Adaptation

During some recent struggles with Blogger I spoke of adaptability, "adapt or die." Sometimes things strike you and hit you at just the right moment underlining thoughts and speaking to you in ways you didn't expect.

I'm in the midst of reading Brian Ball's wonderful science fiction story Survival set inside the world of Space:1999 a few paragraphs from the book really struck me concerning the concept of adaptation and survival. These words really captured the moment for me and certainly speak to our lives.

By the way, this segment, while perfectly fitting within the context of the Space:1999 universe, highlighted for me exactly why I urge you to give Space:1999 a chance. Space:1999 is all about survival. It's all about people thrust into circumstances not of their making or desire and having to deal with it. The series is about adapting to new lives, new surroundings, new logic, new questions, new challenges and new frontiers as Writer Johnny Byrne once expressed to Author John Kenneth Muir. Space:1999 is about survival more than any science fiction series I can recall.

These particular words and thoughts really underline the premise of the wonderful series that is Space:1999.

This conversation is between the character of Professor Victor Bergman and a female humanoid with whom he is quite attracted named Yendys.

"You see, Yendys, our adaptability has ensured our survival," he said.

"Please elaborate," Yendys spurred him on.

"Well, we've all learned to do things we weren't trained to- so Alpha can function better," he continued. I was a teacher and a theorist on Earth, not a pioneer. John Koenig is the finest astronaut I've ever known, and a brilliant administrator, but now he's the equivalent of a military commander- leading the roaming nation of Alpha through often hostile territory."

The aforementioned remarks also highlight the intentions of writer Johnny Byrne's vision of Space:1999. You can find more on Byrne's remarks over at John Kenneth Muir's Reflections On Film/TV.

The pioneering spirit of the new frontiers people that are Alphans continues...

Yendys nodded. "Do you find these changes uncomfortable?"

"Change is always unsettling," Victor replied. "But it is also, for human beings, the essential process of life. Things change. Situations change. People too."

Amen to some terrific writing by Brian Ball. These additional remarks round out the theme.

"If you think about it, nothing stays the same, even on a galactic scale. And if you expect it to, you are liable to be sorely disappointed."

Victor refers to Yendys' race as "specialists" and adds, "The Alphans have become generalists. It's a debate that occurred on Earth in the workplace during the mid-1990s. Which kind of worker is stronger, more efficient?"

And on that brilliant question, something that affects my work on a daily basis in the workplace, that question is also left to you. Which one are you? Are you a generalist or specialist? I am more likely the former with some specialty.

Stay tuned for a terrific Space:1999 entry, Force Of Life, written by Johnny Byrne, that builds change or adaptation into the very heart of its story.