GRGR(3): Jessica and Roger, Mind-to-mind

[calbert at pop.tiac.net]

> Roger is considered by the Psi Section people to have a special power
> because he can reasonably predict the distribution of rocket hits across
> the London grid. 

By employing Poisson's formula. It seems a little forced to make this 
a "power", though I would agree that it appears P's purpose, given 
that Pointsman seems so incapapble of grasping the idea.

> Both his and Jessica's, er, special powers seem to be
> situated within the (relatively speaking) mundane: mathematics and love.
> Yet much of the novel appears to revolve around these two subjects
> (particularly contemporary mathematics (is that the term I want?
> Statistics, maybe...), which examines randomness).

I suspect that you want statistics. What is examined is correlation 
and probabilities, randomness is kinda like the void into which these 
LaPutans peer, determined to discover patterns and shapes.

>  [The Blicero/Gottfried
> thread has continued to blossom in the midst of this...]

I fear I may have established a bad precedent by expressing my 
distaste for Blicero's sexual proclivities. I agree with (was it rj?) 
who suggested that these games are a perfectly valid form of 
"love-making". Gottfired is pretty much a slut getting his just 
desserts, so I can't shed any tears for him. We've been provided at 
least a modicum of justification for Katje's "sterility", and to the 
degree that she contributes to the allied war effort, her actions 
appear in a context of duty or sacrifice, however tortured. I can go 
along with the floggings, crossdressing and sodomy, it was that ginzu 
faux vulva which chapped my rear.

>  Love in
> particularly seems to be often ignored in GR, but aren't there instances
> where it attempts to rear its head?  Roger for Jessica, Slothrop (perhaps)
> for Katje?

So far Roger and Jessica fit the bill. Does anyone find it insincere 
or in other ways questionable?  


love,
cfa