Omelas

[cjsmith]

I was recently reminded again (thank you, minoanmiss!) of the story The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas.

I love that story.

It's not a comfortable story, not exactly a delight to read*, but it speaks powerfully. LeGuin was a clear thinker and very philosophical. (I own a book of her essays, written later in life, and I have that illusion that readers get, that I know her a little bit through her writings. She's on the short list of people I really wish I could have had dinner with in my lifetime.)

Anyway, the reminder made me think of how strongly that story has affected how I think about people.

Omelas poses a question that, to me, has become one of the things I sort of form guesses about as I get to know people. Would this person ever walk away from Omelas? I don't always have an answer, but if I get to know the person for a while, I form a guess.

I know, love, and trust some people who wouldn't. I treasure those who I think would, and I trust them in a much deeper way.

________________________________________
* see also the difference between enjoying a book and being glad you read it

Comments

[noelfigart]

I'd never read that story before.

I read it drinking a cup of coffee and eating a bite of Lindt chocolate.

I suppose... I suppose I haven't walked away yet, have I?

[siliconshaman]

I'd walk... after burning it down.

I'm still in the planning stages of my walk. I'm not leaving blindly or ill-prepared.

[lcohen]

i never had dinner with her but i did get to meet her at one wiscon, and attended several of her panels, because of course i did. she is fiercely smart.

i know i have read that story but i don't remember it so i need to revisit it, but not right this second.

[amaebi]

I think it's a valuable story, but also sort of a trolley problem.

[dantesspirit]

I'd like to think I'd walk away, I'd also like to think I'd stay and try to change things from the inside, but truthfully, I don't think any of us really know exactly what we'd do until we were actually faced with that situation.

I mean, there are real life situations I *have* walked away from. So, maybe I would walk away.