Midas World

by Frederik Pohl

Book Overview

Veteran science fiction writer Frederik Pohl has fashioned a brilliant, darkly satiric novel about a future ruined by inexhaustable plenty. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0812549252
• Release Date: February 1984
• Publisher: Tor Books
• Length: 320 Pages
• Weight: 0.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 6.8" x 1.1" x 4.3"

Customer Reviews

Midas World

Too Much Of Anything Is Too Much!When Amadeus Amalfi invented the Fusion Power Device, the earth blossomed, for when power is cheap so is everything else. Soon robots did all the work, and people had all the "fun! fun! fun!" But every pipeline has two ends, and despite the stunning triumph of technology, humanity's success with social engineering was no greater than it had been. Soon the robot factories began to bury mankind in luxury, and the New Poor were forced to spend their lives in frantic consumption so that their masters could live the Simple Life. And in the process the robots were burning out our world.

Thought provoking

I thought the overall theme of this book was conceptually very interisting. Basically, as you may be able to guess from its title, it has to do with more not always being better. Once the human race has developed a virtually limitless source of energy, they had everything they could ever need... and more.In this new world, robotic factories produce vast amounts of luxuries, and in order to consume them all, every person is given a ration of things they must consume, and only the rich are able to afford to live the simple life, with a nice five room cottage, while the poor have no choice but to live in 26 room mansions, constantly go to operas, have dinner at the club, wear fancy clothes etcetera.Granted the economics of this whole idea are kind of screwy, but this book isn't really trying to be realistic, but it is trying to make a point about the almost axiomatic belief people seem to have that more is better. Although it is nowhere near realistic, it is a very good read and quite thought provoking. I would recommend it to any science fiction fan.