“One day in 1979, while logged in to San Diego State University’s principal computer from his home, #VernorVinge found himself chatting to another user via the #TALK program, both using implausible names and trying to figure out each other’s true name. “Afterwards, I realised that I had just lived a #ScienceFiction story – at least by the standards of my childhood,””
The book, written in 2006, was set in 2025 in San Diego. Its author, Vernor Vinge, died yesterday, March 20, 2024, in nearby La Jolla, at the age of 79.
Rainbows end explores themes such as shared realities, digital surveillance, and the digitisation of the world, years before Marc Andreessen proclaimed that "software is eating the word", describing it much more colorfully and rich than Andreessen ever did.
But first he wrote some of the most amazing books I've ever read. Don't miss out on them.
Currently re-reading "A Fire upon the Deep" and it's still amazing the second time around. So many interesting concepts, like pack consciousness and the ups and downs of using audio signals for thinking.
The next book in the series, "A Deepness in the Sky" is one of my all-time favourites and made me see spiders in a whole new light.
I am saddened to learn of Vernor Vinge's passing. I love everything I read by him, which was most of his fiction.
I had the rare luck to be on a panel with him at Penguicon some years back. It was only the two of us and he was an amazing copanelist. Thoroughly approachable and kind despite my tongue tied awe. The peak of an amazing trip that I also got to spend with a couple of very good friends.
I'm truly sad to hear that Vernor Vinge passed away yesterday. A kind and brilliant person who wrote top-tier science fiction and taught computer science. I was lucky enough to meet and correspond with him over the years. He was always considerate and thoughtful to me, and I've heard many similar stories from others. He was truly a gift to all of us. I will miss him terribly.