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Adrian Tchaickovsky's "Children of Ruin" is solid scifi on what uplifted Octopus might look like: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Children_of_Ruin https://en.wiki
by hnmullany 4y ago
Adrian Tchaickovsky's "Children of Ruin" is solid scifi on what uplifted Octopus might look like: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Children_of_Ruin https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Children_of_Ruin
- donpott 4y agoI came to say this, excellent book. And to add to user rob74's comment in this thread: If memory serves, in the book, one of the procedures to uplift the species was to lengthen their lifespan artificially so octopi could enter some "teaching feedback loops".
- Aromasin 4y agoThe first book in the series, Children of Time, is also fantastic. It's regarding a species of artificially intelligent spiders (intelligence accelerated by an "ancestral memory" based down genetically). He provides some really great takes on how their technology differs from humanity. Almost all of their scientific progress happens biologically instead of using silicon, so things like computing is achieved through manipulating ants using their pheromones', and combustion/metals don't really exists in any meaningful way, replaced instead with ultra-light-but-strong materials with tensile strength as the energy method. I really enjoy Adrian Tchickovsky's work in general. Just a couple of weeks ago I finished his Shadows of the Apt 10 books series, and his world building is fantastic. I'd highly recommend his books for the Fantasy/Sci-Fi enthusiast.
- dghf 4y agoI've only read his Dogs of War, which was also about animals with artificially enhanced intelligence and other abilities --this time a dog, a bear, a lizard of some description, and a swarm of bees with a hive mind, working as soldiers for a private military company with questionable ethics. "My name is Rex. I am a Good Dog." Both intellectually and emotionally satisfying.
- Aromasin 4y agoYou can tell he studied Zoology at university - the premise of the Shadows of the Apt book is that races are based on insects and sea creatures!
- filoeleven 4y agoDon’t miss Bear Head, the sequel to Dogs of War. For anyone who’s read Children of Time and Children of Ruin, the third book Children of Memory came out a couple weeks ago.
- teachrdan 4y agoMan oh man, if you like stories about sentient dogs and dubious military groups, you'll love We3 by Grant Morrison. It's easily one of my favorite graphic novels.
- rishav_sharan 4y ago"I AM GUD. R U GUD 2?" haven't heard WE referred in ages, but that quote is seated in my mind
- fumar 4y agoIt is a great sci-fi novel. I recommend adding a spoiler tag to your comment. Let folks experience the book first hand.
- Aromasin 4y agoToo late in the game to edit it now but you're probably right. Apologies all!
- chrisweekly 4y agoTchaikovsky's books convey an extraordinary depth of empathy and intellect, knowledge and imagination. I just finished the 10-book Shadows of the Apt series... highly recommended.
- zabzonk 4y agoi was going to say that i've read most of his books and enjoyed all of them, but i i keep coming across new ones (and enjoying them)! golly, is this guy ever productive!
- deepzn 4y agoWow this is cool. I just made a comment on how the aliens in sci-fi movie Arrival were awesome Octopus looking aliens called heptapods.
- anigbrowl 4y agoAdd Iain M. Banks The Algebraist (his only non-culture sci-fi, as far as I know). Much of the book takes place in a gas giant populated by a race of long-lived creatures that are basically two octopi glued together.
- shostack 4y agoCame here for this. He is unparalleled IMHO at putting you in the mind of the creature. His latest Children of Memory is eerie with its timing with ChatGPT getting big.