# Human Nature and Impulsiveness in Short Science Fiction

> Theme guide for Short Science Fiction by Noel Loomis.

Characters repeatedly act on impulse, emotion, or short-sightedness, leading to crises—from a president eating too much ice cream before a war to a man about to burn a city—highlighting the tension between rational planning and human fallibility.

## Where it surfaces

- [Electron Eat Electron](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_science_fiction_2_se/chapters/electron-eat-electron): Hoshawk's distrust of Wadsworth's youth and impulsiveness contrasts with Wadsworth's calculated patience, exploring the tension between instinct and strategy.
- [The Bryd](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_science_fiction_2_se/chapters/the-bryd): The Bryd observes the instability and impulsiveness of humans, as seen in Dale's actions and the foreign agent's manipulation.
- [Remember the 4th!](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_science_fiction_2_se/chapters/remember-the-4th): Doc's impulsive destruction of the Brain-Finder, driven by empathy and guilt, contrasts with Slim's calculated approach, showing the tension between emotion and logic.
- [The Mischievous Typesetter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_science_fiction_2_se/chapters/the-mischievous-typesetter): High-Pockets' impulsive decisions and the judge's emotional reactions drive the conflict, while No. 7's behavior seems to mirror human caprice.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_science_fiction_2_se/themes/human_nature_and_impulsiveness
- Themes index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_science_fiction_2_se/themes