That's so great to hear - it's definitely not a light read and I was worried people wouldn't follow all the twists and turns so I'm happy at least one person got through it all ;)
I’ve long been obsessed by cultural evolution. I think it began from an interest in fashion as a spread of ideas, in my very early teens. As a sci-fi nerd, in my late teens I was lucky enough to come across the work of Greg Eagan, whose works feel very much part of a lineage that lead to those of Chiang. Your paradoxical suggestion of “a fanatical devotion to the avoidance of fanatical devotion” lands smack bang onto the notion explored by Egan in the final story of Axiomatic, the first collection of short stories he published. The story is titled, UNSTABLE ORBITS IN THE SPACE OF LIES. In case you’ve not yet read it, I’ll say no more --other than Axiomatic’s definitely one of those books where I envy all those that have not yet read it, for the experience of first reading it that awaits them.
Thanks James :)
I mean, a contender to be among my favourite long reads of the year.
That's so great to hear - it's definitely not a light read and I was worried people wouldn't follow all the twists and turns so I'm happy at least one person got through it all ;)
I’ve long been obsessed by cultural evolution. I think it began from an interest in fashion as a spread of ideas, in my very early teens. As a sci-fi nerd, in my late teens I was lucky enough to come across the work of Greg Eagan, whose works feel very much part of a lineage that lead to those of Chiang. Your paradoxical suggestion of “a fanatical devotion to the avoidance of fanatical devotion” lands smack bang onto the notion explored by Egan in the final story of Axiomatic, the first collection of short stories he published. The story is titled, UNSTABLE ORBITS IN THE SPACE OF LIES. In case you’ve not yet read it, I’ll say no more --other than Axiomatic’s definitely one of those books where I envy all those that have not yet read it, for the experience of first reading it that awaits them.
Ohhh I'm intrigued, haven't read any Egan but heard good things, putting it on the list...
I’m there with you on “the list” problem https://atomless.substack.com/p/reading-list-bankruptcy
But honestly that story of Egan’s is so bang on in regard to your “devotion to the avoidance of fanatical devotion” it is uncanny