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As explained in the book, it was simply “The Premise.” Like a lot of my favorite sci-fi, it tried to run through a speculative scenario as faithfully as it can
by futureshock 2y ago
As explained in the book, it was simply “The Premise.” Like a lot of my favorite sci-fi, it tried to run through a speculative scenario as faithfully as it can to science, engineering and sociology. But was there any reason for it to happen in the first place? No. Stephenson explicitly says so and doesn’t bother cooking up some contrived reason. He wrote the book because the premise was entertaining to him.
- andyjohnson0 2y agoYeah I get that. And I also understand that, given their predicament, the characters in the story have little time or opportunity to consider the matter for us. What annoyed me was that the "premise" is (a) extraordinarily unlikely and (b) its causation doesn't form any part of the plot. Building a hard SF work on such a foundation is a big ask of the reader - although I'm sure it was entertaining for the writer. Thats my problem with the book.
- Tossrock 2y agoHe actually does suggest a reason in the book, which is a primordial black hole passing through it.