Red Rising is a magnificent series of young adult books set in a unique blend of dystopia, space opera (sci-fi), neoclassicism, and spartan militarism. It remains a young adult book despite all the murder, rape, and backstabbing because the book portrays these events in a romantic light (akin to how those volunteers who though WWI would be a great adventure). Instead the book focuses on the personal growth and chivalrous romances of a small group of heroes who fight against a grave societal injustice.
Despite the sci-fi setting, the societal injustice the heroes fight against is a very old idea. It is an idea that has manifested in many different versions over the ages (hint: White Man’s Burden, Survival of the Fittest). It is an idea that every society, every culture must address in some way. The variant you are most likely familiar with is the ethnic ideology espoused by the Nazis.
This idea has been taboo since the fall of the Third Reich, however, the steady march of science has made it closer to reality than even when Hitler was master of Europe and 19 miles from Moscow.
Okay, enough hints, what is this timeless idea? The idea is thus: might is right.
We all know not all men are created equal. For much of human history and in the animal kingdom today, the mightiest–individuals and collectives–receive the lion’s share of resources such as food, land, status, women, etc.
However, in today’s age, we largely choose to behave as if all men are equal (for the most part). Laws and rights apply equally to all (in theory). All children have access to free education (quality may vary). Discrimination is illegal (in some instances).
Men are, of course, still unequal, but mankind has come up with alternative systems to allow people with varying levels of ability to coexist. Systems such as capitalism, democracy, sports, etc. One can no longer simply take something because they are stronger. The Collective Many check and channel the ambitions of the Mighty Few into relatively well-regulated systems.
Yet, this societal equilibrium may soon come to a tipping point like it does in Red Rising. In Red Rising there are “Golds” who are humans who have been genetically engineered to be the best they can be. The fact that Golds are stronger and smarter than other humans is not the issue (as this dynamic exists in our world today), the issue is the magnitude of the difference exacerbated by genetic engineering. If today the difference between a mighty and an average person is 2x, then in Red Rising the difference is more like 10x.
Of course, we don’t know the actual upside of genetic engineering. Perhaps such a difference in capability is not possible. However, we also do not know the limits of genetic engineering. Perhaps 10 times is too conservative an estimate.
Estimates aside, we ought to discuss how the balance of power would be affected by such radical shifts in individual capability. The power of the masses is more powerful than any one individual (or oligarchy), but what would happen if that were no longer true? Maybe someday Pierce Brown will write a prequel novel, but until then human history provides a few clues.
In theory, humans today should be wiser than our ancient ancestors. We not only have access to the entire history of recorded knowledge, but we have augmented our ancestor’s understanding of the observable world by studying what was previously unobservable with the tools of science.
Yet, humans are still humans. We behave irrationally. We harm others. We harm ourselves. We are selfish, entitled, and short-sighted. We create things we don’t need and then get addicted to them. We create things that can destroy us. Power continues to corrupt us. There is little reason to think we would wield increased power judiciously. Philosopher kings are too few and fleeting, feudalism failed, and noblesse oblige is insufficient.
Some may argue that increased intelligence corresponds with increased empathy and morality. Even if that’s true, it won’t be enough to maintain the current status quo. Correspond is not a strong enough force. It only takes a few highly motivated individuals to seize power, especially when technology enables global, winner-take-all systems.
For all the talk about AI overlords, I believe genetically-enhanced human overlords are a far more likely scenario, after all sentient AI may turn out to be benevolent but we have a history of malevolent humans…
On a lighter note, we seem powerless as a species to stop things like this from happening so maybe don’t worry about it and go read a book in the sun.