What’s the relevant difference between Banks’ Sublimation and Vinge’s Transcend? Vinge divides up his Zones of Thought by galactic geography, whereas Banks does it by physical dimensions, but surely that doesn’t matter. Is it that Vinge talks about Transcendence being an inherently dangerous process, whereas in Banks’ universe it seems virtually impossible for Sublimation to go wrong?
Vinge gives you a huge, blatant plot device up front and doesn’t try to rationalize it or handwave it. I’m okay with that on a literary level, just like I’d be okay with Banks just not talking about RSI.
I still don’t understand what is it that you think Banks is doing that Vinge isn’t, that makes you unable to enjoy Banks. Although on second thought maybe it’s better that I don’t find out, in case I become similarly afflicted. :)
What’s the relevant difference between Banks’ Sublimation and Vinge’s Transcend? Vinge divides up his Zones of Thought by galactic geography, whereas Banks does it by physical dimensions, but surely that doesn’t matter. Is it that Vinge talks about Transcendence being an inherently dangerous process, whereas in Banks’ universe it seems virtually impossible for Sublimation to go wrong?
Vinge gives you a huge, blatant plot device up front and doesn’t try to rationalize it or handwave it. I’m okay with that on a literary level, just like I’d be okay with Banks just not talking about RSI.
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Do you mean this?
Thanks.
… why did you try to post a link to that?
I still don’t understand what is it that you think Banks is doing that Vinge isn’t, that makes you unable to enjoy Banks. Although on second thought maybe it’s better that I don’t find out, in case I become similarly afflicted. :)
I always saw Subliming as the blatant plot device that thankfully he didn’t try to explain.