Category Archives: Science/Engineering

I enjoyed this sequel to Greg Bear’s Darwin’s Radio—only about $12 for both on the Kindle. The sequel was as touching and affective as the first novel. I also appreciated the hard-science plot and the definitions and sources in  the back of DC. I had spent a fair amount of reading time wondering how much of the whole genomic story of the creation of a new sub species of Homo could possibly ever happen all at once like that.

Not much chance, apparently, though Bear makes clear that molecular biologists aren’t all that sure. (Somehow I had overlooked the genetic origin of viruses and that, alone, was worth the price of admission.) I also enjoyed his surprising conjoining of science and belief. Nicely done.

I could have done without the villainy attached to the Republicans and FoxNews. As I recall, when SF masters like Heinlein blamed pols, they did not specify party and used fictitious journalists as stand-ins for the industry.

I wonder why modern SF writers like Bear (and Stross, to name another who also does it) don’t follow suit but, instead, feel the need to push their personal politics in their readers’ faces. Sign of the times, I suppose, or maybe their editors/publishers require it. That wouldn’t surprise me. Still, despite this flaw (neither book wallows in it), both were worthy, absorbing tales I recommend to all.