Genius of the Species

"Genius of the Species" is a science fiction short story by American writer Reginald Bretnor. It was first published (under the name "R. Bretnor") in the 1954 anthology 9 Tales of Space and Time edited by Raymond Healy.[1]

Plot summary

The story is set in the Soviet Union where a rat problem is getting out of control due to the laziness of cats. This problem is solved by a government program to use artificial means to raise the intelligence of cats to an IQ of 20.2 so that they can be taught Marxism and subsequently realize catching rats is for the greater good. However, due to a calculation error on part of the scientist responsible for this program, the cats end up with an IQ of 202 rather than 20.2. With this superior intellect cats become the dominant species in the Communist world.

References

  1. ^ "Time Is a Dream; 9 TALES OF SPACE AND TIME. Edited by Raymond J. Healy. 307 pp. New York: Henry Holt & Co. $3.50". New York Times. 11 July 1954. Retrieved 18 July 2025.


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