000 02621cam a22003613u 4500
001 59588
003 UtSlPG
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006 m
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040 _aUtSlPG
041 7 _aen
_2iso639-1
050 4 _aPS
100 1 _aWalton, Bryce,
_d1918-1988
245 1 4 _aThe Happy Herd
264 1 _aSalt Lake City, UT :
_bProject Gutenberg,
_c2019
300 _a1 online resource :
_bmultiple file formats
336 _atext
_btxt
_2rdacontent
337 _acomputer
_bc
_2rdamedia
338 _aonline resource
_bcr
_2rdacarrier
490 1 _aProduced from Worlds of If Science Fiction, October 1956
500 _aRelease date is 2019-05-23
508 _aProduced by Greg Weeks, Mary Meehan and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
520 _a"The Happy Herd" by Bryce Walton is a science fiction novel that likely originated in the mid-20th century, specifically during the 1950s. The narrative explores themes of individuality and conformity in a dystopian society where people are conditioned to prioritize group happiness over personal freedom and dignity. The story follows Professor Larry Kane, who after a long stint on the Moon, returns to Earth only to find himself ensnared in a culture that eschews independent thought and individuality. The plot centers around Kane's struggles with the overwhelming desire for solitude as he grapples with the increasingly invasive social dynamics enforced by the Group he encounters upon his return. This 'Gang' of friends, led by Phil and Laura, relentlessly seeks to incorporate him into their world of collective reactions, defined by the use of a machine that measures and dictates their preferences based on group standards. As Kane becomes increasingly aware of the manipulative nature of their 'happy' existence, he fights against the societal pressures to conform and yearns for true individuality. Ultimately, the story examines the psychological ramifications of a society where personal rights, choices, and autonomy are sacrificed for the sake of social harmony, leaving Kane to decide whether to escape back to the isolation of space or to succumb to the collective will. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
534 _nOriginal publication data not identified
653 _aScience fiction
653 _aPsychological fiction
653 _aConformity -- Fiction
700 1 _aEmshwiller, Ed,
_d1925-1990
830 0 _aProduced from Worlds of If Science Fiction, October 1956
856 4 0 _uhttps://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/59588
999 _c100414
_d100414