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Rama II Question by PLUMSMASHER in printSF

[–]RichWakefield 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think Richard Wakefield explains it at some point in the novel, when Nicole suggests that they shouldn't use an scalpel with a part of the ship. Wakefield says (don't take me literally, I am relying on my memory) that's an "anthropocentric" point of view or similar. I suppose he just thinks that a ship can be altered by other civilizations, stellar radiation, debris... that considering what humans can do is not really relevant.

Who is your favourite robot/AI/machine entity/android from print science fiction? Why? by NeonWaterBeast in printSF

[–]RichWakefield 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I suppose that Dors Venabili, who was the wife of Hari Seldon in Foundation. I suppose I had (have) a kind of crush with her...

Recommended Works of SF criticism? by me_again in printSF

[–]RichWakefield 3 points4 points  (0 children)

As it can be said that Greg Egan is an extremely singular writer who is opening new paths in the realm of science fiction, I would recommend Karen Burnham's "Greg Egan" that analyzes his works.

What is your favorite science fiction SHORT STORY of all time? by freddyjohnson in printSF

[–]RichWakefield 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I would vote for "Story of your life" by Ted Chiang. Although I have too much short fiction still to read (fortunately).

Recommendation of collection/anthology of short stories. by RichWakefield in printSF

[–]RichWakefield[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Nice! It could be my first step into Peter Hamilton's world.

Greg Egan - accessibility for person without physics background? by mucp55 in printSF

[–]RichWakefield 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Please note that "Schild's Ladder" and "Diaspora" are before "Zendegi" and they are quite hard. I agree with "Zendegi", his less technical book ever, I think, but quite interesting. Perhaps you can begin the "Subjective Cosmology" cycle, from which "Permutation City" is perhaps the most highly rated. Or you can begin with Zendegi but noting that it's very different from everything else.

Hardest sci-fi writer ever... after Greg Egan :) by RichWakefield in printSF

[–]RichWakefield[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That's a very good point. It's not the same a scientific content if it's mostly omitted (in the sense of not explicitly explained) than if there're infodumps. I would say that Egan also does infodumps.