You know, Richard listened to Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville while writing HH, and I played Michael Nesmith's Rio for inspiration while I worked on the graphic design. Sort of a laidback Father Goose meets McHale's Navy meets Talespin vibe overall.
But I have gotten emails from people who set up their games with master races and empires bent on conquest and massive battles across environs. Maybe the more hierarchical Uppers (type A right turners) go to the Hit Side where they rebuild the ratrace, while the Offbeats (type B left turners) end up in the HH Flip Side we know and love?
But seriously, Richard revealed to me that the HH were sandwiched between the outer shells of the Dyson Sphere built by Tehrmelern Alts who decided to batten down the hatches and wait out the Mellor threat, in part to act as an ark or bioreserve to rebuild from. Asian and Australian environs wouldn't be a problem. Evil Empires who started blowing up environs would probably get the exterminator called in. So... no canon, if a great twist for wargamers.
Sorry. Just rambling. Thanks for the inspiration.