I've been trying to think of the name of an older Sci-Fi novel (or maybe a collection of short stories, I'm not too sure) but for the life of me, I just can't put my finger on it.
All I can remember is that it has to do with humanity reaching the edge of the solar system and discovering that there is actually a great barrier enclosing the solar system. We break the barrier and discover that every other life-supporting system out there has a similar barrier - one that can only be broken from the inside.
Apparently some cosmic force designed the barriers to serve as a guaranty that one civilization wouldn't expand before all others, and conquer the other, more primitive ones. Once you break the barrier, your protection is gone.
That's really all I remember about the story - just the major plot points, nothing about specific characters or anything.
Can any Sci-Fi buffs help me out?
Nevermind, I found it.
To any wondering, it is The Crystal Spheres by David Brin.
All I can remember is that it has to do with humanity reaching the edge of the solar system and discovering that there is actually a great barrier enclosing the solar system. We break the barrier and discover that every other life-supporting system out there has a similar barrier - one that can only be broken from the inside.
Apparently some cosmic force designed the barriers to serve as a guaranty that one civilization wouldn't expand before all others, and conquer the other, more primitive ones. Once you break the barrier, your protection is gone.
That's really all I remember about the story - just the major plot points, nothing about specific characters or anything.
Can any Sci-Fi buffs help me out?
Nevermind, I found it.
To any wondering, it is The Crystal Spheres by David Brin.
