02447cam a22003373u 4500 28953 UtSlPG 20260610133647.0 m cr n 260607r2009||||utu|||||o|||||||||||||| d UtSlPG en iso639-1 PS Lowe, Richard E. When I Grow Up Salt Lake City, UT : Project Gutenberg, 2009 1 online resource : multiple file formats text txt rdacontent computer c rdamedia online resource cr rdacarrier Produced from Fantastic Universe September 1956. Release date is 2009-05-24 Produced by Greg Weeks, Stephen Blundell and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net "When I Grow Up" by Richard E. Lowe is a science fiction story written in the mid-20th century. Set in the year A.D. 3896 at a vast University renowned for its broad study of human behavior, the book explores themes of child development through the rival theories of heredity and environment. The plot builds around a unique child named Herbux who expresses a singular desire to become a "Destructor," leading to unsettling discoveries about his abilities and the implications for his future. The narrative unfolds through the interactions between two professors, each representing opposing ideologies regarding human development and behavior. Professor Miltcheck von Possenfeller advocates for the influence of environment, while Dr. Arthur D. Smithlawn champions heredity. Their focus shifts dramatically when they encounter Herbux, a seemingly normal boy with an extraordinary power to kill living creatures with merely a glance. As the professors investigate Herbux's desire to be a Destructor, they grapple with the ethical implications of his abilities, questioning the nature of his talent and whether it stems from his environment or from something more inherent. Ultimately, the story raises profound questions about free will, the essence of childhood innocence, and the unpredictable outcomes of human development. (This is an automatically generated summary.) Original publication data not identified Science fiction Short stories Produced from Fantastic Universe September 1956. https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/28953 69801 69801