Sci-fi and Heroic Fantasy discussion
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Clarkesworld Magazine, Issue 92, May 2014
2014 Nebula Nominees Discussion
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The Meeker and the All-Seeing Eye
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I really enjoyed this one. It was easy and pleasant to read and it felt fresh. I liked the whole cloning thing as a sort of spin on the groundhog day like story although there was much more to the tale than that.Didnt quite understand why the all seeing eye was taking so much interest in the human but I may have missed something. Still a story that I am very happy to see on an awards ballot.
Ben wrote: "I really enjoyed this one. It was easy and pleasant to read and it felt fresh. I liked the whole cloning thing as a sort of spin on the groundhog day like story although there was much more..."
Yes, it had an engaging feel to it. The narration moved along quickly in relatively light vein, making it an easy read.
Ben wrote: "Didnt quite understand why the all seeing eye was taking so much interest in the human..."
I think the key there is the Eye as obsessive curiosity, and takes an interest in anything different. It seems this might've been the first record of humans she encountered (based on the first failed attempt at reconstruction). And in Beth's first incarnation, she said, “Sloan whispered to me, just before I woke up. She said she had a message for the future, for whoever wakes me. It was, she said, something that would change the course of history. A terrible fact that must be known.” Plus, baiting the hook that would inspire millions of replications (and painful deaths.)
Judging by the ending, a deliberate trap set by a few surviving races hiding in dark corners.
Anyone else thinking Galactus and the Silver Surfer?
Yes, it had an engaging feel to it. The narration moved along quickly in relatively light vein, making it an easy read.
Ben wrote: "Didnt quite understand why the all seeing eye was taking so much interest in the human..."
I think the key there is the Eye as obsessive curiosity, and takes an interest in anything different. It seems this might've been the first record of humans she encountered (based on the first failed attempt at reconstruction). And in Beth's first incarnation, she said, “Sloan whispered to me, just before I woke up. She said she had a message for the future, for whoever wakes me. It was, she said, something that would change the course of history. A terrible fact that must be known.” Plus, baiting the hook that would inspire millions of replications (and painful deaths.)
Judging by the ending, a deliberate trap set by a few surviving races hiding in dark corners.
Anyone else thinking Galactus and the Silver Surfer?
Yeah - its just if you play the odds what is more likely that the whole Sloan message from the future is an elaborate trap / really important message compared with either her mishearing/ being confused/ delusional/ making a joke etc. seems a fairly flimsy basis for the Eye to dedicate so much time and clones.Still I am happy to accept this - and it didnt stop me enjoying the story.
Not familiar enough with Silver surfer to pick up any connections.
Ben wrote: "seems a fairly flimsy basis for the Eye to dedicate so much time and clones...."
Except the Eye has nothing but time on her hands, effectively infinite resources, and insatiable curiosity.
Except the Eye has nothing but time on her hands, effectively infinite resources, and insatiable curiosity.
A post-singularity story with a naive singularity-computer. I recently read a story of two Gods deciding eons long before taking action. Don't know where it was, but it felt a bit similar with the vastness and gigantomanism.
The whole story with virus induced replication, hiding behind the walls to come forth is a bit dated, as well.
For me it was predictable, old and boring.
1+1/2 star.
You can read it free on-line @Clarkesworld.com.