Singularity
What if the cataclysmic Tunguska explosion of 1908 was caused, not by a meteor or a comet, but by a microscopic black hole?
What if that fantastic object — smaller than an atom, older than the stars, heavier than a mountain — is still down there, orbiting deep inside the earth, slowly consuming the planet?
What if only a rookie government agent and an uncannily-insightful consultant stand between a renegade Russian billionaire and his plans to use the black hole to change history — or end it?
What if it’s all true?
* Winner of the Gold Medal for Science Fiction in Foreword Magazine’s Book of the Year Awards
* Winner of the Independent Publishers Association’s Ippy prize for Best Fantasy/Science Fiction novel of 2004
“Singularity is a swift, gripping novel with a goose-pimple mix of scary science and near-future action. An excellent debut from Bill DeSmedt — and I’ll be looking forward to his next one!” — Greg Bear, Hugo and Nebula award-winning author
“DeSmedt veers an action-packed thriller into perilous realms of black hole physics. The combination of adrenaline and intellect sizzles.” — David Brin, Hugo and Nebula award-winning author
March 18th, 2006 at 10:16 am
I can’t get this podcast. Every time I try It says unknown. Are the files just knot there yet?
Susie
March 18th, 2006 at 12:14 pm
No…there was a slight hiccup earlier today. All is well now.
March 21st, 2006 at 9:16 am
The idea of “the cataclysmic Tunguska explosion of 1908 caused, not by a meteor or a comet, but by a microscopic black hole” is [libelous and unfounded comments removed so this boy doesn’t get his ass sued off. Let’s call it “borrowed”] whole cloth from Earth by David Brin © 1990 Bantam books.
Did someone say [one more edit, to keep him out of legal water. Gotta watch what you say, people], or was that just a sneeze?
March 21st, 2006 at 1:13 pm
Actually, the idea comes from a 1973 article published in the scientific journal NATURE. Presumably Brin also got his idea from that article.
I’ve read both Earth and Singularity and they’re extremely different. Both good mind you, but not much alike.
You might want to think a bit before you cry ‘plagarism’ the next time. If such stuff was actually happening here do you think David Brin would have given such a great blurb?
March 22nd, 2006 at 12:24 am
I’ve read this book - - even reviewed it for SFReader.com (http://www.sfreader.com/read_review.asp?book=725).
Definitely a good read; I’m curious to check out the Podio version.
April 6th, 2006 at 8:30 pm
This is actually the third novel I’ve read based on the Tunguska event, and by far the best. I’ve even forgotten the names of the other two. In addition, the arguments in Singularity for a PBH are quite convincing.
I haven’t decided yet if this is Science Fiction or a Technothriller.
The read is excellent also. If it’s read by the author he has another possible career ahead of him.
April 6th, 2006 at 8:35 pm
I’ve read Singularity and just listened to the podcast - both are fantastic. Smart, sexy, and action packed - this was one of those novels I had to finish and look forward to reading again. Move over James Bond franchise - finally a story that has equal measures of an intelligent leading man … who outwits the very evil (and smart) “bad guys” …and an intelligent leading woman who can outwit and pummel them all and look great doing it. I’m looking forward to a sequel.
April 7th, 2006 at 6:25 am
All of my other reading had to move aside, once I started Singularity. I just couldn’t keep my hands off of it. I found it a great thriller with lots of science, intrigue and very engrossing. The podcast works well and I especially like the fact that the author himself tells the story. I hope to see this as a movie.
April 7th, 2006 at 7:34 am
I read Singularity in a single weekend, and enjoyed hearing DeSmedt’s reading of it as much as the initial read. I was pulled along by the power of the story, the appealing three-dimensionality of the characters, the well-researched science, and DeSmedt’s imaginative extension of existing science. Singularity would make a great movie, with its strong characters, fast-moving plot, and vivid visual descriptions. I’ll be watching for it.
April 23rd, 2006 at 8:33 am
I loved the book and now there is a podcast. I was thrilled to have found it. My only concern is that time spent on the podcast is time not spent on writing the sequel. And if more folks listen to this voice, there may be offers for him to start another career as well. Mr. DeSmedt, no matter what else you do, please keep writing!
June 20th, 2006 at 11:04 am
Wow, the latest chapter has a pretty hot sex scene in it… awkward and regrettable, and suprisingly candid for a thriller. I’m not sure if I am disgusted or want more of the same. Either way, I’m going to keep listening.
June 23rd, 2006 at 9:42 am
I was hooked on this until we got into the late “teen” episodes where it devolved into smut. The author needs to grow up! We had adventure, we had bad guys, innocents drawn in, science, history, and then its all thrown into the “oh, I forgot the smut” pot of cheap writing.
June 23rd, 2006 at 3:39 pm
I have listened twice and I must have missed it completely. Where is this “smut” that Josh is talking about? This is an adult novel, and adults to adult things…GET OVER IT!!
I find this to be one of THE MOST intelligently read and written novels that I have found here at podiobooks.com. It’s well written and entertaining, and unlike a LOT of the home-grown podcast sci-fi that I’ve listened to…IT’S SENSIBLE!
I shan’t embarass anyone by citing specifics but some new authors of “science” fiction don’t have a clue when it comes to the actual science involved in their stories. Bill DeSmedt does NOT fall into that category. Bill’s work is intelligent AND clever and believable.
As for the other aspects of content…great characters, well fleshed out.
Good story line and VERY good pacing, for the most part.
As for technical…excellent sound quality (although I hate the intro/outro music choice).
Voice characterization…wonderful. (Except that Bill should work on his Italian accent as that came across more German than Italian.)
Over all, on a scale of 1 to 10, I’ve got to give Singularity and Bill DeSmedt a solid 9. I’m EAGERLY awaiting the next episode.
-Bear
silverbear@gmail.com
July 7th, 2006 at 1:55 am
What were you listening to Bear? Did you miss the whole boat segment? It was pointless smut for no plot advanment. What did it add to the story, nothing, it was simply a pointless pornography moment.
As for getting over it…( burning )… I’m not adverse to sexual content in its place, which is “contextual”. This story was rolling along perfectly, then BAM! suddenly its fallen over the storys gone, the author or his editor is having fantasies.
Bear, in everything else you say, your right.
July 9th, 2006 at 1:32 pm
I think Josh is missing a lot of the artistry in good literature. The story in a good book is not simply a plot. It is a number of plot lines that advance the story and/or develop our understanding of the characters. All these factor together in the climax of the story. While we may not like everything a story says or a character does, these elements are an integral part of the story so long a they are not extraneous to the main story or inconsistent among themselves. I think Singularity does a marvelous job of moving numerous plot lines along and developing each of its characters. While some of us may not like the fact that the main characters are sexually active or that the bad guys murder innocent victims the actions are highly appropriate for the characters and germane to the story. I thoroughly enjoyed Singularity (both the book and the podcast) and look forward to Bill’s next book.
July 11th, 2006 at 4:42 am
(Warning — maybe some spoilers)
My take on the Rusalka “love explosion”:
Josh: Maybe the podcast needs the explicit tag. Maybe the scene was too graphic for some. But think it was was necessary, as others have described, to further develop the Marianna character and the relationship with John. She’s a new agent. A rookie. She still suffers from some indiscretion which could get her and the mission into trouble. She had a crush on John anyway and the covert mission made her horny.
I am not trying to insult you… Have you never experienced a similar “fling”? It is almost always true that such indiscretion changes a good relationship, not for the better. I think this is what the author is trying to show. Again, maybe too graphic. But sometimes, this is how the written work is, so the reader can really understand the intensity. There is no visual so the writer must rely on the reader to convert the written (or in this case, the spoken) word to his or her own imagination. Much of that is fairly intense to get the point across. It’s like that in most novels. Otherwise, they would be very boring novels.
Like Steve says, I love Singularity. I have enjoyed waking to a “new”episode everyday due to podiobooks.com’s daily delivery system but now I have “caught up to the author”. Sadly, I have to wait til Bill gets each episode out.
July 16th, 2006 at 11:33 am
This book causes my mind to just spin with ideas to boggle most people. The science of microscopic black holes has always held a fascination to me ever since I read “The Borderland of Sol” by Larry Niven and this story that focuses on such an event is so cool.
July 17th, 2006 at 2:36 pm
I am now hooked into this book. I’ve caught up and now unfortunately will have to wait week after week until we come to appears to be a very cataclysmic ending.
For those trying to decide if this should be the next book to start on, I would say yes…if you are patient person.
Unlike some other authors on here, Bill is not as charismatic of a reader as some other authors in the podiobooks club, in reality Bill sounds, at times, very much like the systems analyst that his main character is. Also at times it feels he’s adding in too much extraneous detail, in order to make the book a specific length. But many authors do this too, so no major fault there. But once you get going in the story and you feel you are involved with the characters- you should enjoy this story. Bill has tried to make the science easily understood and does a good job at trying to keep all of it as realistic as possible, so no major suspension of disbelief- which makes the story that much better. And I truly hope it stays that way.
Looking forward to see how he ends this tale…
August 9th, 2006 at 8:39 am
Bill: I realize that your book is already complete and published, but I thought I’d make a suggestion for your next book–ditch the soft porn. Chapter 30 reminds me of those cheesy soft porn movies Showtime used to show late at night in the late 80s. Gag me. A certain amount of love interest/sex is fine, but this comes off cheap. The rest of your book is top notch. You don’t need the sex, you’re a superb author.
August 9th, 2006 at 6:28 pm
Hey, Max, I usta like those cheesy Showtime movies!
Seriously, thank you for your kind words and well-intentioned advice. If the next book, Dualism, includes more of the sorts of scenes you characterize as porn (and it does), rest assured it’s not — or not solely — to get a “rise” out of the reader.
On the contrary, I find sex provides us authors with unparalleled opportunities to explore aspects of character otherwise kept under wraps, so to speak. In its throes, we perforce submit to being utterly unguarded, oblivious to all else but the eternal Now and the unknowable Other, literally naked. The baring of bodies works, for me at least, as metaphor for the baring of souls.
Take, for instance, the second scene in Chapter 30. What I was trying to do there was show Jonathan Knox having been so caught up in the moment as to experience a flash of Klieg-light clarity — perhaps the closest he comes in the book to realizing who and what he is. Only the individual reader or listener can say whether I succeeded. I do know that, when my friend and Smith psychology professor read that particular passage, she said “Huh!”, as if much had been made clear.
In closing, I’d have to say in all honesty that I think there’s only one truly pornographic moment in Singularity. And it comes towards the end of Chapter 2.
Best regards,
Bill
August 10th, 2006 at 1:02 pm
Bill,
Thanks for your reply. Man, I never thought I’d hear directly from you!!!
I’m not surprized by your response because I did notice the way the characters were bearing their souls to the reader as they were bearing their bums, so to speak. I just think it could have been a little less graphic and still accoplished the same goal. But hey, you’re the published author and I’m still a wannabe. And please don’t think I’m preaching morality–I obviously watched quite a few of the aforementioned Showtime movies in order to be able to make the reference
Seriously–great job on Singularity, and I look forward to reading Dualism. And thank you for making Singularity available by podcast. Even though you’re giving it away, I think in the end the exposure you’re getting is priceless.
Thanks.
Max
August 10th, 2006 at 1:31 pm
[…] Anyway, the web page of the book on podiobooks.com has a link to a blog where you can leave feedback about the book. I left some feedback to the author, expressing my feelings about the scenes, and lo-and-behold he personally responded! I was excited (can’t you tell). I’m probably blowing this way out of proportion, but it was fun for me to think that an actual published author can get my feedback, and even respond to me. Who knows, I probably won’t have any influence on his next book, but you never know. Here’s a link to my comment and his response. You may have to scroll down a way to find it. […]
August 31st, 2006 at 1:26 pm
This really is one of the best listens around, and demands a donation. As far as the sex scenes go, I can take ‘em or leave ‘em, but I dislike rather more the two or four episodes that are detailed exposition. Maybe it lends credibility to the science, but it seems to me that much of it could be done a lot more concisely, which would still make the point, but not leave the story behind for so long. Otherwise, it’s a great story, and extremely well read, particularly in comparison with (sadly) many of the readings on podiobooks.
September 9th, 2006 at 11:31 pm
The best podcast novel I’ve heard so far. The first that is so good it shamed me into making a donation - I’m really looking forward to the ending… will be disappointed when it’s over.
And on another subject - as a knowledge engineer, do you think the Open Cyc project will lead to practical “personal assistant” applications? And are you aware of any available (free) software that can simulate a person?
I’d like to find a way to create a personality simulator to “store” my parent’s mindsets/knowledgebases/wisdom… but something that can also learn. Pretty tall order…
September 10th, 2006 at 6:49 am
Charles –
Thanks for the kind words! As to your other questions:
No person-simulators on the market just yet. But I attended a briefing just this past week by DARPA’s Dr. David Gunning on the “PAL” (Perceptive/Personal Assistant that Learns) program he’s managing. PAL has 22 research institutions on board (under two separate initiatives, CALO and RADAR), all trying to produce a combination symbolic/statistical system able to infer a user’s personal workstyle and then perhaps simulate the user for some functions. Worth tracking, in any case.
As to your longterm goal, I’m in the same boat, wishing I could store and save something of the wisdom of an aging parent before it slips away. The most poignant (fictional) treatment of that subject I know of is Alexander Jablokov’s short story “Living Will,” in Jack Dann and Gardner Dozois’s collection HACKERS (Ace 1996). But regrettably we’re not there yet, by any means. Wish I had better news.
Best,
Bill
September 22nd, 2006 at 5:24 pm
This is such a good “read”. A great story. I too, like Charlie Wallace, have donated to my first Podcast, for similar reasons and although it was a pitiful amount can only hope that it goes some way to helping Bill De Smedt continue to produce more fine Podcast Stories. I’m addicted. I disagree that the author is not as charismatic as other authors. His pace is measured and I believe deliberate. His narration very clear and the voices for each character are distinct and unmistakable. With each utterance you immediately know who that character is. An exciting story and creatively told.
My only gripe is that I have to endure the wait until the next episode.
December 26th, 2006 at 7:04 am
I just discovered Podiobooks.com and what a gem to pick “Singularity” as my first listen. I am a long time lover of audio books and have listened to over 150 in the past 20 years as I travel a great deal in my car.
“Singularity” is a hit, in my opinion in all facets of audio books. The story was compelling and educational, which is a difficult combination, and Mr. DeSmedt’s narration was as good as the many professional actors I have listened to over the years. The narration was so good in fact that I assumed it was being read by a professional and was amazed when I discovered it was the author. Very few folks that are brilliant enough to write such a great novel are also skilled enough to read it aloud including pulling off the many voices so expertly.
I also loved the question and answer episode released at the end of the subscription. I think it would have been a bit better with just Mr. DeSmedt, leaving out the silly banter of the hosts, but he answered many of the questions that had popped up in my mind during the story.
Fact based fiction is my favorite genre and this book is at the top of the heap. I look forward to the next book.
David
January 4th, 2007 at 3:26 pm
i can honestly say that this is the best piece of recent writing that i have come across in years and leaps and bounds above the rest of the podiobook crew (that ive heard at least). on top of the no joke “world class” writing, there has been none of the ten minute long egotistical rantings before each episode that has turned me off to several of the other writers. if that was what some of you all call “charisma”, you can keep it. sorry, but that junk struck me as dorky power tripping. as far as sex scenes, i think they were tasteful enough and i personally didnt pay too much attention, i can see how they might have been a distraction to some. i think a little more left to the imagination could have still captured the build up of the characters, but who the hell am i to judge. this guy is great. there are franchise “techno thrillers” making millions (cussler comes to mind) out there who cant come close to touching this - in content, texture, or style. i looked around like crazy to try to find mr desmedt’s email to send some praise from a lowly consumer who will buy all that he can produce, but this is about as close as i could get, so if you read this, mr d, thanks for the good stuff and keep it coming. please make sure you publicize any book signings out in state college, cause id love to say it in person.
January 6th, 2007 at 12:03 am
Singularity was brilliant, fun, engaging and entertaining. I’d recommend it to anyone, and I can’t wait for the sequel.
January 24th, 2007 at 9:44 am
I don’t know about you guys, but I was really enjoying this book until somewhere around the 14th or 15th chapter when it seemed to take off in a really bizzarre direction. I’m having trouble slogging through it now, it seems much longer than it needs to be and the storyline is convoluted and meandering.
This is a shame because in the beginning it was good hardcore science fiction and I liked the idea, though it is hardly unique. I’ll try to keep pushing through, but the sign of a really good book should be when you do NOT have to work so hard for the storyline.
Another Larry
February 21st, 2007 at 9:36 am
Absolutely brilliant book. I found the premise intriguing and it forced me to do some research on Tunguska. I had heard of it and Jackson Ryan in college. Well done, sir. I’ll add my voice to the throng waiting for Duality.
Andrew
February 23rd, 2007 at 9:09 pm
I came across Singularity in its audiobook format close to a year ago now and I am just as enraptured now as I was when I first listened to it.
So inspired was I, that I purchased a copy of the book (which is a beautiful edition) and have read through it several times more. The story itself is an amalgam of intrigue, action, love, science and natural disasters all culminating in an exhilarating ride. The author’s use of imagery, language (both the breadth of vocabulary in English as well as Russian), and his obvious familiarity with the Russian culture and nuances lead to a well layered and believable cast of characters. Moreover, in the audiobook version, the author’s use of dialects and accents adds more than a tinge of authenticity and dare I say, menace, to a well fleshed out story.
To resonate what Andrew Rowland wrote just before me, I found that this story, piqued my interest in the factual events of the Tunguska Event, black holes, and physics in general. I was never the front runner in science whilst in school, but this book actually made me regret I didn’t study harder — what absolutely fascinating material!
I truly believe that the greatest compliment an author can receive is that their work inspired another person in some small way. If you give this story a chance and let your imagination rule in the face of the improbable (remember some parts are fiction), this book will be a source of enjoyment worth a second and third read.
~CJ Wellman
March 7th, 2007 at 4:42 am
As I am from the Netherlands and English is not my first language, this podcast is sometimes a little difficult to follow, but in whole, it is a briliant novel. I’m not at the end yet, but i think this is one of the best if not the best podcast i’ve listened to so far. Keep up the good work!
March 18th, 2007 at 4:59 am
Bill, I’m too poor to afford the book (which only seems to be available as an import here in Australia), so instead I’ve requested the book at all 11 of the public libraries I belong to.
It’s awesome hard SF meets cool spy thriller, it’s smart and incredibly cool, and I loved it.
LG
March 19th, 2007 at 10:35 am
Hey, LG –
Thanks VM for the kind words and the support!
And I know where you’re coming from — at $25.95, the book *is* kind of pricey even here in the States. Can’t imagine what it’d be like with international shipping and customs duties slapped onto it.
A paperback edition would have eased the crunch, but t’was not to be. Fortunately, podcasting solves the low-cost distribution problem nicely — Let’s hear it for Evo, Chris, JC, and all the good folks at Podiobooks!
Best,
Bill
email: authorsingularitythebookcom
May 11th, 2007 at 9:21 pm
Ahh, Bill, you have written one outstanding novel.
I just could not stop listening! Your storytelling was so riveting I listened everywhere, including brushing my teeth. Your characters have depth, the pace and plot lines move quickly, and the science led me to research Tunguska.
Being married into a Russian family, I can say your accents are uncannily realistic as well.
Thank you very much for this excellent novel. I have just made my donation to you through PayPal.
Regards,
David
June 27th, 2007 at 12:23 pm
hey Bill, check out the story released today in Nature - though not yet substantiated, Luca Gasperini (bologna) claims to have found a lake that may have been created by an asteroid.
Published online: 27 June 2007; | doi:10.1038/news070625-8
Crater candidate spotted in Tunguska
Siberian lake could have been made by asteroid blast.
June 29th, 2007 at 7:00 pm
Hey, David,
Check out my expose of this bogus “discovery” on my “Accidental Author” blog at http://www.myspace.com/billdesmedt.
Bottom line: Lake Cheko couldn’t possibly be a crater formed in the Tunguska impact, because documentary evidence, including eyewitness accounts, prove that the lake was there long before the Tunguska Event.
There’s a good reason why the institution sponsoring this “research” is called the University of *Bologna*!
July 2nd, 2007 at 8:07 pm
All I can say is “WOW!” Very entertaining, engrossing and informative. I am up to chapter 32, and I am disappointed that it will all end soon. I have been a fan of speculative fiction for over 35 years, and although I enjoy “hard” sci-fi it can sometimes be too cerebral for me. This podiobook, on the other hand, is graced with characters that make the science behind the story quite understandable. The author’s reading is engrossing, and his obvious depth of Russian history, customs and culture are a treat that adds an extra dimension to the story. I was never a fan of text-sex, but I have to admit that Bill understands the male point of view! He treats the subject intelligently and with appropriate relationship to the story. I am not a professional critic, but I have been reading for a long time and Bill is just plain good. Damn good!
July 5th, 2007 at 9:22 am
Hey, Joseph –
Thanks for the kind words. I hope the rest of the chapters live up to the expectations generated by the first 32. One way or the other, though, I hope you’ll return to the Singularity Podiobooks page to *rate* it (Singularity is currently locked in a deathmatch with Matthew Wayne Selnick’s Brave Men Run for fourth place in the most Podiobooks ratings ever, so I’ve got to get out the vote!). Also, if you’re interested in the process (or lack thereof) that went into creating Singularity, check out my “Accidental Author” blog at http://www.myspace.com/billdesmedt
— Best, Bill
July 23rd, 2007 at 9:49 am
AWESOME!!
I just finished the book. It was great. A lot of time and effort went into the production of the Singularity podio book and it is much appreciated. Bill’s attention to detail in brining the characters to life was terrific.
Thank you.
July 27th, 2007 at 1:01 pm
This is one awesome story. The way the scientific events and items were explained, made the who story. It wasnt like listening to a lecture far above most peoples knowledge. Excellent writing Bill. Waiting for more from you.
August 15th, 2007 at 6:14 pm
I was heartbroken when Mariana and Knox were getting carried away from the estate in North Carolina- the view of Mycroft. What a character. I think he deserves center stage sooner or later, don’t you?
The science was actually fun- even if it WAS physics.
I just adored hearing about Tunguska from Adler- great reading of him!
Lots more praise, but you get the point. I recommend this podiobook all the time!
Jenn
October 30th, 2007 at 6:20 am
Jenn (et al.),
Thanks for the kind words about Singularity’s physics. You might be interested to learn that Dr. Jack will be hosting his own “Soapbox Seminars” podcast, starting this coming January. The science behind Singularity has never gone down easier!
And as for Mycroft, since I just got done writing that part, I’m pleased to announce he’ll be back, quirky as ever, in Dualism!
Best,
Bill
November 21st, 2007 at 9:40 am
Bill
Congrats on a truly mind expanding story. Had me gripped from word go! Particularly the final installments, which hinted at a quite terrifying concept showing how dangerous and catastrophic the whole tinkering with the space time continuum could be!
The pacing, characters, dialogue and science were first rate. I only wish my own ideas can be as well rounded and considered as yours. I shall recommend your book heartily to my friends.
Best
Chris
p.s Can’t wait for Dualism
November 29th, 2007 at 8:29 am
Hey, Chris
Thanks for the accolade — I’m pleased as punch you enjoyed my book. And, yes, by all means, tell your friends!
As to Dualism, I’m shooting to have it in the can and out to my agent by mid-April next year. And, in the same timeframe, I’ll be starting a new non-fiction podcast — Doctor Jack’s Soapbox Seminars: Everything You Wanted to Know About the Science Behind Singularity — in honor of the upcoming Tunguska Centennial. Watch (or rather listen) for it!
Best,
Bill
December 13th, 2007 at 8:02 pm
I’ve listened to four podiobooks so far. This is the first one I don’t mind paying full price for. Good story, Well written. Well read. Thanks for the occasional horripilation. The edge of my seat is glad the book is over.
January 30th, 2008 at 8:26 pm
This is one of best Scifi books I have read. I Hope we get more such books from Bill.
January 31st, 2008 at 9:38 pm
Absolutely wonderful! Great story, thought provoking, well written, and researched well enough to suspend disbelief even though the plot is way out there. Excellent narration as well! Of the 7 or so sci-fi podiobooks I’ve heard thus far, this one is best by a long shot.
Great job!
February 29th, 2008 at 8:48 pm
I have to agree with what Boden states: Well written, read, researched, and narrated. Thoroughly enjoyed, and completely annoyed that I didn’t save it for the tedious flights I took on my vacation.
Keep up the good work.
March 10th, 2008 at 6:55 pm
Well written and researched. Would have been just as good without the gratuitous sex.
April 2nd, 2008 at 9:09 pm
This was such an intelligent and interesting adventure! OK, maybe I had to willingly suspend my disbelief…but it was clever and fun. The science was fascinating, the dialogue was terrific, the characters had lots of personality and yet were convincing. Loved the accents! Always knew who was speaking. Well done, give us another soon!
April 6th, 2008 at 9:02 am
Thanks for the accolade, Jennifer. You’ll be happy to know that there is another on the way: I hope to have Dualism, the sequel to Singularity, in the can by the end of this month. Podcast-release schedule will depend on negotiations with the publisher, but meanwhile I’m working on my Farsi accent!
April 23rd, 2008 at 6:36 pm
Bill,
Great book; wonderfully and beautifully written. Definitely one of the top ten scifi books I’ve heard or read in 51 years. Prompted me to make my first ever contribution to a podcast author.
Thank you. I look forward to your next book with much anticipation.
April 30th, 2008 at 8:00 am
Thanks for the great book! I picked up a print copy - I liked it that much. Can’t wait for the sequel.
Loved the Russian involvement - I was a Russian linguist back in Cold War days, and I loved hearing the Russian you threw into the story and hope some of those characters will find their way into Dualism! The Russians even spoke English the way Russians do - bravo!
Do Svidaniya!
May 6th, 2008 at 12:20 pm
Will & Clancey –
Thanks for the very kind words (and the contributions/book sales!).
Clancey, I too was a Russian linguist out of DLI back in the sixties, and a U Moscow exchange student ten years after that. That’s where the accents come from.
Best,
Bill
May 15th, 2008 at 3:24 am
This was an unexpectedly good book. I have previously listened to Brin’s Earth on audiobook, and was at first afraid that Singularity would be too similar to enjoy. While based on a similar premise Singularity was a completely different book. If anything it increased my enjoyment to see how two different authors could handle some of the same material in such different ways.
— minor spoilers below —
I am a computer scientist specializing in computer security. I was gratified that Mr. DeSmedt’s portrayal of computer security and hacking had remarkably few errors. The lack of encryption on the video surveillance devices was a bit surprising, and the persistence of the Trojan horse after re-imaging of the computer system stretched suspension of disbelief. Also I seem to recall that the trojan acted as a “telnet” server, which would not behave as described. Still, the science behind this book is better than one might expect in a Hollywood movie, and better than most genre fiction.
May 16th, 2008 at 7:55 am
Tom, I’m not THAT Mycroft (although Finley Lawrence is a thinly disguised version of my real name), but I am the computer scientist/consultant who provided some of the technical input and review for Singularity (also the consultant for the flying scenes). For reference, Mr. DeSmedt is also a computer scientist specializing in AI and speech recognition. We have worked together in the past on telecom security.
All of your points are well taken. First, let me say I’m happy that you accepted my Trojan that intercepted Jon’s email. As an aside, when Bill asked me how difficult it would be to forge an email message the reply he got was from Jon.Knox@archon.com. I realize that this would not pass close inspection of headers, but it would have fooled the average user.
On the lack of encryption for the cameras on Rusulka that is an oversight that the head of security should have been shot for (remember, this is the KGB we’re talking about). But it probably never occurred to him that anyone on board would have incentive to intercept the signals from the devices. In the same scenes, to have a simple switch to reveal the secret entrance was a serous blunder; it should have had at least a keypad code, and probably some sort of biometric scanner.
As far as the persistence of the Trojan after re-imaging I’ll admit that it would be impossible for me, but not necessarily for my namesake. However, there are a couple of ways I can think of to do it (at least theoretically). One would be to infect a document or documents on a shared drive that would reinstall the Trojan if the system was reimaged and an infected file then opened. Another would be to infect the Master Boot Record (MBR); if the reimaging was not done carefully track zero might not be reinitialized. Consider that the reimaging would have been done by the same IT group that had guaranteed that the system was secure the first time. Yet another approach would have been to reflash the BIOS. So it would have been difficult, but not impossible.
You are correct that a telnet server would not have behaved as described, but I think this was more to keep the tedious technical details from interrupting the plot. Dr Lawrence, would, of course, have initially Telnetted in, then installed additional functionality over the Telnet connection such as a remote access bot.
The science is quite impressive; it even got a thumbs up from Kip Thorne. Based on currently available information on the Tunguska Event the Vurdalak Hypothesis is still in the realm of possibility, and there are no other explanations that have been verified.
May 23rd, 2008 at 12:18 pm
Wow!
Thanks for the great answer. (I did know the author’s background, I read his CV before reading the book). I withdraw my objections (except for the one about the telnet server
Now that I think about it more, there is another way in addition to those you mentioned: a vulnerability has recently been demonstrated in which NICs have been reflashed with malicious code. If the device driver contains any bugs (and what code doesn’t?) this would allow a machine to be reinfected after a reimiging.
September 28th, 2008 at 5:35 am
Great book! This was on a topic I knew nothing about; so it was a learning experience as well as enjoying reading. The plot was gripping from the first moment. The dialog was realistic and entertaining. The podiobook was recorded very well. I looked for an ebook version, but didn’t find one. Maybe one will come out eventually.
I’ll be looking for your next book and anything else you write. Thanks!
October 16th, 2008 at 6:32 pm
This story has an interesting premise and plotline, but the dialogue just didn’t work for me. I guess it seemed sort of fake or cliched something, but for some reason it annoyed me.
January 2nd, 2009 at 10:19 am
Hi, Anita –
Thanks for the kind words about Singularity. Especially the part about reading it being a learning experience — that was always one of my hopes for the book.
As to an e-book version, that’s still in negotiation with my publisher, but I’d like to see it happen. Meanwhile, the next book — Dualism — is nearing completion, and meanwhile there’s a non-fiction podcast that discusses the science behind Singularity in more detail, as told by everybody’s favorite cosmologist, Dr. John C. Adler (it’s at http://podiobooks.com/title/doctor-jacks-soapbox-seminars).
Bill