Post ADXSlbK5b91zgCGPFw by natecull@mastodon.social
(DIR) More posts by natecull@mastodon.social
(DIR) Post #ADXByPTdFpo7U2FVmy by urusan@fosstodon.org
2021-11-18T18:59:40Z
1 likes, 0 repeats
If you haven't read Cryptonomicon by Neal Stephenson, you should.I haven't read it in many years, so I'm not sure how well it has aged, especially the parts set in the 1990s.However, the book contains a crucial kernel of truth I haven't found elsewhere. It has survived huge political shifts I underwent, as well as contact with the real world.
(DIR) Post #ADXC6FjjLvSPahWEM4 by chiasm@mastodon.online
2021-11-18T19:01:04Z
0 likes, 0 repeats
@urusan the only thing I remember from that book is the description of being "heroin-seeky". That was such a clear idea and so helpful in understanding addictive tendencies I've kept it throughout the decades since then...
(DIR) Post #ADXCcOOigbr9ig15ns by urusan@fosstodon.org
2021-11-18T19:06:53Z
0 likes, 0 repeats
@chiasm It really did cover a lot of ground, didn't it?I guess it is a massive book.
(DIR) Post #ADXCiS225V7ajCIHdw by chiasm@mastodon.online
2021-11-18T19:07:59Z
0 likes, 0 repeats
@urusan yes and wasn't it jumping back and forth in the timeline? I enjoyed the WWII storyline more than the "current" one, if I recall correctly.
(DIR) Post #ADXDP2Bu2Tet2JDRYG by urusan@fosstodon.org
2021-11-18T19:15:42Z
1 likes, 0 repeats
@chiasm Yeah, I also enjoyed the WW2 part more.The modern day story is important too though, because it's about continuity between the eras.Without the modern story, set in one of the most peaceful eras of recent history, it's easy to think of what was going on in the WW2 story as a special case, unique to that historical period.
(DIR) Post #ADXDmFyCyUKKQpsq80 by chiasm@mastodon.online
2021-11-18T19:19:53Z
0 likes, 0 repeats
@urusan Well that IS a good point. I hadn't seen it that way.
(DIR) Post #ADXJDKNdBZt9hOVE7k by funnylookinhat@fosstodon.org
2021-11-18T20:20:46Z
0 likes, 0 repeats
@urusan Absolutely loved that book! And hey - there's my copy on the shelf... maybe I'll give it another read through the holiday season while I have some time off!
(DIR) Post #ADXSlbK5b91zgCGPFw by natecull@mastodon.social
2021-11-18T22:07:51Z
0 likes, 0 repeats
@urusan I read it way back when because everyone on Slashdot was talking about it, but, I can't say I enjoyed it very much, and I kind of doubt that I would these days either.As I recall the frontstory was about extreme libertarians using Nazi gold to set up an unregulated cryptocurrency kind of thing? And the book was so libertarian that I can't even remember if the author thought this made them the good guys or the bad guys. I feel like Stephenson would be probably be selling NFTs today?
(DIR) Post #ADXSq6aNJ2ppnV1qsK by natecull@mastodon.social
2021-11-18T22:08:40Z
0 likes, 0 repeats
@urusan I read it way back when because everyone on Slashdot was talking about it, but, I can't say I enjoyed it very much, and I kind of doubt that I would these days either.As I recall the frontstory was about extreme libertarians using Nazi gold to set up an unregulated money laundering server? And the book was so libertarian that I can't even remember if the author thought this made them the good guys or the bad guys. I feel like Stephenson would be probably be selling NFTs today?
(DIR) Post #ADXnsQk3R2vbvXVSFs by willdaly@fosstodon.org
2021-11-19T02:04:15Z
0 likes, 0 repeats
@urusan love it when fiction includes a (real) encryption algorithm!https://www.schneier.com/academic/solitaire/