We Have to Save Childhood

The human race ceases to exist in one of my favorite works of science fiction — sort of.

In Arthur C. Clarke’s novel Childhood’s End, from 1953, benevolent aliens come to Earth, share their technology with humanity, and guide it into a golden age. In classic sci-fi fashion, however, these aliens have an ulterior motive: to shepherd the human race into communion with the “Overmind,” a universe-spanning collective consciousness. This is the next stage of our evolution, and it’s the end of our childhood as a species.

About the Author

Jack Butler

Jack Butler is a former submissions editor at National Review.

Featured Tags

The human race ceases to exist in one of my favorite works of science fiction — sort of.

In Arthur C. Clarke’s novel Childhood’s End, from 1953, benevolent aliens come to Earth, share their technology with humanity, and guide it into a golden age. In classic sci-fi fashion, however, these aliens have an ulterior motive: to shepherd the human race into communion with the “Overmind,” a universe-spanning collective consciousness. This is the next stage of our evolution, and it’s the end of our childhood as a species.