A Question of Titles

[coalescent]

When Ken Macleod was interviewed at a BSFA meeting earlier this year, he read an extract from his novel-in-progress, which was carrying the title Learning the World. The latest Interzone has an interview with Macleod in which he says:

Learning the World began with: 'wouldn't it be interesting if the Victorian positivist historians were right, and people became more rational and more liberal as they acquired more knowledge? And wouldn't it be cool to write something as if coming straight from the positivist-influenced British sf or scientific romance tradition of Wells, Stapledon and Clarke, as if the New Wave and cyberpunk had never happened?' That was the abstract idea. The concrete image was of a big vulnerable peaceful colony ship of rational liberal far-future humans slamming into a solar system of aliens who have just entered their version of the twentieth century, and are therefore tooling up for a rumble with somebody.

Sounds pretty cool, if you ask me. But! At the end of the interview, there's a note that says:

Newton's Wake is available in hardback from Orbit (369pp, £17.99), who will also be publishing The New Intelligence in August 2005.

The New Intelligence? Yes, that's right; it's on Amazon and everything. In their infinite wisdom the people at Orbit are changing the title. Apparently, however, it may still see publication as Learning the World in the US.

Now, to me, as titles go, Learning the World is clearly superior to The New Intelligence. But what do you think?

[Poll #393005]

Footnote: if it is published under different titles, I'd be strongly tempted to buy the US edition. Particularly since they seem to be getting better covers these days, as well.

Comments

[immortalradical.livejournal.com]

Of the two, and if I had to choose, I prefer Learning the World ... though The New Intelligence has the Whiggish arrogance Macleod is taking as his starting point. But, really, they're both pretty dreadful as novel titles and I can't say I care enough about either to, you know, erm, care. :P

[coalescent.livejournal.com]

But, really, they're both pretty dreadful as novel titles

To your contrariness I say this: bah!

[immortalradical.livejournal.com]

Oh, you know you wouldn't know what to do without it.

[ninebelow.livejournal.com]

But, really, they're both pretty dreadful as novel titles

I think the big problem is they sound like books for middle managers.

[immortalradical.livejournal.com]

Well, precisely. :) Inspiring titles for high concept works of speculative fiction they are not.

[(Anonymous)]

they're both pretty dreadful as novel titles

Am shocked to find myself in agreement with you.

I marginally prefer 'Learning', as 'Intelligence' smacks of self-help or trendy psychology.

-- tom

[immortalradical.livejournal.com]

Am shocked to find myself in agreement with you.

I believe I am looking and beholding a pale horse as I type. Will keep you updated as to the appearance of other harbingers.