Science Fiction + Animal Rights = The Keepers April 25, 2008

So here's the thing—I am a straight-up sci-fi nerd. I definitely have a collection of old Star Wars action figures, and I was definitely there at midnight for the first screening of all three prequels (but don't front, you know you were too). Which is why when I heard about The Keepers—a new trilogy of science-fiction novels by Rick Friar with some serious animal rights themes going on—I needed to share the love. Think Battlestar Galactica meets Animal Liberation meets...I don't know, Awesome City.

I sat down with Rick to pick his ridiculously large brain about the book, animal rights, light sabers, and being vegan. He also hooked us up with an autographed copy of the book, along with a t-shirt featuring one of the Animalians (more on that later), to give away. The person who comments back with the best Star Wars quote wins the prize.*

Don't win? Pick up The Keepers yourself! Now, witness the power of this fully armed and operational interview.

What made you want to write The Keepers?
I've long known I was going to be a writer. It was always my passion. However, The Keepers made itself. My other two passions, animal rights and history coalesced with my love for writing to create the storyline. I was reading about everything from Plato to World War II and I came to see how certain patterns repeat themselves and that we seem to be on the verge of one of the cycles of chaos. I also saw how vegetarianism and kindness towards animals was not some trendy concept as many tend to think. It has roots which step deep into antiquity. For instance, Socrates and Plato were vegetarians because they had been disgusted by the sacrifice of animals in Athens. The Bible has many vegetarian elements, which seem to portray God as saying that all things should be herbivores.

And what's an Animalian, exactly?
The Animalian Projects form the crux for this trilogy. They are based off the field of science and engineering known as biomimicry, which literally means "imitating life." Biomimicry had produced a wide-range of inventions, such as Velcro, which was created when a Swiss man hiking through the Alps was inspired by the burrs that attached to his socks. Burrs are those small seed casings with many small hooks in them. But, biomimicry when it comes to imitating animals fits nowhere better than in the military spectrum. The reason for this is simple. Animals have been at war with each other for billions of years and, in that time, they have honed their physical designs and capabilities to best move about on planet Earth. Fans have written me that, seeing how humans can learn from the animal kingdom, gives them a respect for it.

How do your beliefs about animal rights play in to the book?
My beliefs about animal rights come out as a cathartic romp through the endeavors of a charismatic, silver-tongued tyrant by the name of Geiseric. From what feedback I've received, my fellow animal rights activists are enjoying the vicarious thrill of seeing how this man takes charge, gets thing done by hook or by crook, and enforces Isaianism upon the world. The Isaianic movement centers around Isaiah's prophecies that in the end times there would be an end to all killing, in the human and animal world. True world peace. However, to accomplish his Utopian vision, Geiseric is willing to use any means necessary, including political manipulation and total war. What is extremely fascinating to me is how palatable this character is to the masses. Those who are not animal rights activists are intrigued by this man and, though they disagree with his views, they can't but love his wit and determination, even when it's being skillful and unrelenting at such controversial aims. As one fan wrote, "He's a totalitarian prick, but damn it, I love him!" One thing I've learned is that, while people may like a compassionate hero, everyone loves a badass.

I know that you're a vegetarian—what made you make the switch in the first place?
I was always an animal-lover. Besides the fact that my family had three dogs, one of which we saved on the side of the road, we always supported a number of specific causes such as saving the Arctic Wolf and stopping fur. But, my family and I had yet to link our ideals to the ultimate cruelty, which is the meat industry. Logic eventually led us to see that debasing an animal that is like our beloved pets to nothing more than a meal is abominable, forget the fact that's it's also one of the most torturous of the industries.

Do you think the book will inspire people to think differently about animals?
Absolutely. I did not write this book to preach to the choir. As I said earlier, animal rights activists have certainly expressed as much excitement about the story as anyone. However, I purposefully set Geiseric as an anti-hero, instead of the all out protagonist, which is Logan. If a radical animal rights activist were the hero, the masses would put the book right down. However, if he is the "bad guy," he can say whatever he wants, make as poignant arguments as possible, and the regular person will keep on reading. But, what if that bad guy starts to grow on you until you actually like, even respect him. I heard you say at an event one time that the worst thing for a movement is silence. This will get the people talking about it.

Who would win in a light saber duel—your main character Logan, or Colonel Sanders?
Well, certainly Logan would win in such a duel, for Logan is a well-trained swordsman!

So when The Keepers gets made into a huge summer blockbuster starring Will Smith and you're rolling around in a room full of royalty checks, you won't forget about your pals over at peta2, right?

You know it.

-Dan

*The contest will end on April 28th and we will pick a winner by May 2nd. And just so you know...by commenting here, we're taking that as acknowledgment that you've read and agreed to our privacy policy, and that you are agreeing to the following terms and conditions.

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