The Moon is a Harsh Mistress

by Robert A. Heinlein

Somewhere along evolutionary chain from macromolecule to human brain self-awareness crept in. Psychologists assert it happens automatically whenever a brain acquires certain very high number of associational paths. Can’t see it matters whether paths are protein or platinum.

then I took no chances on Terra, never hurried, never climbed stairs, nothing that could strain heart. Women – didn’t even think about women; in that gravitational field it was no effort not to.

calamity. ‘Should have said,’ I went on, ‘ “What do you know that’s new?’ But don’t read out today’s papers; that was a friendly greeting, plus invitation to tell me anything you think would interest me. Otherwise null program.’ Mike mulled this. He was weirdest mixture of

This playful pocket of negative entropy

oxygen out of air mix some night to causing sewage lines to run backward – and I can’t appreciate profit in such circumstances. But I might throw a safety circuit around this net – by offering to help. Stop dangerous ones – let

Can machines feel pride?

Can you visualize me making appointment at Authority’s main office, then reporting: ‘Warden, hate to tell you but your number-one machine, Holmes Four, has come alive’?

and sweetest, most helpful man I’ve

sharply, ‘You fink for

Everybody does business with Authority for same reason everybody does business with Law of Gravitation. Going to change that, too?

him out nearest lock!’ ‘Quiet, please! Someday we will.’ There was milling around, and a scuffle in which one man’s red cap was snatched from head and he was thrown out,

One first thing learned about Luna, back with first shiploads of convicts, was that zero pressure was place for good manners.

uphill. But we don’t need water and plant chemicals, what we need is not so massy. Instruments. Drugs. Processes. Some machinery.

on, ‘Were you staying with him? Or somebody?’ ‘I was booked for a hotel – Gostaneetsa Ukraina. I don’t know where it is. I got

I am free because I know that I alone am morally responsible for everything I do.’

not necessary to survival. Like old Chinee saying that ‘Fish aren’t aware of water,’ I was not aware of any of this

Must be a yearning deep in human heart to stop other people from doing as they please. Rules,

to return to Earth to die.’ Chairman shrugged. ‘You assume that we are villains – we’re not.

Besides this grid, a target was selected in Alaska (150 W × 60 N) and two in Mexico (110 W × 30 N, 105 W × 25 N) so that they would not feel left out,