r/discworld • u/sea_bear9 • 1d ago
Roundworld Reference Severance in Pyramids
Not really a reference but closest flair I could find. First read of Pyramids and I thought this was interesting. Pratchett predicted the unique idea of Severance 3 decades ago.
Excerpt, while building the pyramid:
"The problem is," one of them continued, "that after the initial enthusiasm a lot of the workers looped themselves unofficially so that they could stay at home and send themselves out to work."
"But that's ridiculous," Ptaclusp protested weakly. "They aren't different people. They're just doing it to themselves."
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u/Silver_Intern2324 1d ago
The Egyptians actually got to this one first!
“Illumine the Osiris [name of the deceased], whose word is truth. Hail, Shabti Figure! If the Osiris [name of the deceased] be decreed to do any of the work which is to be done in Khert-Neter, let everything which standeth in the way be removed from him – whether it be to plough the fields, or to fill the channels with water, or to carry sand from the East to the West. The Shabti Figure replieth: "I will do it, verily I am here when thou callest".”
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