HHGG Trivia

[YankeyMCC]

In either HHGG or "Restaurant at the End of the Universe" there is a reference - I think by Slartibartfast - of a race or planet that ignores the existance of the rest of the universe because that way it can continue to believe there are no problems. Or something like that, maybe it was a religon or something.

Helpful clue I know, but that's the best I can do unfortunately. I remember reading it and thinking it sounded just like so many religious fundamentalists I've met and even neo-con types and wanted to remember the term.

Anyone able to make sense of what I'm talking about and maybe remember the answer? I have the books but it's pretty hard to find it again.

[lazarus]

1. hmm

I don't recall a whole race of people. It sounds like a Somebody Else's Problem field. Once you set up an SEP, nobody can see what it surrounds.

[YankeyMCC]

2. Yeah

I remember the SEP, that's not what I'm thinking of.

[BigMcLargehuge]

3. that was "The Kricket"

A generally happy and productive race whose entire system was surrounded by an opaque cloud so they were confident in their place as alone in the universe. However, one eon ago a small ramshackle probe passed through the cloud giving the Kricket a glimpse of the wider universe. Their response:

"It has to go."

Hence the beginning of The Kricket Wars.

This was in Life the Universe and Everything.

[qnr]

4. Reminds me of a Lexx episode....

/me goes off singing something about "Potato-ho" to himself

[YankeyMCC]

5. I don't think so

Because I'm finishing up "Life, the Universe and Everything." just now. I remember this other thing from one of the earlier books.

I think the Kricket idea must've sprung from his earlier reference.