neal stephenson category archive

Awaiting Anathem

Coming soon to a bookstore near you: Neal Stephenson’s next book! I’ve been waiting with pleasant anticipation since hearing about it earlier in the year and preordered it from Amazon this month.

It’s not necessary to know anything about it. I’ll be at the front of the line for anything new from Neal, no questions asked. However, I was happy to see that Steven Levy wrote a piece about Stephenson and the book for Wired 16.09:

“Novelist Neal Stephenson Once Again Proves He’s the King of the Worlds”

Excellent article, although I was disappointed to learn he works for patent troll Nathan Myhrvold at Intellectual Ventures. I’m sure he’s working with interesting people on fascinating projects, but still. These guys are …

Free Tanks for Everyone! Good Gas Mileage.

Originally published in Free Software Magazine, 6 November 2006.

I’m guessing many FSM readers will recognize the title reference, if like me you’re a fan of Neal Stephenson’s work. If you’re not a fan, then… er… how could you not be?! I’m kidding. I realize tastes differ, but to me, Stephenson is essential geek reading.

His essay, In the Beginning was the Command Line, has been around for several years now. It’s showing some age in areas, but it reads as well today as it did back in 1999. It’s filled with interesting ideas and thoughts about technology and culture, including free software. For example, you don’t have to read very far …