It Could Happen Here CZM Book Club: Hermetica, by Alan Lea, Part Three
Aug 17, 2025
Dive into the whimsical side of sunbathing and the power of productivity with the ThinkPad X1 Carbon. Explore the gripping narrative of a generation ship grappling with disease and societal issues. Examine the complexities of pandemic responses amid rising extremism. Uncover NASA's Mars findings while navigating personal struggles and mental health challenges aboard the Hermetica. Meanwhile, vibrant discussions about basketball playoffs and technology updates add a splash of excitement to the mix!
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History Onboard Feels Unmoored
- Hermetica's backstory blends Terran history with shipboard events, creating chronological puzzles for residents.
- Days finds a 2023 Terran newspaper that contradicts the ship's recorded history, triggering doubt.
Cross-Check Strange Evidence
- Verify surprising archival finds against multiple sources before assuming sabotage or error.
- Days consults the ship's library and a friend to cross-check the strange newspaper.
Compartmentalized Knowledge Creates Gaps
- Hermetica's schematics and indexed history are heavily compartmentalized after a wiki disaster.
- Library data shows Terran history cuts off at 2022, deepening Days' confusion about the newspaper.
