Instinct by George O. Smith (1952)
Instinct, by George O. Smith, is a science fiction novel that explores the concept of instinct and its role in human evolution. The story follows a group of scientists who discover a way to enhance human instincts through genetic engineering. As they experiment with their new technology, they uncover dark secrets about the true nature of humanity's past and future.
By George O. Smith · First published 1952 · Genre: Science Fiction, Speculative Fiction, Adventure · 5,401 words
First lines
You can keep a good man down, if you've got enough headstart, are alert and persistent. so long as he limits himself to acting like a good man.
IT WAS 047-63-10 when he opened the door. Before his superior could chew him for prepunctuality, Huvane said as the chief looked up and opened his mouth to start:
What this Textopian page supports
Instinct is listed on Textopian as a novel by George O. Smith, dated 1952 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: George O. Smith
- Date: 1952 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Science Fiction, Speculative Fiction, Adventure, Psychological Fiction, Dystopian
- Length: 5,401 words
- Structure: 1 section, 127 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Instinct by George O. Smith
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Instinct?
- How does this novel by George O. Smith fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Science Fiction first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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Genres
- Science Fiction — The narrative involves advanced technology, space travel, and interactions with extraterrestrial beings, which are hallmarks of science fiction.
- Speculative Fiction — The story explores hypothetical scenarios involving human evolution and interstellar relations, fitting the speculative fiction genre.
- Adventure — The plot follows a protagonist on a space mission, encountering challenges and unknowns, typical of adventure stories.
- Psychological Fiction — The narrative delves into the psychological effects of isolation and sensory deprivation on the protagonist.
Tags
science fiction · psychology · instinct · human behavior · exploration · technology · ethics · society · evolution · conflict · intelligence · survival