Wildcards III : Jokers Wild - Edited by George R R Martin

Written by Edward Bryant, Leanne C. Harper, George R. R. Martin, John J. Miller, Lewis Shiner, Walton Simons, Melinda M. Snodgrass.

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Guns, Germs and Steel - Jared Diamond (Abridged Audio Book)

Systematically and thoroughly makes the argument for the overriding impact of environment factors on the rate of technological development of the variety of human cultures in the last 13,000 years. This book clearly and eloquently debunks the common, subconsciously or consciously, held misconception that the pre-eminence of western culture in technology and innovation is a result of some genetic superiority.

The book summarises by presenting four major environmental factors for different rates of technological development in post Pleostine mankind:

1. Density and variety of naturally occurring fauna and flora.

2. Ease of intra continental diffusion of ideas and technology. Significance of Eurasia's east west axis vs America and Africa?s north south axis.

3. Ease of inter continental diffusion of ideas and technology.

4. Size and potential population differences between the continents.

These four factors having a crucial impact on the tendency for human groups to adopt food producing societies (as opposed to hunter gatherer societies) and subsequently gain the benefits of a sedentary existence, increased population potential, potential for non-food producing specialists (like scribes, bureaucrats, professional soldiers, etc).

Because of the auto-catalytic nature of technology in human society these environmental factors have been compounded over the last 13,000 years to the point were we can see such a difference in the wealth of technology developed on each of the major continents.

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Neuromancer - William Gibson (Audio Book)

Case?s chrome skeleton and transucent flesh tripping on Betaphenethylamine. An AI controlled microlite glider decapitating a Turing agent on the Freeside archipelago. Molly the street samurai with inset mirror lenses for eyes and extendible razor fingertips. The Dixie flatline, a dead hacker?s consciousness with a spine twisting laugh.

This book defines Cyberpunk for me.

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Dune - Frank Herbert (Audio Book)

I quite enjoyed the Dune prequels by Brian Herbert and Kevin Anderson. Ironically, however, I was left a bit flat by the original "Dune".

It was very clever and obviously laid all the complex, rich groundwork for the Dune universe, but I found the character development a bit shallow and unfortunate inconsistencies in continuity with the prequel books (obviously not a criticism of this book) tended to interrupt my suspension of disbelief.

I have the following 5 books in this series, but I am not sure if I will get back into the Dune universe for a while.

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Wildcards II: Aces High - Edited by George R R Martin

"Pennies from Hell" by Lewis Shiner
"Unto the Sixth Generation: Prologue" by Walter Jon Williams
"Ashes to Ashes" by Roger Zelazny
"Unto the Sixth Generation: Part One" by Walter Jon Williams
"Unto the Sixth Generation: Part Two" by Walter Jon Williams
"If Looks Could Kill" by Walton Simons
"Unto the Sixth Generation: Epilogue" by Walter Jon Williams
"Winter?s Chill" by George R. R. Martin
"Relative Difficulties" by Melinda M. Snodgrass
"With a Little Help From His Friends" by Victor Milan
"By Lost Ways" by Pat Cadigan
"Mr. Koyama?s Comet" by Walter Jon Williams
"Half Past Dead" by John J. Miller

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