Wednesday 27 February 2013

Blindsight

I'm reading Blindsight at the moment, by Peter Watts. I'm about halfway through and I don't really understand what's happening. Despite that fact, it's really good, and I'm finding it fascinating. It's that kind of incomprehensible where every sixth word just doesn't make any sense - it's very densely scientific. I guess this is my first real foray into hardcore sci-fi and there is a lot of made-up and/or niche vocabulary.

A large part of the story is around human psychology, and how messed up it can be. It simply blows me away how much craziness our brains can make us believe, and yet somehow everyone still resolutely relies on their senses and trusts our rationality.

It also covers some really interesting linguistic theories and angles; the whole thing appears to be some intense thought experiment on a grand scale.

I'm sure when I've finished I will have some bones to pick with it - I have some suspicions abotu a few things already - but we'll wait and see.

Not a book to read when you only have twenty minutes, or if you're looking for something light, but I'd definitely recommend it.