The Uplift Sequence by David Brin
The Uplift Sequence is a science fiction series by David Brin that explores a universe in which advanced civilizations "uplift" lesser species, granting them sentience through genetic engineering. Central to the narrative is the Uplift Project, where humans have been enhancing chimpanzees and dolphins, enabling them to communicate and interact at a higher level. The protagonist, Dr. Jacob Alvarez Demwa, plays a pivotal role as he navigates the complexities of galactic society, including relationships with extraterrestrial beings and the ethical dilemmas surrounding uplifted species, often viewed as indentured by their patrons.
The series unfolds across three main novels: "Sundiver," "Startide Rising," and "The Uplift War." Each installment delves into the consequences of uplift, from the discovery of potential sentient life in the Sun to interstellar conflicts involving humans, dolphins, and other alien races. Themes of camaraderie, betrayal, and the struggle for identity are interwoven with the sociopolitical landscape of a galaxy steeped in ancient traditions and prejudices. The Uplift Sequence ultimately challenges readers to consider the moral implications of scientific advancement and the responsibilities that come with the power to elevate other species.
On this Page
The Uplift Sequence
First published:Sundiver (1980), Startide Rising (1983), and The Uplift War (1987)
Type of work: Novels
Type of plot: Science fiction—evolutionary fantasy
Time of work: Approximately 2245-2445
Locale: Earth, Mercury, and the planets Kithrup and Garth
The Plot
David Brin’s Sundiver introduces readers to his galactic society. Humans have been “uplifting” chimpanzees and dolphins into sentience; that is, through genetic engineering, each successive generation is better able to communicate in the “Anglic” language, use tools, and interact with humans.
Dr. Jacob Alvarez Demwa, the protagonist, is a scientist assigned to the Uplift Project, working mainly with dolphins. He also knows quite a few “Eatees” (ETs, or extraterrestrials). When he was a young boy, a spaceship from Earth encountered alien life, and Earth was thrust into a galactic society billions of years old, a society that revolves around “patron-client” relationships. Each sentient race was uplifted by an older race in a tradition stretching back to the mystical Progenitors, who have since departed for parts unknown. The uplift process is both altruistic and brutally practical, because most of the older races “indenture” their newly uplifted species as slaves. Humankind is considered a “wolfling” or upstart species because of its claim to have come to sentience by itself, a notion at which the galactics sneer, viewing it as impossible. They state instead that its patrons deserted humanity. The assorted ETs are also contemptuous of the way humans treat their “client” species, as partners rather than as slaves.
Demwa realizes that there are problems when a Kanten (a race resembling seven-foot-tall broccoli) diplomat named Fagin calls on him, yet he cannot resist seeing his old friend again. At a meeting in Baja California, Demwa is convinced to join a scientific expedition called the Sundiver Project. A group of scientists and militia led by Dr. Dwayne Kepler and Commander Helené deSilva have discovered what appears to be sentient life in the Sun. The race may be humanity’s lost patrons. Other races are dubious of the claim. Bubbacub, a Pila librarian assigned to the La Paz Branch of the Galactic Library on Earth, together with his client Culla, a Pring, accompany the group to discredit it, even resorting to murdering a chimpanzee scientist. Woven throughout the story are subplots involving possible treachery by Pierre LaRoque, a human reporter, and Dr. Millie Martine, a human psychiatrist.
Startide Rising takes place about two hundred years following the events in Sundiver. A dolphin-crewed ship called Streaker has eluded capture by the galactics and has crashed onto the watery planet Kithrup. The dolphins attempt to repair their craft in order to escape again. They are fleeing because they have stumbled across a derelict fleet of ships, each the size of a planet, containing the mummified bodies of an ancient sentient race. Each of the galactic civilizations believes that these may be the Progenitors, and each is determined to capture the Streaker and its crew in order to get the information.
Strife between dolphins and chimpanzees, and even within the dolphin community, abounds in this book. Adding stress are Dr. Ignacio Metz’s “special” species, dolphins illegally grafted with other genes, including one who is part-orca, a natural enemy of dolphins. Dr. Gillian Baskin and Thomas Orley, two human Terragens Council members, together with their human and dolphin allies, try to hold off this interstellar mutiny and return to Earth with their prize.
The Uplift War tells of the ramifications following the story begun in Startide Rising. Earth, with its allies the Tymbrimi and their colony worlds, are besieged by alien armadas. Other allies, such as the Synthians, remain undecided or neutral in the universe-spanning conflict. The backwater human planet of Garth is invaded by the Gubru, a birdlike race. When the human population is rendered hostage or dead by a poisonous gas, Garth’s chimpanzee population must persevere. One human, Robert Oneagle, son of the planetary coordinator, remains at large. Rebel forces are led by Robert; his consort, Athaclena, daughter of the Tymbrimi ambassador, Uthacalthing; and various chimps including Fiben Bolger and Dr. Gailet Jones.
Uthacalthing and the Thenannin ambassador, Gault, escape as well. The joke-loving Tymbrimi try to make everyone believe there are “Garthlings,” mythical presentient beings, loose on the planet. What they do not know is that human and chimpanzee scientists have brought gorillas to the planet in order to uplift them, an act forbidden by galactic law. Although Thenannin are officially at war with humans and Tymbrimi, Gault and Uthacalthing develop a friendship that leads to an alliance with the hulking race.