A little more about Fiasco
Oh, yeah, I forgot to say if I actually liked the book. The answer is "yes", but in that complex way that intelligent hard science-fiction creates in me. In most ways I find the science porn end of it so absurd. Fantasy authors rarely spend whole chapters talking about the confused and pointless metaphysics behind magic (though some do), why should equally fabulous epistemologies be so much the part of science-fiction? Clarke was right that it might as well be magic, so don't try to describe how it works! You can't, any more than a caveman can describe an automobile's operation!
On the other hand, Lem has a lot of interesting stuff to say about human arrogance and communications that is relevant to both my interests and is well done. So, I liked Fiasco but in a complex way.
On the other hand, Lem has a lot of interesting stuff to say about human arrogance and communications that is relevant to both my interests and is well done. So, I liked Fiasco but in a complex way.