Comments on: Interface: Neal Stephenson's underappreciated masterpiece http://boingboing.net/2007/12/10/interface-neal-steph.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Sun, 26 May 2013 05:43:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: Patrick Nielsen Hayden http://boingboing.net/2007/12/10/interface-neal-steph.html#comment-90628 Patrick Nielsen Hayden Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-90628 Is this the one that has the demographics firm that has the electorate sliced up into about a hundred types, each with names like POST-CONFEDERATE GRAVY EATER and DEBT-HAUNTED WAGE SLAVE? Is this the one that has the demographics firm that has the electorate sliced up into about a hundred types, each with names like POST-CONFEDERATE GRAVY EATER and DEBT-HAUNTED WAGE SLAVE?

]]> By: smalltimore http://boingboing.net/2007/12/10/interface-neal-steph.html#comment-90634 smalltimore Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-90634 Spot on, Mr. Hayden. This book is amazing. Highly recommended, along with The Cobweb. When searching for more Stephenson to devour while waiting for the last 'System' book, I was terribly happy to find these. Spot on, Mr. Hayden.

This book is amazing. Highly recommended, along with The Cobweb. When searching for more Stephenson to devour while waiting for the last ‘System’ book, I was terribly happy to find these.

]]> By: Nix http://boingboing.net/2007/12/10/interface-neal-steph.html#comment-93194 Nix Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-93194 Chang@#17, no, not zombies. Reality has just outdone art, is all. We have two *separate* shadowy groups, each backing different sides. Chang@#17, no, not zombies. Reality has just outdone art, is all.

We have two *separate* shadowy groups, each backing different sides.

]]> By: Cory Doctorow http://boingboing.net/2007/12/10/interface-neal-steph.html#comment-90638 Cory Doctorow Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-90638 And Depression Haunted Can Stacker and 400-Pound Mouth Breathing Tab Drinker! And Depression Haunted Can Stacker and 400-Pound Mouth Breathing Tab Drinker!

]]> By: dbrown http://boingboing.net/2007/12/10/interface-neal-steph.html#comment-90639 dbrown Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-90639 After many years I'm still by the perfection of the DEPRESSION-HAUNTED CAN STACKER demographic. I re-read Cobweb after the newest Iraq war started and it holds up -- not to be missed, though not as awesome as Interface. After many years I’m still by the perfection of the DEPRESSION-HAUNTED CAN STACKER demographic. I re-read Cobweb after the newest Iraq war started and it holds up — not to be missed, though not as awesome as Interface.

]]> By: SteveK http://boingboing.net/2007/12/10/interface-neal-steph.html#comment-90912 SteveK Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-90912 My favorite part of <em>Interface</em> is Cy Ogle explaining how politicians are trained to look good relative to the gamma curve of normal TV, and how they'll all be voted out (in favour of better-looking ones) once HD catches on... My favorite part of Interface is Cy Ogle explaining how politicians are trained to look good relative to the gamma curve of normal TV, and how they’ll all be voted out (in favour of better-looking ones) once HD catches on…

]]> By: Thomas http://boingboing.net/2007/12/10/interface-neal-steph.html#comment-90663 Thomas Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-90663 This book also seems prophetic in many ways. Not necessarily the core technology, but other developments in politics and media since the book was written seem to have come true. "We have solved the problem of elections." Indeed! This book also seems prophetic in many ways. Not necessarily the core technology, but other developments in politics and media since the book was written seem to have come true. “We have solved the problem of elections.” Indeed!

]]> By: TwoShort http://boingboing.net/2007/12/10/interface-neal-steph.html#comment-90665 TwoShort Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-90665 I work on demographic analysis software for a living, and while the names of their clusters are a bit over the top, that stuff is otherwise spot-on. So much so, it kind of freaked me out reading it: If the only part I know a lot about is completely true... I work on demographic analysis software for a living, and while the names of their clusters are a bit over the top, that stuff is otherwise spot-on. So much so, it kind of freaked me out reading it: If the only part I know a lot about is completely true…

]]> By: Michael R. Bernstein http://boingboing.net/2007/12/10/interface-neal-steph.html#comment-90677 Michael R. Bernstein Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-90677 TwoShort @ #7: Do you include the EKG-etc. monitoring of the demographic 'representatives'? TwoShort @ #7: Do you include the EKG-etc. monitoring of the demographic ‘representatives’?

]]> By: mwisconsin http://boingboing.net/2007/12/10/interface-neal-steph.html#comment-90683 mwisconsin Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-90683 I couldn't get 30 pages into Interface. Too many times I've discarded SF books because of their lack of vision, or because some unforeseen invention has made their previously visionary text obsolete. I don't fault the authors for this, I just can't make it through the text without feeling disdain. I have a similar reaction to watching them cradle an audio modem in the movie <i>Sneakers</i> as well. I couldn’t get 30 pages into Interface. Too many times I’ve discarded SF books because of their lack of vision, or because some unforeseen invention has made their previously visionary text obsolete. I don’t fault the authors for this, I just can’t make it through the text without feeling disdain.

I have a similar reaction to watching them cradle an audio modem in the movie Sneakers as well.

]]> By: grom http://boingboing.net/2007/12/10/interface-neal-steph.html#comment-90958 grom Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-90958 Funny timing, I only just finished re-reading thisa couple of weeks ago. I rarely re-visit books so this was quite odd but loved it just as much the second time. Highly recommended by me. Funny timing, I only just finished re-reading thisa couple of weeks ago. I rarely re-visit books so this was quite odd but loved it just as much the second time.
Highly recommended by me.

]]> By: Chang http://boingboing.net/2007/12/10/interface-neal-steph.html#comment-90959 Chang Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-90959 AWESOME BOOK!!! I got it when I was digging through Snow Crash and The Diamond Age. Great book. Totally came true in freaky ways. If Bush's face was all messed because of CIA mind control, then what was Kerry's excuse? Zombie Mind Control? AWESOME BOOK!!!

I got it when I was digging through Snow Crash and The Diamond Age. Great book. Totally came true in freaky ways.

If Bush’s face was all messed because of CIA mind control, then what was Kerry’s excuse? Zombie Mind Control?

]]> By: License Farm http://boingboing.net/2007/12/10/interface-neal-steph.html#comment-90969 License Farm Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-90969 I've not read this one, and will be on the lookout for it, but earlier this year I read Stephenson's <i>The Big U</i>, which I believe was his first novel. As usual in his oeuvre it's filled with amazingly huge ideas that he obviously understands in proper context better than your average skiffy hack latching onto the concept of the hour. Sure, it's got some truly ridiculous plot twists, but it's a black comedy, so I can forgive the giant mutant rats and Baltoslovenian terrorists. I’ve not read this one, and will be on the lookout for it, but earlier this year I read Stephenson’s The Big U, which I believe was his first novel. As usual in his oeuvre it’s filled with amazingly huge ideas that he obviously understands in proper context better than your average skiffy hack latching onto the concept of the hour. Sure, it’s got some truly ridiculous plot twists, but it’s a black comedy, so I can forgive the giant mutant rats and Baltoslovenian terrorists.

]]> By: IvyMike http://boingboing.net/2007/12/10/interface-neal-steph.html#comment-90727 IvyMike Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-90727 I'm pretty sure this book came true. Remember the <A HREF="http://www.fair.org/index.php?page=2012">Bush jacket bulge?</A> The <A HREF="http://www.dailykos.com/story/2004/10/14/21837/563">drooping face</A> and occasional slurred speech? I'm pretty sure it's all evidence pointing towards the neural control system from this book. I’m pretty sure this book came true.

Remember the Bush jacket bulge? The drooping face and occasional slurred speech? I’m pretty sure it’s all evidence pointing towards the neural control system from this book.

]]> By: Moon http://boingboing.net/2007/12/10/interface-neal-steph.html#comment-90742 Moon Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-90742 An odd coincidence: I just picked up this book one week ago to read for the second time. It's one of the few Stephenson books I haven't read many times. An odd coincidence: I just picked up this book one week ago to read for the second time. It’s one of the few Stephenson books I haven’t read many times.

]]> By: bottyguy http://boingboing.net/2007/12/10/interface-neal-steph.html#comment-90770 bottyguy Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-90770 I have both <i>Interface</i> and <i>The Cobweb</i>, I much prefer <i>The Cobweb</i>. The description of Midwestern life in a college is right out of my memory. I especially like the butcher shop stuff. I have both Interface and The Cobweb, I much prefer The Cobweb. The description of Midwestern life in a college is right out of my memory. I especially like the butcher shop stuff.

]]> By: Brad S. http://boingboing.net/2007/12/10/interface-neal-steph.html#comment-91048 Brad S. Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-91048 Great recommendation. Well into the story, the governor is discussing The Network and its ability to operate just below the surface of the public consciousness. His closest advisor spots a flock of birds spinning in the sky, and comments how the mass of birds can swoop and suddenly shrink in size to apparently nothing - then suddenly turn and grow to intimidating size again. I forget the exact wording, but it was such a well-written passage that every time I spot a mass of fast-moving birds in the sky I think of this book. Great recommendation.

Well into the story, the governor is discussing The Network and its ability to operate just below the surface of the public consciousness. His closest advisor spots a flock of birds spinning in the sky, and comments how the mass of birds can swoop and suddenly shrink in size to apparently nothing – then suddenly turn and grow to intimidating size again. I forget the exact wording, but it was such a well-written passage that every time I spot a mass of fast-moving birds in the sky I think of this book.

]]> By: ella http://boingboing.net/2007/12/10/interface-neal-steph.html#comment-90800 ella Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-90800 I love this book, and I'd like to reiterate the previous poster's recommendation of <i>The Cobweb</i>, especially pertinent in these days of Iraq the sequel I love this book, and I’d like to reiterate the previous poster’s recommendation of The Cobweb, especially pertinent in these days of Iraq the sequel

]]> By: valis http://boingboing.net/2007/12/10/interface-neal-steph.html#comment-90804 valis Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-90804 I bought this book new a few years ago from <a href="http://www.unclehugo.com/prod/">Uncle Hugo's</a> (The oldest independent science fiction bookstore in America. Founded in 1974.) I was delighted to find it signed when I got home. This happened again with Quicksilver as well. I bought this book new a few years ago from Uncle Hugo’s (The oldest independent science fiction bookstore in America. Founded in 1974.) I was delighted to find it signed when I got home. This happened again with Quicksilver as well.

]]> By: strandloper http://boingboing.net/2007/12/10/interface-neal-steph.html#comment-93625 strandloper Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-93625 I own both the "Stephen Bury" books, along with all the other Stephenson books. The only ones I find hard reading are the System of the World trilogy. I'm halfway through the second volume and it's really slow going. I own both the “Stephen Bury” books, along with all the other Stephenson books. The only ones I find hard reading are the System of the World trilogy. I’m halfway through the second volume and it’s really slow going.

]]> By: Outsdr http://boingboing.net/2007/12/10/interface-neal-steph.html#comment-91620 Outsdr Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-91620 >if you liked the Cryptonomicon exegesis on eating Cap'n Crunch cereal, you will love this book. Ugh. That was the worst part of the entire book. >if you liked the Cryptonomicon exegesis on eating Cap’n Crunch cereal, you will love this book.

Ugh. That was the worst part of the entire book.

]]> By: buddy66 http://boingboing.net/2007/12/10/interface-neal-steph.html#comment-340454 buddy66 Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-340454 Stephenson tells me more about more things I don't want to know more about than any writer I know. Stephenson tells me more about more things I don’t want to know more about than any writer I know.

]]> By: Soon Lee http://boingboing.net/2007/12/10/interface-neal-steph.html#comment-91124 Soon Lee Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-91124 MWISCONSIN #9: That must really limit the pool of SF you can read to a small, select subset of mainly very recent works? LICENSE FARM #18: The giant mutant rats were totally cool in the context of the LARP. MWISCONSIN #9:
That must really limit the pool of SF you can read to a small, select subset of mainly very recent works?

LICENSE FARM #18:
The giant mutant rats were totally cool in the context of the LARP.

]]> By: Matthew Miller http://boingboing.net/2007/12/10/interface-neal-steph.html#comment-90616 Matthew Miller Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-90616 The other "Stephen Bury" book, <i>The Cobweb</i>, is also well worth reading. And it has a nice, satisfying ending. The other “Stephen Bury” book, The Cobweb, is also well worth reading. And it has a nice, satisfying ending.

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