Moving Mars Summary
Greg Bear

Moving Mars Summary

Casseia is engaged in a maturation process that is inseparable from the political coming-of-age of Mars, and thus she represents themes tied to human values, identity and destiny.

Responses to and uses of technology by individuals and societies on both Mars and Earth are important aspects of Casseia's story. Human adaptability in the face of alienation and change is illustrated by the fairly comfortable lifestyle on Mars, despite a natural outdoor environment characterized by low temperatures, thin atmosphere, and high radiation levels. Martians spend most of their lives in pressurized underground warrens, emerging only when clothed in protective outfits.

Martians have embraced other technology besides that of artificial habitats. Genetic engineering produces physical attractiveness in people. Robots, called arbeiters, perform most chores. "LitVids" provide information and communication. Scheduled spaceships travel between Mars, Earth and Earth's Moon. Self-aware artificial intelligences exist to augment humankind's thinking power — addressing the...

(read more from the Short Guide)