Project Hail Mary

by Andy Weir

Broadly speaking, the human brain is a collection of software hacks compiled into a single, somehow-functional unit. Each “feature” was added as a random mutation that solved some specific problem to increase our odds of survival. In short, the human brain is a mess. Everything about evolution is messy.

“Are all Russians crazy?” “Yes,” he said with a smile. “It is the only way to be Russian and happy at the same time.” “That’s…dark.” “That’s Russian!”

“Hey, Rocky!” I call out from the lab. “Watch me pull a Taumoeba out of a hat!” Rocky climbs up his tunnel from the control room. “I assume that is Earth idiom.” “Yeah. Earth has entertainment called ‘television’ and—” “Do not explain, please. You have findings, question?”

I swear he called the alien Rocky just so he could make this joke!