Difference between revisions of "Uplift Universe"
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| − | {{ | + | {{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]]. | 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: | His books which take place in this universe: | ||
| − | * ''[[Sundiver]]'' ( | + | * ''[[Sundiver]]'' (1980) |
| − | * ''[[Startide Rising]]'' ([ | + | * ''[[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] |
| − | * ''[[The Uplift War]]'' ([ | + | * ''[[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 Storm Trilogy | * The Uplift Storm Trilogy | ||
| − | ** ''[[Brightness Reef]]'' ([ | + | ** ''[[Brightness Reef]]'' (1995) - Hugo and Locus Awards nominee, [http://www.worldswithoutend.com/books_year_index.asp?year=1996 1996] |
| − | ** ''[[Infinity's Shore]]'' ( | + | ** ''[[Infinity's Shore]]'' (1996) |
| − | ** ''[[Heaven's Reach]]'' ( | + | ** ''[[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]]'' | + | 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. |
| − | ''[[GURPS Uplift]]'' is a [[sourcebook]] for a [[science fiction]] themed [[role-playing game]] based on the Uplift Universe. | + | ''[[List of GURPS books|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 | + | 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. |
| − | It is generally accepted in this universe that the process of Uplift was initiated at least one billion years ago by a species known as the Progenitors. Humanity is therefore a rare anomaly | + | 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 ([[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 and its clients are collectively known as | + | 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 [[Bureaucracy|bureaucracies]] that | + | 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 intergalactic | + | 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 | + | 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. |
| − | == | + | == 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. | [[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. | |
| − | 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. | ||
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. | 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. | ||
| − | 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'' | + | 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]] | + | 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 | + | 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. | |
| − | == External links == | + | |- |
| + | |2489 ||Events of [[Startide Rising]]. | ||
| + | |} | ||
| + | ==External links== | ||
*[http://www.davidbrin.com/upliftbooks.html Brin official site] | *[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:David Brin | ||
[[Category:Space opera]] | [[Category:Space opera]] | ||
| − | |||
| − | |||
Latest revision as of 13:54, 5 January 2010
| This article was created with material imported from Wikipedia. It was suggested that the Wikipedia article was slated for deletion, 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:
- 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. |