• dnzm
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    11 months ago

    Iain M. Banks: we’re living in an AI-regulated Utopia, but the AI that we totally trust might be doing some light imperialism on the side.

    Pratchett / Baxter: we’re headed for some bleak imperialist nonsense, and another one, and another one, and another one, and oops, a blank…

    Edit: added the Long Earth one.

    • eestileib@sh.itjust.works
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      11 months ago

      The Culture stuff is great but nothing tops The Algebraist. A near-perfect standalone sf doorstop imo.

      Big ideas, some laughs, a mystery that you can solve if you’re paying attention, strong characters, interesting aliens…

      The last one that hit that sweet spot for me was Mother of Storms by John Barnes.

      • dnzm
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        11 months ago

        Hadn’t read The Algebraist yet, so there’s a new one on my list. Thanks! I’ll make sure to check out Barnes, too.

      • dnzm
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        11 months ago

        Actually, you’re right.

        Oh well, a humanity, then, just not ours.