Status Updates From Quarantine

in the book, the setting is set in the future in 2034

Greg Egan doesn't like it when people call him at night, for example, in the text, it says nobody wants a sensitive call electronically decoded and flashed up on the screen

🤯

okay lengthy quantum metaphysics section, i see you

Book is pretty engaging so far and I love the Noir-style detective vibes

"I was eight years old when the stars went out."

Quite the opening line. But it only shows up at page 15.

What comes before is a light-cyberpunk-pulp set up, following an investigation about a missing person. Yet, there's this ominous presence, or absence. Looming in the background. Until it gets casually dropped.

My mind has been blown about 35 times already and I cannot put this down

I want to finish it but at the same time, it’s such an interesting book!!

This is a daunting read, but it’s so well written I’m totally hooked

Got past some questionable plot points, but Plot blown p94. He's got a "mod" (P3) that reduces emotional response so he can think logically. Thus follows human physiology fine. But then in part two, he's implanted with another brain mod which somehow bypasses all of this to make home HARDWIRED loyal to his new situation through his emotions!?!?

I need to sleep, but this is physically impossible to put down. I absolutely need to to read everything Egan has every written.

Reading/ listening to this book is like taking science drugs. Like, I'm not saying that in a glib way or saying it's necessarily psychedelic and trippy, but processing the concepts and how they are discussed and explored in this book has actually made me feel like I am rushing and coming up on MDMA. There is a mind-blowing ecstacy to Egan's writing, at least for me. Your mileage may vary.

Listen. I am 99% an emotional hook, character driven reader. I like being in the heads of sad girls so I don't have to be in mine. But I also absolutely adore big concept commit to the bit sci-fi and I am emotionally hooked on theoretical physics baybee. I'm completely obsessed and so excited it gives me energy. I am so unbelievably in love with this ridiculous book that is brain melting and re-sculpting it better!

THIS IS WRINKLING MY BRAIN!

I AM IN LOVE!!!

This is wild. The world building and concepts are fascinating. I'm hooked!

After reading Reasons to be Cheerful, I absolutely needed more Egan, so I was over the moon when I saw my favourite amateur narrator, Fraggoth Fraggoth had read some of their novels!

Having a good time with this future noir fun so far!
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLI...

Gave up and didn’t finish

"As for the stars, they were never ours to lose; the truth is, we've lost nothing but the illusion of their proximity."

Break from fantasy books, time for Egan

Good book so far. I have a really suspicious feeling that I've read this book before in paper though.

Already feel drawn in to this one. Despite it being 30 years old it reads as very contemporary so far. The detective narrative and the near-future scifi are meshing very well. The prose is great too: erudite and compelling.

👌

Chapter seven of this book was downright fascinating. Wow.

Por fin me he decidio a leer una novela de Egan y he de admitir que estoy enganchadisimo.

Suddenly I'm seized by doubts. Isn't the whole plot just an elementary misreading of quantum mechanics? I post a query to Schrödinger (EigenThink, $49), but all I get is the grinning cat icon. That will teach me to download bargain-price mods.

If my brain had been modified so that I was obliged to be absolutely loyal to a given organisation but was otherwise rational, would I be able to decide that my loyalty was to the idea rather than the form of the organisation?

I switch on Plato (Neuroclassics, $499) and Kant (MoralMatrix, $1050) and let them run for an hour in background, but am unable to reach a conclusion.

The first chapter is good. Why is it a year since I last opened a Greg Egan? I consult NeuroLibrarian (Synapse, $699), but it just flickers vaguely in my peripheral vision. I'm about to order an upgrade, when the neon-green words crystallize in front of me:

POSSIBLE INCOMPTIBLITY WITH HIGH BALZAC INTAKE
TERMINATE YOUR READING EXPERIENCE NOW

Shit, how come it didn't it warn me earlier? Something's wrong here.

Fascinating story with interesting characters. The use of neural mods is rather interesting.

So far great book. Enjoying the concept of neural mods and a world like this.

Started this book because I want a taste of Sci FI these days. Overall okay start, not that exciting but the concept is interesting. A cover that shuts off the planet from the rest of the universe? Very curious.