The Diamond Age

Neal Stephenson

“Los ancianos que deseaban demostrar la virtud ilustre al reino, primero ordenaban sus...more

“Los ancianos que deseaban demostrar la virtud ilustre al reino, primero ordenaban sus propias casas. Deseando ordenar sus casas, primero regulaban a sus familias. Deseando regular sus familias, cultivaban primero sus personas. Deseando cultivar sus personas, primero rectificaban sus corazones. Deseando rectificar sus corazones, buscaban primero ser sinceros en sus pensamientos. Deseando ser sinceros primero, extendían lo máximo sus conocimientos. Tal extensión del conocimiento yace en la investigación de las cosas… desde el Hijo del Cielo hasta la masa de gentes, todos deben considerar el cultivo de la persona como la raíz de todo lo demás” En un Shangai sobrepoblado, alterado por la suma fuerza del desarrollo nanotécnologico se desarrolla un conflicto entre grupos filiales entre ellos los Ashantis, Nipon, Boers, Han, Nueva Atlantis, Israel, numerosas files sintéticas, el reino celeste y muchas mas. Una novela que muestra la lucha entre las bases neovictorianas y el confucianismo. El mas prominente científico y mayor exponente del confucianismo en el reino celeste busca desarrollar la simiente como solución a la degradación moral sufrida por su tribu tanto por el despotismo hidráulico de la toma como de la falta de la virtud adquirida a través del trabajo en un mundo donde la nanotecnologia puede compilar cualquier cosa con el código adecuado. Es pues la falta del ti confuciano en el yong de la tecnología neovictoriana lo que lleva al Dr. X a la búsqueda dual de un instrumento de enseñanza que desarrolle las potencias creativas de un ejercito de niñas abandonadas en un Shangai sobrepoblado y de una forma de procesamiento no lineal que pueda quebrar el secreto de la programación de la simiente. Una alucinante novela ciber-punk subversiva que propone tácitamente una lucha entre formas de percepción del mundo, una silenciosa guerra entre maquinas, una sociedad sin hambre pero no sin conflicto, un mundo del futuro lleno de personajes brillantes, profundas reflexiones sobre los sistemas de producción y una novedosa forma de computo no lineal.   hide

This is one of Neal Stephenson's greatest novels and a quick read. If you are a sci-fi fan,...more

This is one of Neal Stephenson's greatest novels and a quick read. If you are a sci-fi fan, especially a cyberpunk lover, than you MUST read The Diamond Age: or, A Young Lady's Illustrated Primer. Stephenson is one of those near-future sci-fi writers who somehow channels issues that no one else even thinks to discuss until years later. In this novel Stephenson envisions a world dominated by post-modern "tribes" choosen by their members and eclipsing the nation-state in power, nanobots by the trillions that clog the skys, 3D printers, computers infinitly more powerful than those we have today that can learn and fit into small books, interactive paper, and so on. Frankly, certain plot-lines do take some turns that muddle the overall story and the ending is strange, however, Stephenson's vision of the future and the overarching plot will keep you turning the pages quickly. This is a must read, even among Stephenson's books, most of which are excellent.    hide

At the centre of Diamond Age is an inspiring coming-of-age tale about a girl steered into womanhood...more

At the centre of Diamond Age is an inspiring coming-of-age tale about a girl steered into womanhood by an unusual guide and mentor. When it's good, the book's reminiscent of His Dark Materials best parts, and there's at least a couple of protagonists it's easy to root for. What a shame then, that this sci-fi novel is frequently guilty of the worst excesses of the genre with it's pompous attitude, a barrage of invented terminology, a shambolic final act and an only to be expected, but nonetheless alienating, fetishisistic approach to science.    hide

Excellent bundle of concepts and near-future thinking. Nell's perspective and certain parts of her...more

Excellent bundle of concepts and near-future thinking. Nell's perspective and certain parts of her development are handled very clumsily and the narrative time-jumps are also handled badly in places, however. But, all in all, this book is a fantastic read. Re-reading now after first reading soon after publication. Can't help feeling that material science-based sf will become a very fertile stomping ground and that Stephenson was well ahead of the game here...unfortunately that may also mean that a lot of the concepts will soon seem very naive indeed and that future readers will not take it to heart as much. Going on to Snow Crash from here...   hide

I've heard this book described described as post-cyberpunk which I guess is a pretty good label. It...more

I've heard this book described described as post-cyberpunk which I guess is a pretty good label. It does incorporate elements of steampunk with it's neo-victoriana aesthetic as well. It's a very good read, with more ideas than most authors have in a career crammed in, the threads of the story are woven together well and the technology and exposition is integrated well into the story so it doesn't drag. Some of the fairy tale sections can tire, especially towards the end but overall it's packed with great sympathetic characters and brilliant concepts, an epic tale building to a stunning finale.   hide