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mjfmjfmjf's review against another edition
4.0
Great ideas about raising/teaching artificial/virtual life. However no real conclusion. And I didn't particularly like the style of writing. But mostly this was a swing-for-the-fences that didn't quite hit its mark. This was the worst of the Subterranean Press novellas though - clearly this is a great series of books.
imm627's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
niya_velichkova's review against another edition
dark
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
sabrinabell's review against another edition
3.75
Very mixed feelings but I like the ethical questions it raises. Makes for good discussion
jnieto's review against another edition
3.0
A narrated reflection on sentient, self-conscious AIs, their potential ways of learning and emotional connection with humans
"I think creating software that feels emotions will be a necessary step towards creating software that actually thinks, in much the same way that brains capable of emotion are an evolutionary predecessor to brains capable of thought."
"I think creating software that feels emotions will be a necessary step towards creating software that actually thinks, in much the same way that brains capable of emotion are an evolutionary predecessor to brains capable of thought."
alexager5028's review against another edition
3.0
This is the first story by Ted Chiang that I didn’t get anything out of. It felt overly long, and took a strange turn in the second half. A bit surprising given his otherwise stellar track record.
essinink's review against another edition
4.0
Maybe more like 4.5/5.
I usually prefer longer works, but I appreciate Chiang ' s talent for brevity. this is one of those works that would have bogged down had it been any longer than it is.
As other reviews have already noted, this is a book of ideas, from software obselescence to ai ethics. When does an artificial lifeform gain rights? To what extent? What are the ramifications of discarding a sapient personality when it's engine is no longer supported (even if the entity would be unaware of the passage of time)? Can we apply morality and ethics to the virtual world?
And, of course, the side commentary on engagement with software over reality, but what is 'real' anyway?
Needless to say, I liked this book. On a personal note, I'll also admit that I got a certain amount of cheesy nostalgia out of it. The digients reminded me of advanced versions of the Norns from Creatures (anyone else remember those?)
I usually prefer longer works, but I appreciate Chiang ' s talent for brevity. this is one of those works that would have bogged down had it been any longer than it is.
As other reviews have already noted, this is a book of ideas, from software obselescence to ai ethics. When does an artificial lifeform gain rights? To what extent? What are the ramifications of discarding a sapient personality when it's engine is no longer supported (even if the entity would be unaware of the passage of time)? Can we apply morality and ethics to the virtual world?
And, of course, the side commentary on engagement with software over reality, but what is 'real' anyway?
Needless to say, I liked this book. On a personal note, I'll also admit that I got a certain amount of cheesy nostalgia out of it. The digients reminded me of advanced versions of the Norns from Creatures (anyone else remember those?)
jonmhansen's review against another edition
5.0
Wow. As a parent, I actually found this a hard book to read. The raising of the childlike AIs to "adulthood" was very well done, and it felt like raising real kids. All too often there are no right or wrong answers, just hard choices. I found it rather moving as a result.