Article archive / December 2017
Originally published: . Volume 8, No. 12. Source pages: 14.
The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
Michael Chafetz, PhD Neuropsychologist, New Orleans 2012 Distinguished Psychologist
If you are looking for romance, mystery, or a good chase scene, forget it. But if you would like a really practical guide to inter- galactic travel, The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy by Douglas Adams is your ticket to perspective and knowledge about all kinds of beings, including humans. I mean, Google Translate is a wonderful thing, but if you don't want to fumble with a phone while in a cab or other kind of transport, just slip a babelfish into your ear (no, not the Norwegian band), and you will be able to understand any language spoken by any being. By the way, did you know that humans are not the smartest beings on our planet? In fact, we're only third in the sentience arms race. The dolphins are smarter than we are, and they are also filled with gratitude and kindness. Knowing that the earth was going to be demolished (though most humans did not), they left and said, "So long, and thanks for all the fish!" Of course, the mice are the smartest beings on our planet. It figures. I had no idea of their abilities for long-range planning, deception, and thinking through all the issues. It is also nice to have some perspective on your little problems. When Arthur Dent makes a stand in front of his house to prevent the bulldozers from leveling it to make room for a highway, Ford Prefect (one of the Hitchhiker's Guide travel writers) has to convince him to leave, as this little problem pales in comparison to the fact that some really nasty aliens are about to level the earth to make room for an inter-stellar highway. Ahem. Yes, there are things that are more important than your little problems. Anyway, I can't tell you how many times I have read or audio booked this novel, but it gives me pleasure every time.
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