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A review by effervescentsoul
The Diamond Age: Or, a Young Lady's Illustrated Primer by Neal Stephenson
5.0
Neal Stephenson never fails to captivate my attention, and Diamond Age is no exception. In this version of our near future, nationalism has been replaced by affiliation groups of choice, and the ability to conjure matter out of energy has made hunger a thing of the past. Against this backdrop, we follow the story of Nell, a young girl with no prospects that chances upon something that changes her life forever.
Stephenson, with his usual wit and lush prose, delves into the questions of class, entitlement, evolution, and creativity. He explores the ideas of nurture versus nature, and the ways that comfort can make us soft. Is it necessary to face early challenges in order to develop the drive to maximize our potential? He explores the ideas of cultural evolution and asks the question, where is it that we are going at such a breakneck pace?
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys contemplating what new technology means in the face of human and cultural evolution. Neal Stephenson has a wonderful way with words, and his imagination keeps the storyline interesting and surprising. If you haven't read his work before, this would be a great place to start.
Stephenson, with his usual wit and lush prose, delves into the questions of class, entitlement, evolution, and creativity. He explores the ideas of nurture versus nature, and the ways that comfort can make us soft. Is it necessary to face early challenges in order to develop the drive to maximize our potential? He explores the ideas of cultural evolution and asks the question, where is it that we are going at such a breakneck pace?
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys contemplating what new technology means in the face of human and cultural evolution. Neal Stephenson has a wonderful way with words, and his imagination keeps the storyline interesting and surprising. If you haven't read his work before, this would be a great place to start.