Esta é a Persistência da Visão de John Varley, onde os fundadores originais da a comunidade de Keller é cega, surda e muda como resultado de um surto de sarampo alemão. Seus filhos não são hereditariamente deficientes, mas sugere-se que, no final, eles possam optar por eliminar seus sentidos de visão e audição.
A keen drifter describes the dismal political state of the world following a general collapse. He comes upon a commune of people who are blind, deaf, and mute. Much of the story details the culture and personal habits of the people. As their main cultural activity the commune uses different levels of touch-based communication on a regular basis, perhaps 3-4 times a week, in group sessions. These occur after work done during the days. Through these sensory communication encounters the protagonist develops strong bonds with several of the members.
The commune members emphasize mutual understanding to overcome their physical limitations. Their rich use of unspoken/unseen tactile language is used to establish intense clarity about others, a depth of clarity unobtainable using the senses of hearing and vision conventionally. Sex is part of their communication language.
Varley carefully steers clear of representing the blind/deaf commune as a Utopia; they have financial problems, crop failures, criminal justice enigmas, etc. Nevertheless, the commune is clearly free of most of the evils pervading the rest of society. The supposition is this is owed to the unusual high level of communication and sensitivity toward each people achieved on a regular basis. The novella progresses to suggest a higher level of interpersonal clarity and communication is achievable without conventional seeing and hearing; that, being blind and deaf offers unforeseen advantages in interpersonal and even spiritual clarity. The story raises the question, "Is being blind and deaf a handicap, or is it a blessing?" The reader is left to judge.
Eu encontrei uma versão audiobook da história. Ele termina com o vagabundo retornando à comuna de Keller, que é em grande parte deserta, e é informado por um dos residentes restantes que "eles se foram", que eles "fitaram" e que "foi glorioso ". Ela então o presenteia com surdez e cegueira para que ele também aprendesse a "viver na adorável quietude e escuridão".