24 Festive Tasks: Saturnalia

 Square Three

Book: The god Saturn has a planet named after him: Read any work of science fiction that takes place in space, or a nonfiction science / popular science book. Or read a book revolving around a large party, ball, or festival, or a story where roles are reversed, or a book celebrating free speech, or a book featuring a utopian society.

The Math of Life and Death by Kit Yates (read by the author)

Oh, no. How did I manage to buy a book read by the the author.  Even worse, the author has a strong local accent and of the British variety no less.  Okay,  this will be a challenge but I can do it. I listen to Brits all the time. I just need to relax and let my ear get around the sounds. Good things there was a long introduction before we got to the meat of the book; by the time we got to the fun stuff, I was comfortable and spent a wonderful few hours with Professor Yates while he talked about life and death and statistics--and not at all about math.

Task 1:  According to imperial Roman sources, the Saturnalicius princeps  ("Ruler" or "King of the Saturnalia") ruled as master of ceremonies  during the holiday. His role was possibly a satire on that of the  emperor; and he has been compared to the medieval Lord of Misrule at the  Feast of Fools: his capricious commands had to be obeyed by the other  guests ... he created and (mis)ruled a chaotic and absurd world.

Appoint  a character from one of the books you read this year "Ruler of the  Saturnalia" and name a funny / capricious command you think (s)he might  give!

The cop-out position here is to fall back on my dear old favorite, Don Quixote, already the Fool's Fool. So, I want to chose a different character. Do I choose Inspector Rutledge? War has stripped him of his sense of humor and it would be heartless to put him in this position. So, no, not him. What about Ellery Queen? No. He would be a stick in the mud, a killjoy. In fact, forget all the cops and sleuths; they are already used to be being in charge -- and with them, half the books I have read this year.  I look at some of the titles I read this year and can't even remember the plot let alone a character in the book. 

Ah, but now I think I have it. Dortmunder! He would make the perfect "Ruler of the Saturnalia." Dortmunder, master criminal extraordinaire -- as in extraordinarily unsuccessful. Dortmunder, as in "the gang that couldn't shoot straight." Really, it wouldn't matter what he commanded because whatever the intended consequence, that is not how it will turn out.  Dortmunder might command the orchestra to play a waltz but guaranteed they will end up playing, "The Chicken Dance" while the crowd dances a most elegant tango.  Nothing ever goes as Dortmunder has planned.

Task 2: Saturnalia was originally a celebration in  remembrance of the "Golden Age" of Graeco-Roman mythology, ruled over by  Saturn (Kronos in Greek), and during which humanity existed in a  utopian state of innocence, living off nature's bounty without having to  work.

Name a book describing / set in a fictional society in  which you might want to live or tell us, what -- in your view -- are 3  elements that you consider indispensable to a well-functioning society  in real life?   

Shelter, water and food for all. Healthcare for all, including mental healthcare. Education and job training for all. Not "the dole" but working together to achieve these goals from generation to generation.