Difference between revisions of "Uplift Universe"

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About

The Uplift Universe is a fictional universe created by science fiction writer David Brin. A central feature in this universe is the process of biological uplift.

His books which take place in this universe:

Sundiver (1980)
Startide Rising (1983) - Nebula Award winner, 1983; Hugo and Locus Awards winner, 1984
The Uplift War (1987) - Nebula Nominee, 1987; Hugo and Locus Awards winner, 1988
The Uplift Storm Trilogy
- Brightness Reef (1995) - Hugo and Locus Awards nominee, 1996
- Infinity's Shore (1996)
- Heaven's Reach (1998)

There is also a short story Aficionado (originally titled Life in the Extreme), published in 1998 and a novella Temptation published in 1999 in Far Horizons, which are set in the same background. Brin also wrote Contacting Aliens: An Illustrated Guide To David Brin's Uplift Universe which is a fictional guidebook about the background of the series.

GURPS Uplift is a sourcebook for a science fiction themed role-playing game based on the Uplift Universe.

Setting

In the Uplift universe an intergalactic civilization called the Five Galaxies, comprising a multitude of sentient races, has existed for billions of years. This civilization is perpetuated by the act of Uplift, in which a "patron" species genetically modifies a non-sapient "client" species until it is sapient. The client species is typically indentured to its patron species for 100,000 years. A patron species gains considerable status, and patrons and clients often unite into powerful clans. Patron status can be lost due to extermination, or gross crimes against the galactic civilization.

It is generally accepted in this universe that the process of Uplift was initiated at least one billion years ago by a species known only as the Progenitors. Humanity is therefore a rare anomaly – a species with no apparent patron race. Whether humanity truly evolved independently, or whether it was criminally abandoned by an unknown patron early in its uplift, is a topic of fierce debate. Most of humanity believes itself to be a wolfling species that emerged into sapiency solely through natural evolution, without genetic manipulation of a patron species. This belief is considered heresy and ridiculous by most of the galactic civilization and has made most of the galactic powers enemies of EarthClan. The fact that Humanity had already uplifted two species (chimpanzees and bottlenose dolphins) when it encountered the galactic civilization gave Humanity patron status, which is one of the few lucky turns it has had in its difficult position as pariah in the galactic civilization. This saved humanity from the likely fate of becoming client to another race through forced adoption or being exterminated for the environmental damage done to the Earth and its native species.

Humanity and its clients are collectively known as EarthClan. In contrast to most SF universes, humanity in the Uplift universe is not a dominant nor a technologically advanced species – it is centuries, even millennia, behind the great galactic powers and has several enemies capable of exterminating mankind.

The civilization of the Five Galaxies has several Institutes which are bureaucracies that specify how species deal with each other and the uplift process. One of the most significant of these is the Library Institute, which is the repository of all knowledge. Humanity prides itself on using the Library as little as possible. For instance, instead of drawing upon the highly refined starship designs available in the Library, humanity tends to develop its own (generally vastly inferior) vessels. Humans generally feel that this is a way to exercise their own independence and creativity, and it occasionally allows them to find solutions to problems which surprise more powerful races.

The Institute of Migration determines what planets can be colonized and under what environmental restrictions primarily to ensure that suitable races can still evolve for later Uplift. The Institute also ensures the separation of the hydrogen-breathing and oxygen-breathing orders of sentient life. Other intergalactic institutes regulate the uplift of sentient species, navigation, warfare, etc. Bureaucrats are recruited from all races but are expected to put the interests of their bureau before that of their race and maintain strict neutrality; however, this does not always happen.

The civilization of the Five Galaxies is made up of oxygen-breathing species. This oxygen-breathing civilization is aware of, but by tradition rarely interacts with, the other orders of sapient life, which include hydrogen-breathing, transcendent, mechanical, memetic, and quantum. There is also a designation for Hypothetical orders of life which could also exist.

Plot outline and major themes

Ecology and stewardship of genetic diversity are major themes in the Uplift books. Religious orthodoxy and the behavior of static societies are also themes.

The first book in the Uplift series, Sundiver (1980), is essentially a detective story and occurs only decades after humanity's first contact with the Five Galaxies. In this story mankind discovers the sun's inhabitants and a plot to overthrow a patron race. This is the only novel to directly involve Earth.

The second book, Startide Rising (1983), occurs centuries later. It follows the Earthclan space ship Streaker (crewed by uplifted dolphins and their human patrons) which has discovered a colossal derelict fleet. The Streaker is pursued as rumors spread throughout the Five Galaxies that Streaker has found the remains of the Progenitors.

The third book, The Uplift War (1987), occurs around the same time as Startide Rising but in another part of the galaxy. An intergalactic war, sparked by the events of Startide Rising, results in a successful invasion of the Earthclan colony on the planet Garth, heavily populated by uplifted chimps. This book also introduces uplifted gorillas.

In 1995 Brightness Reef was published, the first book in a new Uplift trilogy. The "Uplift Storm" trilogy follows the survivors of the space ship Streaker as they continue to evade the various galactic powers. Along the way they encounter a hidden planet which has been inhabited by six races which have illegally settled and dropped out of the civilization of the Five Galaxies. They eventually make contact with the other orders of life.

The second and third books in the new Uplift trilogy are Infinity's Shore and Heaven's Reach.

The short story Aficionado or Life in the Extreme is set earliest of all the currently written work and gives an account of the early days of the human uplift program before Contact. The novella Temptation was set just after the ending of Heaven's Reach, and tells what happened to some of the characters from the trilogy after the main story ended.

Timeline

Below is a summarized Gregorian Calendar timeline for events detailed in the Uplift Universe (from GURPS Uplift):

Date	Event
2212	Contact with Galactic Civilization.
2246	Sundiver Incident.
2489	Events of Startide Rising.

External links

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-The '''Uplift Universe''' is a [[fictional universe]] created by [[Science fiction]] writer [[David Brin]].
+{{notice/imported/wikipedia|<br>It was suggested that the Wikipedia article was slated for deletion,<br>but this has turned out not to be the case.}}
+==About==
+The '''Uplift Universe''' is a [[fictional universe]] created by [[science fiction]] writer [[David Brin]]. A central feature in this universe is the process of [[biological uplift]].
 His books which take place in this universe:
-The first Uplift Trilogy
+* ''[[Sundiver]]'' (1980)
-* [[Sundiver]] ([[1980]])
+* ''[[Startide Rising]]'' (1983) - Nebula Award '''winner''', [http://www.worldswithoutend.com/books_year_index.asp?year=1983 1983]; Hugo and Locus Awards '''winner''', [http://www.worldswithoutend.com/books_year_index.asp?year=1984 1984]
-* [[Startide Rising]] ([[1983]])
+* ''[[The Uplift War]]'' (1987) - Nebula Nominee, [http://www.worldswithoutend.com/books_year_index.asp?year=1987 1987]; Hugo and Locus Awards '''winner''', [http://www.worldswithoutend.com/books_year_index.asp?year=1988 1988]
-* [[The Uplift War]] ([[1987]])
+* The Uplift Storm Trilogy
-The second Uplift Trilogy
+** ''[[Brightness Reef]]'' (1995) - Hugo and Locus Awards nominee, [http://www.worldswithoutend.com/books_year_index.asp?year=1996 1996]
-* [[Brightness Reef]] ([[1995]])
+** ''[[Infinity's Shore]]'' (1996)
-* [[Infinity's Shore]] ([[1996]])
+** ''[[Heaven's Reach]]'' (1998)
-* [[Heaven's Reach]] ([[1998]])
+There is also a short story ''[http://www.davidbrin.com/aficionado1.html Aficionado]'' (originally titled ''Life in the Extreme''), published in 1998 and a novella ''[http://www.davidbrin.com/temptation1.html Temptation]'' published in 1999 in ''[[Far Horizons]]'', which are set in the same background. Brin also wrote ''Contacting Aliens: An Illustrated Guide To David Brin's Uplift Universe'' which is a fictional guidebook about the background of the series.
+''[[List of GURPS books|GURPS Uplift]]'' is a [[sourcebook]] for a [[science fiction]] themed [[role-playing game]] based on the Uplift Universe.
-{{spoilers}}
+== Setting ==
-In this universe, a [[galaxy|galactic]] [[civilization]] with thousands of [[planet]]s has existed for millions of years. This
+In the Uplift universe an intergalactic civilization called the Five Galaxies, comprising a multitude of sentient races, has existed for billions of years. This civilization is perpetuated by the act of [[Biological uplift|''Uplift'']], in which a "patron" species [[genetics|genetic]]ally modifies a non-[[sapience|sapient]] "client" species until it is sapient. The client species is typically [[indentured servant|indentured]] to its patron species for 100,000 years. A patron species gains considerable status, and patrons and clients often unite into powerful [[clan]]s. Patron status can be lost due to extermination, or gross crimes against the galactic civilization.
-civilization is perpetuated by the act of ''Uplift'', in which one sapient [[species]] [[genetic]]ally modifies a non-sapient
-species until it is sapient. When the modified species gains sapiency, the two species normally enter a master and
-[[indentured servant]] relationship, where the modified species serves the modifier species for millennia in
-''gratitude'' for the modification. The modified species is known as a [[client]] of the modifier species, which is
-known as the [[patron]] species. Through the history of this universe, most sapient species belong to [[clans]] in
-which they can trace their genetic heritage of clientship to patron species. At the start of the Uplift books,
-[[humanity]] has already uplifted two species - [[chimpanzees]] and bottle-nosed [[dolphins]] and has started the
-uplift of other terran animals. Humanity with its clients is known as Earthclan.
-Unlike most SF universes, humanity does not possess advanced [[technology]] in this galactic civilization. Though
+It is generally accepted in this universe that the process of Uplift was initiated at least one billion years ago by a species known only as the Progenitors. Humanity is therefore a rare anomaly &ndash; a species with no apparent patron race. Whether humanity truly evolved independently, or whether it was criminally abandoned by an unknown patron early in its uplift, is a topic of fierce debate. Most of humanity believes itself to be a ''wolfling'' species that emerged into sapiency solely through natural [[evolution]], without genetic manipulation of a patron species. This belief is considered heresy and ridiculous by most of the galactic civilization and has made most of the galactic powers enemies of [[EarthClan]]. The fact that Humanity had already uplifted two species ([[chimpanzee]]s and [[bottlenose dolphin]]s) when it encountered the galactic civilization gave Humanity patron status, which is one of the few lucky turns it has had in its difficult position as pariah in the galactic civilization. This saved humanity from the likely fate of becoming client to another race through forced adoption or being exterminated for the environmental damage done to the Earth and its native species.
-humanity is a space-faring species, it is several centuries behind in technology to the major galactic powers.
-Mankinds' position is made much more precarious by the fact that humanity has no known patron species. Most of
-humanity believes itself to be a ''wolfling'' species that emerged into sapiency solely through natural [[evolution]],
-without genetic manipulation of a patron species. This belief is considered [[heresy]] and ridiculous by most of the
-galactic civilization and has made most of the galactic powers to be enemies of Earthclan. The fact that Humanity
-had already uplifted two species when it encountered the galactic civilization, gave Humanity patron status, which
-is one of the few lucky turns it has had in its difficult position as [[pariah]] in the galactic civilization.
-The tradition of uplift is attributed to the ''Progenitors'', the first sapient species in the universe. This species has
+Humanity and its clients are collectively known as [[EarthClan]]. In contrast to most SF universes, humanity in the Uplift universe is not a dominant nor a technologically advanced species &ndash; it is centuries, even millennia, behind the great galactic powers and has several enemies capable of exterminating mankind.
-disappeared into legend millions of years ago. Several galactic [[religion]]s have grown up around the meaning and
-purpose of uplift and the intent of the ''Progenitors''. Some of the most powerful galactic clans are fervent followers of
-these religions and the religious competition between them has been the source and excuse for much of galactic warfare.
-The galactic civilization has several [[Bureaucracy|bureaucracies]] that are tasked with specifying how species deal with each
+The civilization of the Five Galaxies has several ''Institutes'' which are [[Bureaucracy|bureaucracies]] that specify how species deal with each other and the uplift process. One of the most significant of these is the ''Library Institute'', which is the repository of all knowledge. Humanity prides itself on using the Library as little as possible. For instance, instead of drawing upon the highly refined starship designs available in the Library, humanity tends to develop its own (generally vastly inferior) vessels. Humans generally feel that this is a way to exercise their own independence and creativity, and it occasionally allows them to find solutions to problems which surprise more powerful races.
-other and the uplift process. One of the most widely used organization is the ''Galactic Library'', which is the
-repository of all knowledge gathered from all of the galactic space-faring species. The origin of the [[library]] is
-another long lost mystery. The vastness and age of the knowledge held by the library has made it into something of
-an [[oracle]] among the galactic clans.
-The galactic civilization is made up of mostly [[oxygen]]-breathing species. This oxygen-breathing civilization has
+The ''Institute of Migration'' determines what planets can be colonized and under what environmental restrictions primarily to ensure that suitable races can still evolve for later Uplift. The Institute also ensures the separation of the hydrogen-breathing and oxygen-breathing orders of sentient life. Other intergalactic institutes regulate the uplift of sentient species, navigation, warfare, etc. Bureaucrats are recruited from all races but are expected to put the interests of their bureau before that of their race and maintain strict neutrality; however, this does not always happen.
-known about other orders of sapient life, which include [[hydrogen]]-breathing, [[transcendent]], [[mechanical]], [[memetic]],
-[[quantum]].
-In the first trilogy, the first book is a [[detective]] story which gives an introduction to this universe. The second book is about an Earthclan space ship (crewed by uplifted dolphins and their human mentors) which finds a colossal and hidden derelict fleet. Rumors spread throughout the galaxy that this ship has found the remains of the ''Progenitors''. The third book gives a local account of the galactic [[war]] that ensues with viewpoints coming from some uplifted chimps.
+The civilization of the Five Galaxies is made up of [[oxygen]]-breathing species. This oxygen-breathing civilization is aware of, but by tradition rarely interacts with, the  other orders of sapient life, which include [[hydrogen]]-breathing, [[Transcendentalism|transcendent]], mechanical, [[memetic]], and [[quantum]]. There is also a designation for Hypothetical orders of life which could also exist.
-In the second trilogy, survivors of that space ship continue to evade the various galactic powers and along the way encounter a
+== Plot outline and major themes==
-hidden planet where the inhabitants have avoided most of the uplift schisms which plague the galactic civilization. They eventually make contact with the other orders of life.
-[[Ecology]] and stewardship of [[genetic diversity]] are major themes in these books. Religious [[orthodoxy]] and the behavior of static societies are also themes.
+[[Ecology]] and stewardship of [[genetic diversity]] are major themes in the Uplift books. Religious [[orthodoxy]] and the behavior of static societies are also themes.
+The first book in the Uplift series, ''Sundiver'' (1980), is essentially a [[Detective fiction|detective story]] and occurs only decades after humanity's first contact with the Five Galaxies. In this story mankind discovers the sun's inhabitants and a plot to overthrow a patron race. This is the only novel to directly involve Earth.
-[[Category:Fictional universes]]
+The second book, ''Startide Rising'' (1983), occurs centuries later. It follows the Earthclan space ship ''[[Streaker (David Brin)|Streaker]]'' (crewed by uplifted dolphins and their human patrons) which has discovered a colossal derelict fleet. The ''Streaker'' is pursued as rumors spread throughout the Five Galaxies that ''Streaker'' has found the remains of the Progenitors.
-[[Category:Series of books]]
+The third book, ''The Uplift War'' (1987), occurs around the same time as ''Startide Rising'' but in another part of the galaxy. An intergalactic war, sparked by the events of ''Startide Rising'', results in a successful invasion of the Earthclan colony on the planet [[Garth (planet)|Garth]], heavily populated by uplifted chimps. This book also introduces uplifted gorillas.
+In 1995 ''Brightness Reef'' was published, the first book in a new Uplift trilogy. The "Uplift Storm" trilogy follows the survivors of the space ship ''Streaker'' as they continue to evade the various galactic powers. Along the way they encounter a [[Jijo (planet)|hidden planet]] which has been inhabited by six races which have illegally settled and dropped out of the civilization of the Five Galaxies. They eventually make contact with the other orders of life.
+The second and third books in the new Uplift trilogy are ''Infinity's Shore'' and ''Heaven's Reach''.
+The short story ''Aficionado'' or ''Life in the Extreme'' is set earliest of all the currently written work and gives an account of the early days of the human uplift program before Contact. The novella ''Temptation'' was set just after the ending of ''Heaven's Reach'', and tells what happened to some of the characters from the trilogy after the main story ended.
+== Timeline ==
+Below is a summarized Gregorian Calendar timeline for events detailed in the Uplift Universe (from [[GURPS Uplift]]):
+{| class="wikitable" align="center"
+|- bgcolor="#CCCCCC"
+| align="center"| '''Date''' || align="center"|  '''Event'''
+|-
+|2212 ||Contact with Galactic Civilization.
+|-
+|2246 ||[[Sundiver]] Incident.
+|-
+|2489 ||Events of [[Startide Rising]].
+|}
+==External links==
+*[http://www.davidbrin.com/upliftbooks.html Brin official site]
+*[http://www.geocities.com/allianceforprogress Alliance for Progress Encyclopedia, encyclopedia of the Uplift Universe]
+[[Category:David Brin]]
+[[Category:Space opera]]