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Book review: There Is No Antimemetics Division

stephendiehl.com

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Re: Book review: There Is No Antimemetics Division

#131

Post by SamoyedFurFluff »

gravypod wrote: post #129
mjg2 wrote: post #87

I just finished this book and complained about it the whole time. The prose is amateur and peppered with cliches (e.g. you should be fined for publishing the phrase "their suit was so sharp it could cut"). His attempt to write about the inner thoughts of the characters was pretty simple. The descriptions of violence and horror also felt child-like, especially the dialogue during those moments (e.g. Redd's introductio…

Do you have any recommendations for science fiction books that explore interesting ideas? There is no Antimemetics Division was really interesting in how some of the scenarios play out. I don't read much but I've been trying to do that more. I really liked the book. Things like the memory consuming entity, async research, etc I enjoyed.

I really like Ray Nayler’s work, who intersects his real experience in international politics with science fiction technology. His Tusks of Extinction uses the sci-fi notion of brain transfer and bringing back mammoths to explore the economical pressures behind poaching. His “Where the axe is buried” explores surveillance state technology with political bodies that feel like real modern nations.

Re: Book review: There Is No Antimemetics Division

#132

Post by bluewin »

frankfrank13 wrote: post #3

I have not read this book. I've been avoiding it for a while for the dumbest possible reason, which is that I only associate this book with SWE's.

Researcher here, if you like antimemes as a concept then this is a nice treatment that introduces people to what it means and how one needs to think around them in order to function.

It's a bit off kilter but well worth it

Re: Book review: There Is No Antimemetics Division

#133

Post by yaky »

gravypod wrote: post #129
mjg2 wrote: post #87

I just finished this book and complained about it the whole time. The prose is amateur and peppered with cliches (e.g. you should be fined for publishing the phrase "their suit was so sharp it could cut"). His attempt to write about the inner thoughts of the characters was pretty simple. The descriptions of violence and horror also felt child-like, especially the dialogue during those moments (e.g. Redd's introductio…

Do you have any recommendations for science fiction books that explore interesting ideas? There is no Antimemetics Division was really interesting in how some of the scenarios play out. I don't read much but I've been trying to do that more. I really liked the book. Things like the memory consuming entity, async research, etc I enjoyed.

Blindsight by Peter Watts explores interesting ideas about conscience and intelligence, but these ideas are wrapped in a mediocre action movie plot that becomes nonsensical by the end.

Re: Book review: There Is No Antimemetics Division

#134

Post by nusl »

rapnie wrote: post #112
nusl wrote: post #103

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I suppose this joke only works when you've read it. I should take my meds, else I'll forget.

Just took mine. Please take proper quarantine measures when reading back these comments then, or you'll put us all at risk.

Log entry: Tried building a wall out of hard drives, but Gate walked around them and kept coming. Walls of information ineffective. I've forgotten my name, so I suspect this may be my final entry.

Re: Book review: There Is No Antimemetics Division

#135

Post by bluewin »

doug_durham wrote: post #71
aaroninsf wrote: post #52

I read this. It's got some provocative ideas, which Stephen foregrounds. It's got a great hook, and like most writing incubated under circumstances like this, it leans hard into polished sharp introduction into a well-considered world with a very specific flavor. It's also—no better way to put it—crappy as a novel. It's not because the author can't string sentences together. It's because that's not what makes a novel…

I am a "silverback" and have read all of the classics of the SciFi genre and I loved this novel. An unconventional topic like this isn't going to fit all of the norms of writing. I thought it was well written and I love his dialog. I'm looking forward to future work.

Yeah, it's trying to cohere the structure of the book with the topic matter which I really appreciate. It doesn't always quite land, but I think it was really worthwhile. Although I can understand how someone who is looking for a "normal" novel might be dissatisfied. But to me it's a bit like house of leaves, you need to accept the meta-conceit of the book being subject to the effect of its contents.

Re: Book review: There Is No Antimemetics Division

#137

Post by nusl »

throw4847285 wrote: post #109
nusl wrote: post #106

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's worth a read, at least the first half, just because it's really fun.

Exactly what a SWE would say.

I'm not a Single-Wombat Entity if that's what you're accusing me of. I do, in-fact, have multiple wombats making up my person.

Re: Book review: There Is No Antimemetics Division

#138

Post by bluewin »

mjg2 wrote: post #87

I just finished this book and complained about it the whole time. The prose is amateur and peppered with cliches (e.g. you should be fined for publishing the phrase "their suit was so sharp it could cut"). His attempt to write about the inner thoughts of the characters was pretty simple. The descriptions of violence and horror also felt child-like, especially the dialogue during those moments (e.g. Redd's introductio…

I'd push back on the redaction point. One of the primary conceits of the book is that the information is generally affected, which includes the contents of the book itself. While doing multiple pages is kinda taking the piss, the general idea is much better than just verbally stating it is hard to remember.

Re: Book review: There Is No Antimemetics Division

#139

Post by bluewin »

gravypod wrote: post #129
mjg2 wrote: post #87

I just finished this book and complained about it the whole time. The prose is amateur and peppered with cliches (e.g. you should be fined for publishing the phrase "their suit was so sharp it could cut"). His attempt to write about the inner thoughts of the characters was pretty simple. The descriptions of violence and horror also felt child-like, especially the dialogue during those moments (e.g. Redd's introductio…

Do you have any recommendations for science fiction books that explore interesting ideas? There is no Antimemetics Division was really interesting in how some of the scenarios play out. I don't read much but I've been trying to do that more. I really liked the book. Things like the memory consuming entity, async research, etc I enjoyed.

Annihilation By Jeff VanderMeer

Diaspora by Greg Egan

Anathem by Neal Stephenson (this one is a bit like doing homework but worth it imo)

If you vibe with short stories Exhalation by Ted Chiang Crystal Nights by Greg Egan isn't bad either

Re: Book review: There Is No Antimemetics Division

#140

Post by drxzcl »

nusl wrote: post #103
cws wrote: post #42

This article says “Book Review:” but then doesn’t provide the title of a book. I’m confused. :)

I suppose this joke only works when you've read it. I should take my meds, else I'll forget.

You can’t forget to take class W mnestics. Not unless someone prevents you from taking them.
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