This is topic OSC: Time period of Shadow series in forum Discussions About Orson Scott Card at Hatrack River Forum.


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Posted by Hyperfried (Member # 7892) on :
 
It's quite obvious, to everyone, that Ender's Game and the Shadow series (The ones in the sort of "present" to begin the series) are in the future. "Desks" for computers, colonizing saturn, etc. etc. etc., it's pretty obvious that we've got advanced stuff.

The question is: How far into the future are we talking?

I seem to recall, though I can't find the page, and I'm not even sure if it's this exact book, a teeny tiny mention of when this might take place. I'm about 95% sure that, somewhere in the second half of Shadow Puppets, there is a mention by someone (I believe it's either Bean or Alai, don't take my word for it) that the American Civil War was about 300 years "ago". If I am right about this (and, though I think I am, don't quote me), then Ender's Game and the Shadow series should be set somewhere around the year 2150-2160, give or take about half a century.

I would really appreciate it if...

A) Someone would look for this, and try to prove me justify this. (At the moment, I've got a good amount of homework...)

B) Orson Scott Card himself would take a look at this thread. It could be debatable, even to him, when these books are set, but, well, might as well start speculating.
 

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Posted by Sid Meier (Member # 6965) on :
 
Thats 4 years before First Contact! In 4 years they're gonna meet the Vulcans!
 

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Posted by Sid Meier (Member # 6965) on :
 
But ya amazing, I was wondering the time frame for Ender series.

I know that there is a 70 year gap between BW2 and BW3

But the gap between BW1 and modern day I don't know enough to have freigters frequenting the belt.
 

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Posted by Gryphonesse (Member # 6651) on :
 


edit - this was for the Vulcan comment - I'm just not quick enough!

[ April 26, 2005, 05:16 PM: Message edited by: Gryphonesse ]
 

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Posted by Sid Meier (Member # 6965) on :
 
hehehe
 

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Posted by Orson Scott Card (Member # 209) on :
 
I hate hate hate doing timelines. As a result I end up with contradictions and anomalies.

I promise you that I have no idea whatsoever how far in the future the Ender/Shadow books extend. Well, that's too far - "about 150 years" is fair, though I wouldn't argue with 200, either.

Just remember, please, that I am not even remotely attempting a "future history," precisely because theye are so quickly outdated when they are overtaken by the calendar.
 

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Posted by ricree101 (Member # 7749) on :
 
Also, technology in many areas were learned from the remains of the buggers, so the tech level in Ender's game would not have much bearing on real life. All we really know is that there was a militarized presence in space during the first bugger war, which is certainly conceivable in the next hundred years or so.
 

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Posted by El JT de Spang (Member # 7742) on :
 

quote:

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Just remember, please, that I am not even remotely attempting a "future history," precisely because theye are so quickly outdated when they are overtaken by the calendar

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