Status Updates From Diaspora

Progressing good, only fault so far is that some of the explanations re: particle physics and n-space topologies are well over my head (but perhaps necessarily so in order to be consistent with modern Physics).

Just finished Part 4, where the author presents the single most interesting picture of alien lifeforms I've ever seen, and with a solid mathematical/logical/philosophical foundation to boot (hint: Wang tiles and Turing machines),

Crossed the middle of the book. Interesting part, the one that gives it its name.

Just finished Part 2. Wow! Much faster paced than Part 1, and as well-written as Part 1. If you are reading Part 1 and thinking of quitting the book because things are too slow, just hang on until Part 2 and you won't regret it.

Finished Part One; good, well-written SF with some outstanding ideas; characters seem a little too shallow (could be due to their natures) and plot is relatively slow and bland (but things seem to be picking up place in Part Two, which I just started).

Good book so far, the confrontation of mathematically-oriented vs artistically-oriented minds is a very interesting one.

The author employs complex, deep metaphors to describe a virtual world populated by autonomous, synthetic, self-aware intelligences. A little tiring, but worthy, reading.