000 02508cam a22003373u 4500
001 22596
003 UtSlPG
005 20260610133523.0
006 m
007 cr n
008 260607r2007||||utu|||||o|||||||||||||| d
040 _aUtSlPG
041 7 _aen
_2iso639-1
050 4 _aPS
100 1 _aHarmon, Jim,
_d1933-2010
245 1 0 _aMeasure for a Loner
264 1 _aSalt Lake City, UT :
_bProject Gutenberg,
_c2007
300 _a1 online resource :
_bmultiple file formats
336 _atext
_btxt
_2rdacontent
337 _acomputer
_bc
_2rdamedia
338 _aonline resource
_bcr
_2rdacarrier
490 1 _aProduced from Amazing Science Fiction Stories March 1959.
500 _aRelease date is 2007-09-14
508 _aProduced by Greg Weeks, Stephen Blundell and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net
520 _a"Measure for a Loner" by Jim Harmon is a science fiction novella written during the mid-20th century. The narrative explores the psychological implications of loneliness in the context of space travel, particularly the necessity for a pilot who can withstand isolation in deep space. The story examines how contemporary society influences perceptions of loneliness and how finding a suitable astronaut amidst a well-conditioned populace proves to be a significant challenge. The plot centers around Dr. Thorn, a historical psychologist who is tasked with identifying a suitable candidate for piloting a groundbreaking interstellar spaceship, the "Evening Star." The government seeks a man who embodies true loneliness, one who can handle the solitude of space travel for extended periods. Thorn discovers two candidates: Gordon Meyverik, who has deliberately isolated himself on Seal Island to prepare for the mission, and Stan Johnson, who enjoys solitude for its own sake. As Thorn assesses their suitability, he grapples with the moral complexities of his task, culminating in a harrowing realization that both candidates may be unable to return from their mission due to governmental manipulation. Ultimately, the novella poses profound questions about loneliness and the human condition in an era where emotional suppression may come at a great cost. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
534 _nOriginal publication data not identified
653 _aScience fiction
653 _aShort stories
830 0 _aProduced from Amazing Science Fiction Stories March 1959.
856 4 0 _uhttps://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/22596
999 _c63713
_d63713