretty severe consequences.

[kbenson]

Oh, I've read the first two, I was responding to that statement as it's usually applied in conversation or argument. The discussion and exploration of it is worthwhile. It's common use as a "call to arms" less so.

[free_rms]

The third book is good, almost as good as the second imo. Manages to become completely insane while still feeling believable at each step.

[kbenson]

It's on my TODO list, I just had a bunch of stuff jump in front of it. I thoroughly enjoyed the first and second books. :)