![]() ![]() The implied picture of humanity is not flattering. A black market flourishes "stalkers" enter the forbidden Zones and, at risk of various kinds of terrible and painful death, steal bits of Visitors' litter, bring the stuff out, and sell it, sometimes to the Foundation. An international Foundation sponsors research. They cannot figure out the principles of the artifacts, the science behind them. Some of the mystifying and dangerous debris proves useful-eternal batteries which power automobiles-but the scientists never know if they are using the devices for their proper purpose, or employing (as it were) Geiger counters as hand-axes and electronic components as nose-rings. ![]() The picnickers have gone the packrats, wary but curious, approach the crumpled bits of cellophane, the glittering fliptops from beercans, and try to carry them home to their holes. Aliens have visited the earth and gone away again, leaving behind them several landing areas (now called The Zones) littered with their refuse. Roadside Picnic is a "first contact" story with a difference. Le Guin A New Book by the StrugatskysĪrkady and Boris Strugatsky. ![]()
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