All Wound Up

Jun 16, 2007 19:04

Rather than apologizing once more for not posting, I figure it's about time I sit down and actually write something of interest for all you poor souls who actually watch this space. Writer's block is a bitch, but I'm prepared to fight dirty. Ahem, so without further adieu, let me share with you some things that've been turning around and around ( Read more... )

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You're not. It sounds like you need a mindstorms set. berkeleyjew June 18 2007, 17:15:31 UTC
The tech in Syberia sounds vaguely like one of the stories-within-the-story in Neal Stephenson's The Diamond Age (or possibly William Gibson & Bruce Sterling's The Difference Engine.

Having just come from the RoboGames in SF this weekend, I have to say that the things being called robots these days can be far less awe-inspiring than automata (though admittedly, my views may be somewhat skewed). I think that's mostly because the intricacy of clockwork is obvious, and relatively easily traceable, while solid-state electronics are more like a black box.

Of course, given the work of Babbage, you're probably aware that the functioning of a computer can be recreated in clockwork.. it's just incredibly laborious and produces something that requires impressive amounts of power to run. Actually, given what's on that page, Gibson's book should probably have been called "The Analytical Engine ( ... )

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Re: You're not. It sounds like you need a mindstorms set. wateredsilk June 18 2007, 21:00:50 UTC
Y'know, I keep meaning to read Stephenson, but I still haven't gotten around to it. Shameful in a geek of my level, really. I'd heard that Gibson had some interesting steampunk stuff out there, but I've only really gotten into his cyberpunk thus far. In any case, I think you make a great point about the traceability of clockwork vs solid-state electronics. On a visceral level, I think it's probably more satisfying to be able to follow along a physical path.

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Re: You're not. It sounds like you need a mindstorms set. berkeleyjew June 19 2007, 01:19:53 UTC
Also, there's a new Dr. Who episode featuring alien automata (clockwork.. well, androids--happy?). Should be in the second season.

Stephenson needs two things: an editor with the spine to make him pare down his books, and a pinch-hitter to write the endings. He's really quite unsatisfying in that way. Still, his books are generally a fun ride--I'd suggest them, even knowing his fatal flaw.

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