Of the stories we’ve read so far in this course, one has stood out to me as by far the most mind-blowing, and perspective-altering: “Desertion,” by Clifford Simak. I decided to focus my research for the week on Simak. I learned from his obituary in the New York Times that Simak enjoyed a prolific writing career as a reporter, news editor, science editor, author of short stories, novels, and non-fiction science books, recipient of three Hugo Awards and three Nebula Awards, and Science Fiction Hall of Fame inductee. One quote from Simak stood out to me: ”I have tried at times to place humans in perspective against the vastness of universal time and space.” This is exactly what “Desertion” did for me: it made me realize how comparatively limited the human experience of perception, thought, and life could be in a universe full of intelligent life. Additionally, I learned that Simak was “concerned with where we, as a race, may be going and what may be our purpose in the universal scheme – if we have a purpose.” In “Desertion”, I believe Simak is speculating that humans will likely colonize other planets in the Solar System. While I didn’t see as much speculation in “Desertion” on the question of humanity’s purpose, I believe this one of the most important questions dealt with by science fiction, and I am excited to see if this class brings me closer to an answer.