True Names. . . And Other Dangers

Vernor Vinge

Language: English

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Fantasy Fiction Science Fiction Science Fiction - Hard Science Fiction - High Tech

Publisher: Tor

Published: Dec 15, 2001

Date Read: Nov 27, 2002
Form: Novella
Pages: 93
Read Status: read
Shelves: read, books-i-recommend
Word Count: 30510

Description:

Once in a great while a science fiction story is so visionary, yet so close to impending scientific developments that it becomes not only an accurate predictor, but itself the locus for new discoveries and development. True Names by Vernor Vinge, first published in 1981, is such a work.

Here is a feast of articles by computer scientists and journalists on the cutting edge of the field, writing about innovations and developments of the Internet, including, among others:

Danny Hillis: Founder of thinking machines and the first Disney Fellow.

Timothy C. May: former chief scientist at Intel--a major insider in the field of computers and technology.

Marvin Minsky: Cofounder of the MIT Artificial Intelligence Lab.

Chip Morningstar and F. Randall Farmer: Codevelopers of habitat, the first real computer interactive environment.

Mark Pesce: Cocreator of VRML and the author of the Playful World: How Technology Transforms Our Imagination.

Richard M. Stallman: Research affiliate with MIT; the founder of the Free Software Movement.

In the age of computerized magic, witches and warlocks use scalp-connectors and customized software instead of spells. Most of their "sorcery" is petty, but now someone or something is threatening to upset the balance of power, not only in the electronic underground, but also in the real world.