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Brain Storm
Project Otawi, hidden away in the mountains of New Mexico from public knowledge or scrutiny, under the banner of Los Alamos National Laboratory, has undertaken the most ambitious technical goal in augmenting the power of the human brain with digital electronics, the marriage of neuron to computer chip. The promised offspring of that union are cures for neuro-degenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s, language learning in days or weeks, avenues to greater emotional and physical health, even enhancement of intellect beyond that of the greatest minds who’ve ever lived. But Otawi, a program full of genius, has its dark side, a side full of intrigue, pride, vanity, and lust. That dark side carries implications that could rock the entire foundation of American government, and indeed, Western Culture. A few tenuous hints of that sinister aspect formed an unlikely the sheriff of Los Alamos County, a graduate student working in the unclassified part of Otawi, and a man whose wife had fallen victim to the project’s ambitious leadership. If this intrigues, frightens, or thrills you, it is time to enter the world of Brain Storm.
338 pages, Paperback
Published December 15, 2015
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
September 1, 2016
Brain Storm was fun to read. The main character is a graduate student, Melinda, who is working on a frontier of neuroscience, the mind-machine interface. Her knowledge and situation place her in danger. There are those in power who see her as an impediment to their use of the technology. Their intent involves the things that many men desire the most, sex and power. They are also pursuing a mysterious friend she meets, Hank. He has already suffered tragedy and heart break because of them .
Most of the action takes place in New Mexico in the vicinity of Los Alamos and Santa Fe. Having made many business trips there and knowing at least something of the terrain helped me in picturing and experiencing the book. Enchantment is definitely the right word to describe that place. Reading the book was the same thing as mentally traveling there.
This may be his best novel. One is easily caught up in the action which moves along quickly and with unexpected swerves. It has some of the characteristics of his previous novels. They all have a woman as the main character and like this one, a female grad student plays a prominent role. This is the third book that delves into the connection between technology and the body. They are all explorations of the question of how our personalities and actions could or will be changed. Will only good come about? What about sinister things? Will people be hurt along the way?
It is quite by accident that I happen to also be reading Teilhard de Chardin’s The Future of Man. When I was in college four plus decades ago, I thought Teilhard was crazy. Now I know that he was prophetic. That is why I'm reading his works. A quote from him is quite pertinent to the issues this book explores:
“Progress is not immediate ease, well-being and peace. It is not rest. It is not even, directly, virtue. Essentially Progress is a force, and the most dangerous of forces. …..Stronger than every obstacle and counterargument is the instinct which tells us that, to be faithful to Life, we must know; we must know more and still more; we must tirelessly and unceasingly search for Something, we know not what, which will appear in the end to those who have penetrated to the very heart of reality.”
In the course of telling a fast paced yarn of action and intrigue, the author addresses and engages what de Chardin has said.
Most of the action takes place in New Mexico in the vicinity of Los Alamos and Santa Fe. Having made many business trips there and knowing at least something of the terrain helped me in picturing and experiencing the book. Enchantment is definitely the right word to describe that place. Reading the book was the same thing as mentally traveling there.
This may be his best novel. One is easily caught up in the action which moves along quickly and with unexpected swerves. It has some of the characteristics of his previous novels. They all have a woman as the main character and like this one, a female grad student plays a prominent role. This is the third book that delves into the connection between technology and the body. They are all explorations of the question of how our personalities and actions could or will be changed. Will only good come about? What about sinister things? Will people be hurt along the way?
It is quite by accident that I happen to also be reading Teilhard de Chardin’s The Future of Man. When I was in college four plus decades ago, I thought Teilhard was crazy. Now I know that he was prophetic. That is why I'm reading his works. A quote from him is quite pertinent to the issues this book explores:
“Progress is not immediate ease, well-being and peace. It is not rest. It is not even, directly, virtue. Essentially Progress is a force, and the most dangerous of forces. …..Stronger than every obstacle and counterargument is the instinct which tells us that, to be faithful to Life, we must know; we must know more and still more; we must tirelessly and unceasingly search for Something, we know not what, which will appear in the end to those who have penetrated to the very heart of reality.”
In the course of telling a fast paced yarn of action and intrigue, the author addresses and engages what de Chardin has said.
Displaying 1 of 1 review