# Larry Niven's "Inconstant Moon" comes true. What do you do? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 5, 2011, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/larry-nivens-inconstant-moon-comes-true-what-do-you-do/598713 "2011-10-05T18:50:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![An\_Gadai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@An\_Gadai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Gadai)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2011, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/larry-nivens-inconstant-moon-comes-true-what-do-you-do/598713/41 "2011-10-06T17:58:18Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > I don’t watch Anthony Edwards movies. Religious reaons. > > Anyway, this thread is an excuse to discuss the Nivens story, and by extension all Nivens stories, and maybe other SF short stories. That’s a pity, as it works on pretty much the same premise and is a great film too. ---
**Author:** ![teela\_brown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d9b06d/32.png) [@teela\_brown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teela_brown)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2011, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/larry-nivens-inconstant-moon-comes-true-what-do-you-do/598713/42 "2011-10-06T18:00:43Z")
Well, I’m an old childless female, but inspired by my anthropology major in college, I once taught myself how to chip flint into crude arrowheads and spear points. Would that earn me a spot in a primitive economy? ---
**Author:** ![devilsknew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4da419/32.png) [@devilsknew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/devilsknew)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2011, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/larry-nivens-inconstant-moon-comes-true-what-do-you-do/598713/43 "2011-10-06T18:08:06Z")
> [@Tristan](#): > > That particular story (one of my fav’s) was also adapted for an Outer Limits (I think) episode as well. The ending wasn’t as good, but it was still decent. > > Not nearly as good as the story, of course. I love me some Niven. Yep, saw that Outer Limits, didn’t he use it as an opportunity to rekindle an old flame? ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2011, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/larry-nivens-inconstant-moon-comes-true-what-do-you-do/598713/44 "2011-10-06T21:52:45Z")
> [@teela\_brown](#): > > Well, I’m an old childless female, but inspired by my anthropology major in college, I once taught myself how to chip flint into crude arrowheads and spear points. Would that earn me a spot in a primitive economy? Yes, it probably would…at least as long as you didn’t teach someone else how to do it. Still, if you could do this, and possibly some other stuff that would free up the hunter/gatherer/farmer people, I’d think that the hunters, at least, would be happy to have a source of arrowheads. And the community would be happy to have a source of knives. I’m sure that the hunters would use guns (long and short) if they absolutely NEEDED to make a kill, and try to use arrows most of the rest of the time. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2011, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/larry-nivens-inconstant-moon-comes-true-what-do-you-do/598713/45 "2011-10-07T00:01:19Z")
> [@Gray\_Ghost](#): > > Clarke’s “[The Star](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Star_(short_story))” is right up there with “Inconstant Moon” for me. Haven’t read “The Dead Past” yet and I guess I need to. “The Star” is good, but I think I saw the twist coming a little too early. This is, of course, a danger with any story that relies too heavily on a twist. And I’d say that along those lines, Clarke’s “The Nine Billion Names of God” is better, anyway. ---
**Author:** ![Sasquatch\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8491ac/32.png) [@Sasquatch\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sasquatch_1)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2011, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/larry-nivens-inconstant-moon-comes-true-what-do-you-do/598713/46 "2011-10-07T01:59:26Z")
If you have the capability, it might be worth it to head north/south as appropriate, just in case the nova lasts for over a full rotation of the planet. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2011, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/larry-nivens-inconstant-moon-comes-true-what-do-you-do/598713/47 "2011-10-07T04:36:43Z")
It would depend on whether my partner’s home or traveling across the world on business. If he’s already a goner, I’d be more likely to end it all. But if he’s home, we’d make a serious attempt to survive . . . or at least to make our remaining time meaningful, however short. And if the internet is still functioning, I’d definitely try to see how many Dopers have survival ideas. ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2011, 6:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/larry-nivens-inconstant-moon-comes-true-what-do-you-do/598713/48 "2011-10-07T06:57:28Z")
> [@Sasquatch](#): > > If you have the capability, it might be worth it to head north/south as appropriate, just in case the nova lasts for over a full rotation of the planet. And THIS is where the Soviet Union/American “mine gap” becomes crucial… ---
**Author:** ![Sr\_Siete](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6de8d8/32.png) [@Sr\_Siete](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sr_Siete)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2011, 7:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/larry-nivens-inconstant-moon-comes-true-what-do-you-do/598713/49 "2011-10-07T07:32:22Z")
I would listen to the radio, which I assume, even in the mid-sixties, would have some information about half the world disappearing. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2011, 8:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/larry-nivens-inconstant-moon-comes-true-what-do-you-do/598713/50 "2011-10-07T08:19:50Z")
> [@devilsknew](#): > > Yep, saw that Outer Limits, didn’t he use it as an opportunity to rekindle an old flame? He did that in the story too; getting some happiness out of his last night on Earth or so he thought. > [@Sr\_Siete](#): > > I would listen to the radio, which I assume, even in the mid-sixties, would have some information about half the world disappearing. That’s what the protagonist thought of - then he remembered that a few minutes ago he’d given up trying to watch Johnny Carson because the TV showed nothing but static. ---
**Author:** ![NicePete](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ee7513/32.png) [@NicePete](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NicePete)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2011, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/larry-nivens-inconstant-moon-comes-true-what-do-you-do/598713/51 "2011-10-07T14:13:37Z")
> [@bump](#): > > Me too, I was thinking that the list would be: > > 1. Obtain assless chaps. All chaps are assless, aren’t they? ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2011, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/larry-nivens-inconstant-moon-comes-true-what-do-you-do/598713/52 "2011-10-07T14:30:33Z")
Well, I’m a chap, and I’m ass-less, so there is one data point. ---
**Author:** ![brittekland](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/aeb1de/32.png) [@brittekland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brittekland)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2011, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/larry-nivens-inconstant-moon-comes-true-what-do-you-do/598713/53 "2011-10-07T15:06:09Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > I’m ass-less. Completely? That’s not good. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2011, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/larry-nivens-inconstant-moon-comes-true-what-do-you-do/598713/54 "2011-10-07T16:07:45Z")
Straight drop from my shoulder blades to my heels. I am sadly booty-deficient. When someone sees me and says “What an ass!” I know they are not commenting on how well I fill out my jeans. ---
**Author:** ![brittekland](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/aeb1de/32.png) [@brittekland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brittekland)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2011, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/larry-nivens-inconstant-moon-comes-true-what-do-you-do/598713/55 "2011-10-07T16:20:39Z")
I initially read that as : “Straight **dope** from my shoulder blades to my heels.” Well… at least you are a chap. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2011, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/larry-nivens-inconstant-moon-comes-true-what-do-you-do/598713/56 "2011-10-07T17:41:25Z")
> [@NicePete](#): > > All chaps are assless, aren’t they? I suppose you’re right. Maybe it should have been 1. Obtain chaps and codpiece/thong. ---
**Author:** ![JBDivmstr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b4bc9f/32.png) [@JBDivmstr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JBDivmstr)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2011, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/larry-nivens-inconstant-moon-comes-true-what-do-you-do/598713/57 "2011-10-12T16:17:23Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > For those who’ve never read it, the aforementioned story tells the story of a technical writer, Stan, who, while working late one notices that the full moon has suddenly becomes impossibly bright – as bright as the sun at midday. At first he is happily puzzled, but then he thinks about it and realizes that, since Luna’s light is all reflected from Sol, this sudden brilliance means something bad has gone with the sun; at first he thinks _nova_, but after a bit more rumination he and his amateur-astronomer girlfriend realize that it’s a huge solar flare. > > [Here’s a link to the Wikipedia entry on the subject.](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inconstant_Moon#Inconstant_Moon) > > [Here’s a link to the first part of the text.](http://web.archive.org/web/19970622095116/http://www.tale.com/niven/inc-free.htm) > > Let’s set aside all technical improbabilities, okay? Assume that everything described in the story could happen; and assume that it DOES happen, tonight. (We’ll pretend the next full moon is tonight, not the 12th.) What would you do? Dang it, Skald! You could have at least given us a, ‘Head’s up! If you click on the Wiki link, it’ll be a “spoiler” if you read it!’ ---
**Author:** ![ruh-roh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8797f3/32.png) [@ruh-roh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ruh-roh)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2011, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/larry-nivens-inconstant-moon-comes-true-what-do-you-do/598713/58 "2011-10-12T18:14:24Z")
> [@Oy](#): > > :eek: > > OK, I get it. **Der Trihs** , got any painless suicide ideas? Black Capsule Suicide Is Painless… It brings on many changes. ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2011, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/larry-nivens-inconstant-moon-comes-true-what-do-you-do/598713/59 "2011-10-12T18:19:51Z")
> [@Oy](#): > > :eek: > > OK, I get it. **Der Trihs** , got any painless suicide ideas? I am keeping a list of the persons who intend to commit suicide after the apocalypse, and I have made arrangements to have y’all all shot in the back of the head and your stuff confiscated. Except **Oy!** I’ll be giving the confiscated stuff and other needfuls to her in hopes of persuading her to remain with us. ---
**Author:** ![muldoonthief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldoonthief/32/3188_2.png) [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2011, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/larry-nivens-inconstant-moon-comes-true-what-do-you-do/598713/60 "2011-10-12T18:43:53Z")
> [@teela\_brown](#): > > Well, I’m an old childless female, but inspired by my anthropology major in college, I once taught myself how to chip flint into crude arrowheads and spear points. Would that earn me a spot in a primitive economy? Oh sure - **teela brown** just _happens_ to have a valuable and rare talent for a Niven post-apocalyptic world. What are the odds? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/larry-nivens-inconstant-moon-comes-true-what-do-you-do/598713.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/larry-nivens-inconstant-moon-comes-true-what-do-you-do/598713.md?page=4)