The Way We Live Now - A Personal Review

A novel about the future of humankind caught between its past and its future is The Way We Live Now by J. Wes Watson. I read it quickly because I am a fan of science fiction and space travel, and also because of the premise, which is that almost all life on earth is predicated upon biotechnology, or the use of genetic engineering to create new life forms. This book is about mankind's relationship with its so-called masters, the intelligent life existing in the galaxy, and their uneasy allies the insectoid creatures called aliens. The Way We Live Now also is about our possible relationships with other life, including other planets and stars in the universe. It is interesting to note in this regard that the book is co-written by John Green, author of A Deep Purple Book and A Time To Kill, and is entitled Starseed: A Space Opera Book.

The premise of the book is impressive, if for nothing else, for it is the first of what promises to be several volumes of tales chronicling the progress of the human species on earth through the centuries. Watson successfully weaves a powerful story of the human drama through a combination of facts, legend, and futuristic speculation. The novel is set many light years into the future and takes place amid a rapidly advancing Space Age. In doing so, he has managed to put us within earshot of what is going on around us even as we are unable to physically see or touch anything from that faraway place.

The main thrust of the story is Watson's exploration of the mysterious Xel'page colony he comes across in the middle of the book. There he uncovers a plot that is resolved only to have it rediscovered six thousand years later when an archaeologist from the Xel'naga arrives on earth to retrieve information on its origins. The second part of the book involves the retrieval of artifacts from a different Xel'page colony on another planet. Watson again has the advantage of time on his side and is able to help the archaeologist find the artifacts before they are lost forever. The subsequent part involves the team finding a way to rescue the Xel'page colony from the clutches of the Outsiders and the destruction of their home system by them.

The Way We Live Now touches on the subject of space, because it was said that one day all people would live on one planet, which is called "the Starseed." It goes on to say that this will herald the next stage of evolution, whereby our species will merge with other life forms. This book also touches on the subject of religion and the ways people can cope with their gods when they do not believe in them. The book ends with an examination of what life would be like on other planets and what the implications for human beings if such an idea was ever brought into being. Some readers may feel that Watson has already addressed some of these themes in his other books such as Pandora, so this is simply more added content on the theme of what our life on Earth will be like.

I enjoyed reading this book, partly because I am a long time reader of astronomy and have a working knowledge of how the solar system works and the origins of life on earth. I also enjoyed the account of the exploration of space and the eventual exploration of Mars. In fact, I personally would like to see NASA revamp the program that they currently have and take it to the next level, as we only have one planet in the Solar System and many believe that another planet could have water based life on it like we do today. Such a book would be valuable to those who are presently studying astronomy or science as a whole.

One of the most interesting things I read was when Watson talks about the importance of education in today's society. He says that we should teach our children not just to know how to learn, but to love learning and be passionate about it. He also makes the point that we should raise our children to think for themselves and to respect the boundaries of science in today's society. While these may seem like old-fashioned ideas, they are certainly still relevant today.