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The World Inside

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description The World Inside Overview

The World Inside is a science fiction novel by Robert Silverberg, published in 1971. It is set in the year 2381, when most of Earth's population of 75 billion people lives inside massive urban towers called urbmons, each standing a thousand stories tall and housing hundreds of thousands of residents. Leaving the towers to venture outdoors is considered a serious social deviation. The novel explores themes of overpopulation, social conformity, and the psychological effects of extreme density.

It was nominated for major science fiction awards and is regarded as one of Silverberg's notable works.

help The World Inside FAQ

Who wrote the science fiction novel The World Inside?

The World Inside was written by acclaimed American science fiction author Robert Silverberg. It is one of his most famous dystopian works, exploring themes of severe overpopulation.

What is the premise of Robert Silverberg's The World Inside?

Published in 1971, the novel is set in the year 2381 when most of Earth's population of 75 billion people lives inside massive urban towers called urbmons. These colossal structures stand a thousand stories tall and house hundreds of thousands of residents.

What is an urbmon in The World Inside?

An urbmon, short for urban monad, is a massive, self-contained skyscraper that essentially functions as a vertical city. The novel explores the heavily regulated and culturally stagnant society that develops inside these claustrophobic mega-structures.

What happens if someone tries to leave the towers in The World Inside?

In the highly controlled society of the urbmons, individuals who express a desire to leave the towers or reject the system are considered dangerously subversive. These individuals are quickly labeled as flippants and are executed to maintain absolute order.

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