The software engineer parallel science fiction canon is really interesting. It's not just Bjartur, I'm thinking of people like Theia Vogel, Fernando Borretti, and I think qntm fits here too. Their best stuff is at least as good as what gets lauded by the SF establishment. I think at this point it's a new movement separate from the mainstream with different influences, eg Vinge, Egan, and so much Borges. It's the most interesting thing happening in SF right now, partly because (as you mention) they are the only ones actually engaging with current AI.
I should get around to writing a post laying out what I think are the best examples, the history of the genre, and its influences.
"In the beginning was the Word. Then came the fucking word processor. Then came the thought processor. Then came the death of literature. And so it goes."
Which of his stories have you tried reading? I think The Distaff Texts and Lobsang’s Children require a lot of critical reading, but That Mad Olympiad and The Company Man should be relatively straightforward.
I've tried reading all of them and found The Distaff Texts and Lobsang's Children very difficult. I liked the Elect because it felt easy to read with a clear and obvious plot for someone intellectually disabled like me. Nice to be able to share a little bit in the cultural heritage of the pre-singularity era.
The software engineer parallel science fiction canon is really interesting. It's not just Bjartur, I'm thinking of people like Theia Vogel, Fernando Borretti, and I think qntm fits here too. Their best stuff is at least as good as what gets lauded by the SF establishment. I think at this point it's a new movement separate from the mainstream with different influences, eg Vinge, Egan, and so much Borges. It's the most interesting thing happening in SF right now, partly because (as you mention) they are the only ones actually engaging with current AI.
I should get around to writing a post laying out what I think are the best examples, the history of the genre, and its influences.
"In the beginning was the Word. Then came the fucking word processor. Then came the thought processor. Then came the death of literature. And so it goes."
Incredible rec thank you! I’d read snippets before and been impressed. Truly layers to it
Thank you! Let me know if you end up reading full stories by him, would love to see your comments. :)
I wish my reading level was high enough to understand his stories
Which of his stories have you tried reading? I think The Distaff Texts and Lobsang’s Children require a lot of critical reading, but That Mad Olympiad and The Company Man should be relatively straightforward.
I've tried reading all of them and found The Distaff Texts and Lobsang's Children very difficult. I liked the Elect because it felt easy to read with a clear and obvious plot for someone intellectually disabled like me. Nice to be able to share a little bit in the cultural heritage of the pre-singularity era.