Charlie StrossJul 30, 2023
Psst: if you're on my crit list on Dreamwidth (closed, not taking new applications, thanks), you might want to check out what I just uploaded there.
Show threadCharlie StrossJul 30, 2023

Addendum: this is draft 2 of the space opera that, well, my elevator pitch was "Iain isn't writing any more, alas, so let's see if I can do something that makes readers feel the same way as his Culture novels without in any way being derivative of the Culture".

It's probably a failure on those terms, but I had to try, right?

Show threadCharlie StrossJul 30, 2023
I will note that there is a lot more to the Culture universe than chatty starships with odd names: Iain was a litfic author writing in a space opera setting, so there's that.
Show threadRooftopJacksJul 30, 2023
@cstross are there loads of knife missiles?
Show threadCharlie StrossJul 30, 2023

@rooftopaxx No knife missiles whatsoever! Not even any AIs. There is some cute bioengineering, though. And a high concept: what is the universe going to look like in a post-science age (by which I mean, all achievable insights have long since been achieved, so there are no new breakthroughs, only stamp-collecting)?

At least the starships have notable names ...

Show threadSean Eric FaganJul 30, 2023
@cstross *blink* No AI? That's a change.
Show threadCharlie StrossJul 30, 2023
@kithrup Core conceit: "what if there's no singularity because AI is impossible, but everyone still believes in it as a matter of religious faith?"
Show threadSean Eric FaganJul 30, 2023

@cstross A couple of decades back at a worldcon in San Jose, I asked Vinge: Why does everyone assume machine intelligences will be *faster*?

I assume machine intelligences are possible, because the universe doesn't otherwise make sense, but that doesn't mean a Vingean Singularity is possible.

Show threadPaul "Princejvstin" Weimer
@kithrup @cstross that definitely leans into the zones of thought
Jul 30, 2023 at 7:31pmWeb