I've wondered for a while now whether the reference to Mizar V are supposed to in some way link to the planet Mizar VI in an american sci-fi novel called 'Star Kings' written by Jack Vance. The inhabitants are all part of this strange religious sect, are super pious, ordered, and identical, doing the same things all the time. Maybe the song is describing people going to this place called Mizar V (where all bets are off), because the place next door (Mizar VI) is too up-tight, and people didn't want to live there anymore? This would explain why there was a 'boom'?
The book was written in the sixties, and had some circulation in magazines as a serial as well, so it works as a physical possibility. Could that maybe be the reference? It's hard to know, though - did either Fagen or Becker read much sci-fi? Might be a bit of a leap, but I thought it was a fun suggestion. :D
@nubbins I think this is just coincidence. Mizar is an actual star in the handle of the Dipper, prominent enough to have one of the old original Arab names. Science fiction authors love to use such stars as the sites of supposed planetary systems for their novels. The more exotic names get used more often, so you can almost always find some SF author who used it.
@nubbins I think this is just coincidence. Mizar is an actual star in the handle of the Dipper, prominent enough to have one of the old original Arab names. Science fiction authors love to use such stars as the sites of supposed planetary systems for their novels. The more exotic names get used more often, so you can almost always find some SF author who used it.
@nubbins "did either Fagen or Becker read much sci-fi?" My guess is yes. These guys do significantly more sci-fi songs than their contemporaries. This one, King of The World, Tomorrow's Girls, Trans-Island Skyway. Kamakiriad... (Some people claim Pretzel Logic is a time-travel song, I remain unconvinced.)
There's also the IGY/New Frontier arc, which to me honestly reflects the "science fiction future" we were all promised back in the '50s.
@nubbins "did either Fagen or Becker read much sci-fi?" My guess is yes. These guys do significantly more sci-fi songs than their contemporaries. This one, King of The World, Tomorrow's Girls, Trans-Island Skyway. Kamakiriad... (Some people claim Pretzel Logic is a time-travel song, I remain unconvinced.)
There's also the IGY/New Frontier arc, which to me honestly reflects the "science fiction future" we were all promised back in the '50s.
@nubbins I think “scurvy brother” could have a comma in between. Meaning he isn’t saying your are a “scurvy brother”, he is saying “you are another scurvy….my brother”. You are just another disease.
@nubbins I think “scurvy brother” could have a comma in between. Meaning he isn’t saying your are a “scurvy brother”, he is saying “you are another scurvy….my brother”. You are just another disease.
I've wondered for a while now whether the reference to Mizar V are supposed to in some way link to the planet Mizar VI in an american sci-fi novel called 'Star Kings' written by Jack Vance. The inhabitants are all part of this strange religious sect, are super pious, ordered, and identical, doing the same things all the time. Maybe the song is describing people going to this place called Mizar V (where all bets are off), because the place next door (Mizar VI) is too up-tight, and people didn't want to live there anymore? This would explain why there was a 'boom'?
The book was written in the sixties, and had some circulation in magazines as a serial as well, so it works as a physical possibility. Could that maybe be the reference? It's hard to know, though - did either Fagen or Becker read much sci-fi? Might be a bit of a leap, but I thought it was a fun suggestion. :D
@nubbins I think this is just coincidence. Mizar is an actual star in the handle of the Dipper, prominent enough to have one of the old original Arab names. Science fiction authors love to use such stars as the sites of supposed planetary systems for their novels. The more exotic names get used more often, so you can almost always find some SF author who used it.
@nubbins I think this is just coincidence. Mizar is an actual star in the handle of the Dipper, prominent enough to have one of the old original Arab names. Science fiction authors love to use such stars as the sites of supposed planetary systems for their novels. The more exotic names get used more often, so you can almost always find some SF author who used it.
@nubbins "did either Fagen or Becker read much sci-fi?" My guess is yes. These guys do significantly more sci-fi songs than their contemporaries. This one, King of The World, Tomorrow's Girls, Trans-Island Skyway. Kamakiriad... (Some people claim Pretzel Logic is a time-travel song, I remain unconvinced.) There's also the IGY/New Frontier arc, which to me honestly reflects the "science fiction future" we were all promised back in the '50s.
@nubbins "did either Fagen or Becker read much sci-fi?" My guess is yes. These guys do significantly more sci-fi songs than their contemporaries. This one, King of The World, Tomorrow's Girls, Trans-Island Skyway. Kamakiriad... (Some people claim Pretzel Logic is a time-travel song, I remain unconvinced.) There's also the IGY/New Frontier arc, which to me honestly reflects the "science fiction future" we were all promised back in the '50s.
@nubbins I think “scurvy brother” could have a comma in between. Meaning he isn’t saying your are a “scurvy brother”, he is saying “you are another scurvy….my brother”. You are just another disease.
@nubbins I think “scurvy brother” could have a comma in between. Meaning he isn’t saying your are a “scurvy brother”, he is saying “you are another scurvy….my brother”. You are just another disease.