I started reading this book and was almost bored by it. But, as I kept reading, I was drawn in by the interesting concepts. I would still say that the writing is mediocre, but the ideas are very interesting. They focus on biology and the evolution of chemical techniques on the human brain, as well as an extrapolation of what the Internet might become -- a "maelstrom" of self-evolving worms and virii which makes up 50% or more of the 'net traffic.
I was hoping for an online version of the references on Peter Watts' website, but no such luck. The references go into more detail about how his ideas diverge from what is known or known to possible today, including interesting parts on how genetic algorithms, speeded up enough, could essentially masquerade as intelligence.
As well, much of the action of the novel takes place in Canada, so it's always a thrill to note not just Canadian place names but what they have become, "Hongcouver" seeming a particularly fitting aspect.
So, summing it up, struggle through the first bit, but hang on for the full read: you'll enjoy the concepts presented and mull over what kind of world we could actually end up with. Did I mention it was rather dark?
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I started reading this book a
I started reading this book and was almost bored by it. But, as I kept reading, I was drawn in by the interesting concepts. I would still say that the writing is mediocre, but the ideas are very interesting. They focus on biology and the evolution of chemical techniques on the human brain, as well as an extrapolation of what the Internet might become -- a "maelstrom" of self-evolving worms and virii which makes up 50% or more of the 'net traffic.
I was hoping for an online version of the references on Peter Watts' website, but no such luck. The references go into more detail about how his ideas diverge from what is known or known to possible today, including interesting parts on how genetic algorithms, speeded up enough, could essentially masquerade as intelligence.
As well, much of the action of the novel takes place in Canada, so it's always a thrill to note not just Canadian place names but what they have become, "Hongcouver" seeming a particularly fitting aspect.
So, summing it up, struggle through the first bit, but hang on for the full read: you'll enjoy the concepts presented and mull over what kind of world we could actually end up with. Did I mention it was rather dark?