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Mark and Gerry's Sci-Fi Reviews continue....
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The Diamond Age
By Neil Stephenson
Review by Mark
Why do so many science-fiction writers see such dark futures for the world? Why must there always be evil use of fantastic technology? Is a more utopian society so out of the question? Neal Stephenson’s The Diamond Age could just as easily have the been named “The Depressing Age” with all the squalor sitting side-by-side with fantastic technologies. Fortunately Stephenson is a gifted writer, and even though his earlier novel SnowCrash and his later novel Cryptonomicon are better, The Diamond Age, is still a much better than average sci-fi novel.
In the mode of SnowCrash, Stephenson describes a future without the modern nation state. Instead territories are divided up according to interest groups. There are those wealthy, snobbish Victorians (read English), the industrious nouveau riche New Atlantans (Americans), Oriental groupings, and several less relevant groups. Most groups seem to be poor, corrupt, and oppressive. Others seem to be rich, corrupt, and trying hard to keep the poor tribes out. Technology is far advanced from the current state. Star-Trek replicators are fed component basic materials (called “the feed”) to create basic consumer goods on demand - for a fee of course.
Nano-technology has developed flying mites that clog the skies to keep a spy eye on everything and stand guard against invading technology. Occasional wars between mites result in piles of dirty mite soot so thick that people have to wear facemasks in order to breath. Buildings are covered by huge moving message screens and billboards. It would be kind of cool if it wasn't so "Blade Runner" grim.
The Diamond Age has a second title: “A Young Lady’s Illustrated Primer”. This longer title is definitely more appropriate for the novel than "The Diamond Age" whose relevance to anything I couldn’t see. The Illustrated Primer refers to a book developed by a nanotechnological engineer. The primer has the ability to change its story to cater to the needs and questions of a young girl. Once the book is bonded to a particular young girl it is hers forever, and has various defenses against others trying to use it. Nell, the story's main character grows up through a harrowing childhood and a confusing adolescence. The primer’s influence is tremendous and raises her to be an ingenious, independent, and ambitious young lady.
A parallel story is the pursuit of the previously mentioned nanotechnical engineer to mass produce these primers by organized criminals/humanitarians from the Chinese group. The Chinese group needs the primers for the huge number of Chinese baby girls that have been discarded by their parents and are now warehoused on boats. The authorities need a way to raise these girls, and these primers seem an ideal solution. The criminal half of the equation; they will do anything and terrorize anyone to achieve their goals. While the Chinese consortium tries to get primers, others try to prevent the technology from disseminating. This is not because of any gender or racial issue, but rather to do with new replicator technology based on technology within the primers that can displace the current feed system . The fear is related to the current Western fears of terrible powers in the hands of irresponsible and dangerous people. The new replicator technology would be much more convenient, but would allow uncontrolled fabrication of almost anything. If this seems confusing, well, that's because The Diamond Age is a difficult story. The ending is particularly obtuse and thrown together. Stephenson writes well so The Diamond Age is readable. The novel is also helped by Stephenson's visions of far out technologies:
“Most gentleman’s and ladies’ gloves nowadays were constructed of infinitesimal fabricules that knew how to eject dirt; you could thrust your gloved hand into mud, and it would be white a few seconds later”
“Nanotech materials were stronger. Computers were infinitesimal. Power supplies were much more potent. It was almost difficult not to build things that were lighter than air” (note to reader, levitation has nothing to do with computers, power supplies, or the strength of materials. It’s all about density relative to air).
“The ‘House of the Venerable and Inscrutable Colonel’ was what they called it when they were speaking Chinese. Venerable because of his goatee, white as the dogwood blossom, a badge of unimpeachable credibility in Confusion eyes. Inscrutable because he had gone to his grave without divulging ‘The Secret of the Eleven Herbs and Spices’.”
“It is only the wise of the of the highest class, and the stupid of the lowest class, who cannot be changed.”
“The difference between ignorant and educated people is that the latter know more facts”
“There are many people and many tribes, but only so many stories.”
And finally,
“But a book is different – it is not just a material possession, but the pathway to an enlightened mind, and thence to a well-ordered society.”
Well said - so go pick up a Sci-Fi book. The Diamond Age is fine if you are patient and able to deal with a contradictory and subtle story – but there are only so many stories, so find one to suit you.
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