Thursday, December 28, 2017

Nexus


Nexus is the first book in a trilogy by Ramez Naam. I found this an interesting read with relevance to current issues. It's maybe a bit too deliberately relevant to suit me, and I probably won't read the sequels.

from the back of the book:
MANKIND GETS AN UPGRADE

In the near future, the experimental nano-drug Nexus can cause humans to link together, mind to mind. There are some who want to improve it. There are some who want to eradicate it. And there are others who just want to exploit it.

When a young scientist is caught improving Nexus, he's thrust was over his head into a world of danger and international espionage, for there is far more at stake than anyone realizes.
favorite quotes:
It had been the most painful, most confusing, most troubling six months of his life. But it had opened his eyes. And eyes, once opened, seldom closed again.
*******
"Communism, capitalism, all the same. The powerful want resources. Water. Natural gas. Uranium. The powerful see them, reach out their hand and scoop them up, and who cares who they crush in the process, eh? Dictatorships and democracies, all alike. Your precious democracy doesn't care about us, does it? All men are created equal, eh? We all have inalienable rights. Unless we live so very far away, perhaps? You Americans defeated your British king because he was a dictator. We are the same. We will defeat our dictator, even if you oppose us."
*******
We're all born dying, someone had said. What matters is only how we spend the instant we're given.
*******

The Guardian says, "Ramez does a brilliant job of examining the ramifications of upgrading humankind and combines in‑depth philosophising –occasionally resorting to clunky info-dumps– with effective action sequences in a mind‑expanding cyber-thriller." Wired praises it, calling it "a bleeding edge technical thriller that is full of surprises."

io9 says, "overall it's a fast, fun read which is both emotionally engaging and thought-provoking. You'll be mulling over the implications of Nexus — the book and the drug — long after you put the book down." Strange Horizons says it's "a modern-day Edisonade" and calls it frustrating.

8 comments:

  1. I don't read tons of sci fi, but the whole concept here is interesting. I like how you said there is a thriller part to it. Happy day, and hope you are warm. It is -25 with wind chill here today. Hugs-Erika

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    1. Wow! Our low last night was 18. It's 23 now (at 10 AM) with a wind chill of 16. And I thought it was cold _here_!

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  2. Sounds really intersting!
    I am here to wish you a happy start into the New Year dear Divers!
    All the best for you!
    oxo Susi

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    1. And Happy New Year to you and yours! I see you're on Google+, which I'm but have never used. It looks like an interesting alternative to Facebook, but I've never really figured it out.

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  3. This may be too relevant, I agree. I'm a huge sci-fi fan, but I'm not sure this one is my cup of cappuccino, Thanks for the review, though. And since you are still in Christmas mode, merry Christmas, too.

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    1. Thx! Yes, we celebrate Christmas through all 12 days :) We are enthusiastic in our Christmas observance.

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  4. If you didn't like it I would pass.
    Cold here, too. This coming weekend we are supposed to have a high of -10 and a low of -28. Right now it is -12...says feels like -30--lol! I don't think I'll go outside to check. ;)

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    1. It's warming up here, currently 36 with an expected high of 43. Sunday/Monday/Tuesday it's supposed to drop again, but the lowest temp we're expecting is 9 on Monday night. Those negative temps you're getting! Staying in is the way to go! Brrrrr!

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