Supermind (novel)

First edition
Cover artist Vincent Di Fate

Supermind is a science fiction novel by A. E. van Vogt first published in complete form in 1976 by publisher DAW Books.

Plot introduction

As with many van Vogt works, the novel uses a psychological element, in this case Intelligence Quotient or IQ. The novel shows various characters who are at different levels of IQ and as part of the action shows how differences in IQ result in differences in perception and attention as well as differences in being able to grasp a situation and make decisions.

The novel, like many of van Vogt's novels, has a hyper-rational tone in which many of the characters, especially those from the galactic civilization have little emotional depth. The description of the galactic civilization is one of a kind of caste system in which social roles are assumed based on one's level of IQ. The galactic civilization has set up an outpost on the planet Earth manned by a scientist and his daughter whose IQ are much higher than human however as the novel develops, other groups within the galactic civilization emerge who are much more intelligent.

The novel is about one group within the galactic civilization, the Dreegh, who are similar to vampires in that they must absorb the life energies of other beings in order to survive due to an accident. A space ship with a Dreegh couple arrives on Earth as scouts to determine if what is left of the Dreegh race can take over the Earth as a base and place to live thereby hiding from the galactic civilization.

In the novel van Vogt attempts to provide an idea as to the perceptual differences between beings of different IQ as well as differences in integration between mind and body with the ability to evaluate and assess a situation quickly and accurately, make decisions quickly, and act on those decisions quickly.

Supermind was a rewrite in which a short story first published in Astounding in 1942 was written and expanded into a novel.

References

Works by A. E. van Vogt

Novels

The Book of Ptath
The House That Stood Still
The Voyage of the Space Beagle
The Mixed Men
The Universe Maker
Planets for Sale
The Mind Cage
The War against the Rull
The Beast
Rogue Ship
The Winged Man
The Silkie
Quest for the Future
Children of Tomorrow
The Battle of Forever
The Darkness on Diamondia
Future Glitter
The Secret Galactics
The Man with a Thousand Names
Supermind
The Anarchistic Colossus
Renaissance
Cosmic Encounter
Il villaggio incantato
Computerworld
To Conquer Kiber

Series

Null-A	The World of Null-A The Pawns of Null-A Null-A Three

Slan	Slan Slan Hunter - by Kevin J. Anderson

The Weapon Shops of Isher	The Weapon Makers The Weapon Shops of Isher

Clane	Empire of the Atom The Wizard of Linn

Collections

Out of the Unknown
Masters of Time
Destination: Universe!
Away and Beyond
The Twisted Men
Monsters
The Far-Out Worlds of A. E. van Vogt
The Proxy Intelligence and Other Mind Benders
M33 in Andromeda
More Than Superhuman
The Book of van Vogt
Three Eyes of Evil and Earth's Last Fortress
The Worlds of A. E. van Vogt
The Gryb
The Best of A. E. van Vogt
The Universe Makers
The Universe Makers and The Proxy Intelligence
Pendulum
Futures Past: The Best Short Fiction of A.E. Van Vogt
Transfinite: The Essential A.E. van Vogt
Transgalactic

Non-fiction

The Hypnotism Handbook with Charles Edward Cooke The Money Personality Reflections of A. E. Van Vogt: The Autobiography of a Science Fiction Giant A Report on the Violent Male

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