Review::Anathem - Believing Part I

This is not so much a book review, but more of a reflection on the story of one of
the characters, and what it symbolizes. As Anathem is only the second Neal
Stephenson book I have read; the first being Cryptonomicon; I can only suggest
that this book and it’s characters represent an achieved style of drama, compared
to, say Cryptonomicon. It isn’t hysterically funny, and more poignantly, is not
the same kind of book. What it is though, is a sincere meditation on technology,
philosophy, the wonder of knowledge, and respect for the knowledge of others. The
difference between knowing something, and really believing it. Faith is hardly
exclusive to religion. That is where, this review begins.

The World of Anathem:

Thousands of years prior to the events in the novel, society was on the verge of
collapse due to unchecked technological development, especially in the areas of
genetic engineering and nuclear warfare. After much disaster, the solution was to
have two societies, and so it was for a few thousand years. One like ours, and the
other made up of the mathematicians and scientists, the intellectuals; those who
live to work things out on a chalk board, instead of using computers. These people
have chosen to live like this; to maintain great knowledge, and not be corrupted
by the influences and extravagances of the outside.

Communication does of course exist between each society, and there is a hierarchy
of persons to facilitate this on different levels. It serves the planet well to
have equilibrium in this way. Little technology allowed inside the Mathic society,
and there are rules, and violation of such rules result in one being thrown back
(expelled). Note also, that neither society is more inherently intelligent than
the other. Simply put, people have chosen their way of life.

The Story of Orolo (the cosmographer):

The thing most noteworthy of Orolo’s character, is that he was truly looked upon,
as not only an intellectual, but as a spiritual leader by many amongst his
students. He was special to them; he had something like that warm kind of respect
that you get from people who can’t help but believe in you.

The launch [pun intended] in the story entails something that puts Orolo on his
journey. It is not specifically the incident itself, mind. But the challenges and
revelations that are resultant. He is provided a glimpse of something; that for
someone like Orolo, instantly gives purchase on something that is bigger than just
about everything. It’s cosmic.

Immediately following this, is the first indication of real faith; when Orolo, in
a serious violation of the Discipline — as commerce is not allowed — sells the
Math’s mead to purchase a Speelycaptor after learning about the increased
resolution of the newest models. He is of course then subsequently thrown back.

Faith

The relevance here is that selflessness is in lieu of any other affection. There
is no want of validation in trying to convince others of his findings, and
certainly no need for Orolo to make it known that he had discovered something with
such overarching impact. Only the thunderous silence of the unspoken actions set
forth by a man so obviously at peace with with an unshakable belief.
Further to all of this is the notion that Orolo was a man acting only on the
indication of something; the details are really fuzzy, but the initial event is
enough for someone who knows something so deeply in their heart to sacrifice
everything in their life, an Orolo does, including, quite obviously, his own
existence.

This really is a beautiful story within the real story, because, in saying that
Orolo has already wholeheartedly consigned himself to sacrifice, it is really
something more than a simple act of bravado, more than putting his life on the
line for another, or even one million or even the whole world. It is this
unshakable belief in something so much deeper, so profound. It is faith, and an
elegant fervor for a philosophical view of existence of everything, bigger than
religion. Something that might unite everyone under the whole raft of different
religious beliefs.

This all seems grandiose I’m sure, and it kind of is. But it got me writing for at
least two reasons. 1. It’s great to read such a massive work, in both it’s actual
volume, and the audacious scope of topic that’s explored. 2. It got me thinking
about belief, and how fragile our belief systems really are. For all the front
that we have most of the time, we really are unsure of so much, so much of the
time.

Moral courage is often so misrepresented; with definitions of such usually

existing somewhere left field of where it’s claimed to be. Well, hopefully it is
somewhere betwixt here and there that my examination of this whole allegory takes
place.