What do you think?
Is Anybody Out There?
Beyond our skies...and imaginations. Are we alone in the universe, and if not, who else-or what else-is out there? Here are thought-provoking stories that explore such questions Do intelligent species invariably destroy themselves by nuclear war or ecological collapse? Are the sentient aliens that do exist just too far away? Do they exist in forms beyond our comprehension? Are they among us, but undetectable? These are just some of the possibilities explored by a stellar lineup of contributors.
323 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
October 10, 2016
This review is just for the short story "Graffiti in the Library of Babel," which is free online here at More Red Ink. Review first posted on Fantasy Literature:
I recently read and reviewed Ficciones, a classic anthology of literary fantasy written by Jorge Luis Borges, which includes his most famous story, The Library of Babel, about a universe consisting solely of a virtually infinite library of connected hexagonal rooms containing books with every possible combination of 25 letters and punctuation marks in 410 pages. Coincidentally, I also recently ran a search for online speculative fiction containing the word “Library” in the title on the Free Speculative Fiction Online website; the results included three stories that clearly use Borges’ Library of Babel as an inspiration. This story, “Graffiti in the Library of Babel,” was my favorite.
Dr. Ceri Evans, an academic in the area of information theory, is temporarily assisting with the Total Library project, which entails assembling all world literature and knowledge in electronic format in a secure underground facility in Switzerland. The head of the TotLib project, Dr. Joseph Ngombi, comes to Ceri with a puzzling problem: some unknown persons have, apparently randomly, inserted electronic tags in many of the volumes in their library. Joseph and his staff have already ruled out hackers (the library is totally isolated from the Internet) and student pranksters. Now they’re wondering whether, as Ceri states, “the Library is under attack through the kind of acausal channel I’ve discussed in my more speculative papers”. Or, to put it more bluntly, whether aliens are somehow inserting these electronic tags in our literature to communicate with humanity. Ceri and Joseph try to figure out if the tagged phrases contain a message, and if so, how they should respond.
“Graffiti in the Library of Babel” initially struck me ambiguous and a little disjointed. But as the story unfolded and the premise became clear to me, it thoroughly engaged me with both its imaginative plot and the literary and somewhat flirtatious banter between Ceri and Joseph. This story raises some interesting questions about the difficulties and tricks involved in communication, not only with aliens but between the two main characters. A surprising twist toward the end raises the stakes, as well as some interesting questions about the future. And I have this story to thank for introducing me to the immortal phrase “’Klaatu barada nikto.”
4.5 stars.
I recently read and reviewed Ficciones, a classic anthology of literary fantasy written by Jorge Luis Borges, which includes his most famous story, The Library of Babel, about a universe consisting solely of a virtually infinite library of connected hexagonal rooms containing books with every possible combination of 25 letters and punctuation marks in 410 pages. Coincidentally, I also recently ran a search for online speculative fiction containing the word “Library” in the title on the Free Speculative Fiction Online website; the results included three stories that clearly use Borges’ Library of Babel as an inspiration. This story, “Graffiti in the Library of Babel,” was my favorite.
Dr. Ceri Evans, an academic in the area of information theory, is temporarily assisting with the Total Library project, which entails assembling all world literature and knowledge in electronic format in a secure underground facility in Switzerland. The head of the TotLib project, Dr. Joseph Ngombi, comes to Ceri with a puzzling problem: some unknown persons have, apparently randomly, inserted electronic tags in many of the volumes in their library. Joseph and his staff have already ruled out hackers (the library is totally isolated from the Internet) and student pranksters. Now they’re wondering whether, as Ceri states, “the Library is under attack through the kind of acausal channel I’ve discussed in my more speculative papers”. Or, to put it more bluntly, whether aliens are somehow inserting these electronic tags in our literature to communicate with humanity. Ceri and Joseph try to figure out if the tagged phrases contain a message, and if so, how they should respond.
“Graffiti in the Library of Babel” initially struck me ambiguous and a little disjointed. But as the story unfolded and the premise became clear to me, it thoroughly engaged me with both its imaginative plot and the literary and somewhat flirtatious banter between Ceri and Joseph. This story raises some interesting questions about the difficulties and tricks involved in communication, not only with aliens but between the two main characters. A surprising twist toward the end raises the stakes, as well as some interesting questions about the future. And I have this story to thank for introducing me to the immortal phrase “’Klaatu barada nikto.”
4.5 stars.
July 11, 2010
s Anybody Out There? is a wonderfully crafted anthology edited by Marty Halpern and Nick Gevers focused on the observations of Enrico Fermi regarding the existence of extraterrestrial life.
Fermi's Paradox for those of you who don't know it states simply: The apparent size and age of the universe suggest that many technologically advanced extraterrestrial civilizations ought to exist.
However, this hypothesis seems inconsistent with the lack of observational evidence to support it (Wikipedia).
Before I launch into my review, I should say that I attended the premiere panel launch for this book at ReaderCon21 earlier this summer. I had the extreme pleasure in speaking with Marty Halpern, Paul Di Filippo, Yves Maynard (and yes my son is now taking French so he can read some of your other work for himself!), and my old friend James Morrow.
I found Marty to be gracious with his time, and his discussion on what he and co-editor Nick Gevers went through to bring this marvelous collection to our book stores was both daunting and rewarding. Paul Di Filippo was exactly as I expected him to be--passionate, funny and a brilliant speaker. Yves Maynard, with his quiet intensity was an absolute joy to speak to and Jim--with his flair for the dramatic, was the perfect choice not only for the panel, but also as the final author in the anthology.
The group of shorts in this tome reflect both the flavor and intrigue of the simple question: Are we alone in the universe?
A few author highlights, as I could go on for pages...and I'd rather you spend the time reading the anthology rather than a long-winded review!
Paul McAuley kicks off his take on the Paradox with Enrico Fermi himself engaged in a discussion of this very question. An overview of the paradox and theories surrounding the question of ETs sets the stage beautifully for the reader.
The writer-meeting-his-own-alien-creation story by Yves Meynard is a wonderful take on man's desire to know answers, and the less-than-satisfying results knowing brings.
The wonderfully fun Report from the Field by Mike Resnick and Lezli Robyn is a kooky alien Dan Rather type story with an extra terrestrial's take on Earth and all that is humankind.
Paul Di Filippo's Galaxy of Mirrors is a tale spun with good humor and in grandiose style about the fate of two hapless lovers and their encounter with the World Thinker.
Graffiti in the Library of Babel by David Langford is a great first contact story about aliens who try to get our earthly attention by communicating to us via our own historical records.
The paranormal mystery of Kristine Kathryn Rusch's The Dark Man tale is a neat take on a "what if" story. Think along the lines of Scully actually finding PROOF that Mulder's conspiracy theories were spot on.
The final tale in this collection, James Morrow's The Vampires of Paradox is an investigative piece on paradoxes themselves. Twisted logic and mind-bending questions are asked and the answers that arise are told in a way that Jim pulls off brilliantly.
Overall, this is a marvelous collection of stories, some I've touched on, others just as intriguing and entertaining, and leaves the reader with one final paradox: How many different ways are there to ask Is Anybody Out There?
Fermi's Paradox for those of you who don't know it states simply: The apparent size and age of the universe suggest that many technologically advanced extraterrestrial civilizations ought to exist.
However, this hypothesis seems inconsistent with the lack of observational evidence to support it (Wikipedia).
Before I launch into my review, I should say that I attended the premiere panel launch for this book at ReaderCon21 earlier this summer. I had the extreme pleasure in speaking with Marty Halpern, Paul Di Filippo, Yves Maynard (and yes my son is now taking French so he can read some of your other work for himself!), and my old friend James Morrow.
I found Marty to be gracious with his time, and his discussion on what he and co-editor Nick Gevers went through to bring this marvelous collection to our book stores was both daunting and rewarding. Paul Di Filippo was exactly as I expected him to be--passionate, funny and a brilliant speaker. Yves Maynard, with his quiet intensity was an absolute joy to speak to and Jim--with his flair for the dramatic, was the perfect choice not only for the panel, but also as the final author in the anthology.
The group of shorts in this tome reflect both the flavor and intrigue of the simple question: Are we alone in the universe?
A few author highlights, as I could go on for pages...and I'd rather you spend the time reading the anthology rather than a long-winded review!
Paul McAuley kicks off his take on the Paradox with Enrico Fermi himself engaged in a discussion of this very question. An overview of the paradox and theories surrounding the question of ETs sets the stage beautifully for the reader.
The writer-meeting-his-own-alien-creation story by Yves Meynard is a wonderful take on man's desire to know answers, and the less-than-satisfying results knowing brings.
The wonderfully fun Report from the Field by Mike Resnick and Lezli Robyn is a kooky alien Dan Rather type story with an extra terrestrial's take on Earth and all that is humankind.
Paul Di Filippo's Galaxy of Mirrors is a tale spun with good humor and in grandiose style about the fate of two hapless lovers and their encounter with the World Thinker.
Graffiti in the Library of Babel by David Langford is a great first contact story about aliens who try to get our earthly attention by communicating to us via our own historical records.
The paranormal mystery of Kristine Kathryn Rusch's The Dark Man tale is a neat take on a "what if" story. Think along the lines of Scully actually finding PROOF that Mulder's conspiracy theories were spot on.
The final tale in this collection, James Morrow's The Vampires of Paradox is an investigative piece on paradoxes themselves. Twisted logic and mind-bending questions are asked and the answers that arise are told in a way that Jim pulls off brilliantly.
Overall, this is a marvelous collection of stories, some I've touched on, others just as intriguing and entertaining, and leaves the reader with one final paradox: How many different ways are there to ask Is Anybody Out There?
Want to Read
August 27, 2017TOC: http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?3...
Preview stories, posted by the co-editor:
http://martyhalpern.blogspot.com/p/is...
Preview stories, posted by the co-editor:
http://martyhalpern.blogspot.com/p/is...
February 16, 2018
Decent compilation of short stories.
August 27, 2018
Interesting science-fictional takes on the Fermi paradox.
July 24, 2023
You could bring the past with you but it didn't make it any less past……….
The air felt like those tense moments before the music became pleasurable again.
The air felt like those tense moments before the music became pleasurable again.
December 11, 2010
This is a bunch of new science fiction stories exploring that age-old question: Is mankind alone in the universe?
A husband and wife laying outside on a clear night talk about aliens. Among the husband’s speculations are that aliens home in on a psychological signal given off by one person alone. That is why sightings are always in rural areas, and never in the city. The aliens could be here already, but out of phase with humanity.
A moderately-famous writer penned a series of stories about a human and his alien sidekick. In a dream, or delusion, the alien comes to life and tells him the truth about the universe. An alien scout is sent to Earth to offer it membership in the Galactic Community. Watching some electromagnetic transmissions, he/she/it is horrified by the state of present-day Earth society. Aliens can show up in the strangest places; inside a brown dwarf star, inside the human eye and as parasitic blobs that attach themselves to humans, and seem to thrive on human philosophical paradoxes. Throughout the galaxy, various alien species are uplifted to sentience seemingly in the blink of an eye.
Mankind has a hard enough time communicating with non-human intelligence here on Earth, so how is Man supposed to recognize a message from an alien intelligence? Aliens might also show themselves through graffiti-like tags in e-books in a supposedly invulnerable digital library. In present-day Rome, a humanoid figure all in black appears at a certain spot, with absolute regularity, about every ten and a half years. Perhaps it is an alien out of phase with humanity. A homeless woman can’t escape the feeling that one of her six physical senses has disappeared.
These are not just SETI (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence) stories. They do a very good job of showing that aliens can appear almost anywhere. They will keep the reader entertained, and are really worth reading.
A husband and wife laying outside on a clear night talk about aliens. Among the husband’s speculations are that aliens home in on a psychological signal given off by one person alone. That is why sightings are always in rural areas, and never in the city. The aliens could be here already, but out of phase with humanity.
A moderately-famous writer penned a series of stories about a human and his alien sidekick. In a dream, or delusion, the alien comes to life and tells him the truth about the universe. An alien scout is sent to Earth to offer it membership in the Galactic Community. Watching some electromagnetic transmissions, he/she/it is horrified by the state of present-day Earth society. Aliens can show up in the strangest places; inside a brown dwarf star, inside the human eye and as parasitic blobs that attach themselves to humans, and seem to thrive on human philosophical paradoxes. Throughout the galaxy, various alien species are uplifted to sentience seemingly in the blink of an eye.
Mankind has a hard enough time communicating with non-human intelligence here on Earth, so how is Man supposed to recognize a message from an alien intelligence? Aliens might also show themselves through graffiti-like tags in e-books in a supposedly invulnerable digital library. In present-day Rome, a humanoid figure all in black appears at a certain spot, with absolute regularity, about every ten and a half years. Perhaps it is an alien out of phase with humanity. A homeless woman can’t escape the feeling that one of her six physical senses has disappeared.
These are not just SETI (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence) stories. They do a very good job of showing that aliens can appear almost anywhere. They will keep the reader entertained, and are really worth reading.
March 27, 2011
A decent collection of short stories asking the question of the title.
Some favorites:
Residue by Michael Arsenault - A husband and wife looking at the night sky.
The Dark Man by Kristine Kathryn Rusch - A shadow on the Spanish Steps that occurs at predictable intervals is investigated by a free-lance reporter.
Timmy Come Home by Matthew Hughes - What's happening inside Brodies head?
Some favorites:
Residue by Michael Arsenault - A husband and wife looking at the night sky.
The Dark Man by Kristine Kathryn Rusch - A shadow on the Spanish Steps that occurs at predictable intervals is investigated by a free-lance reporter.
Timmy Come Home by Matthew Hughes - What's happening inside Brodies head?
July 29, 2016
A group of interesting stories about the Fermi Paradox (although interestingly enough, the last one, about paradoxes in general- is the weakest of the lot). Not great, but compared to some of the weaker ones I've been reading recently, worthy of the fourth star.
"You could bring the past with you, but that wouldn't make it any less past."
-Felicity Shoulders Leslie What in 'Rare Earth'
"You could bring the past with you, but that wouldn't make it any less past."
-Felicity Shoulders Leslie What in 'Rare Earth'
January 12, 2013
This is a collection of answers to Fermi's question, "Where are they?" That is, if there are other sentient species out there, why haven't we seen any sign of any of them? This book offers sixteen different answers to that question, most of them well-written and enjoyable.
January 1, 2016
A bit of a mixed bag, but all pretty good. Very little hard/classic SF here, it's pretty much all that squishy psychological stuff. But some good metaphors for the human condition, memorable scenes, and enough references to the actual Fermi Paradox that it does feel like a real collection.
July 25, 2010
Read from 7/24 - 7/25.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews