Measure for a Loner

"Measure for a Loner" by Jim Harmon is a mid-20th century science fiction story that grapples with the very human problem of loneliness amid the stars. Asked with finding a pilot for a deep-space journey aboard the 'Evening Star,' Dr. Thorn, a psychologist, must locate someone who can survive in total isolation. He finds two possible astronauts: Gordon Meyverik, a man who practices being alone, and Stan Johnson, who just enjoys being alone. As Dr. Thorn goes deeper into his search, he begins to question whether either man can truly survive the mission given the government's potential interference, exposing profound questions about loneliness, and the frightening impacts of a society that undervalues emotions.