> Stephenson really deserves a higher place in our cultural pantheon. +1 (though I think his place is higher and more secure than this comment suggests. Or not

> Stephenson really deserves a higher place in our cultural pantheon. +1 (though I think his place is higher and more secure than this comment suggests. Or not!) Stephenson's place in the sci-fi canon (if such a thing can be said to exist) was sealed when he wrote, first, _Snow Crash_ and, later, _Cryptonomicon_ (though I find the latter a tad overwrought). With zero insight into the film industry's relationship to Stephenson's literary estate: Many of Stephenson's novels have trouble sticking their endings. _Snow Crash_ does not have this problem but _Cryptonomicon_ does. Same problem for _REAMDE_ which is very cinematic but takes a long way to wrapping its plotlines. Extrapolating from that speculative line, if Stephenson refuses to give the film/TV industry artistic license with regard to screenplays of his novels, producers may be unwilling to move forward. That said, I thought Amazon was going to do a version of _Snow Crash_… Taking a moment to sing Stephenson's praise names, _The Diamond Age: Or, A Young Lady's Illustrated Primer_ is my favorite of his novels. Superb pacing, fascinating vision of technology, and strong sociocultural relevance. Plus, _The Diamond Age_ knocks the stuffing out its ending! If you've not read it yet, what are you waiting for?