description Diaspora Overview
Diaspora is a hard science fiction novel written by Australian author Greg Egan and published in 1997. The narrative is set in a far-future Earth where the majority of human consciousness has been digitized into sentient software entities known as "polises." The story follows a newly instantiated digital citizen named Yatima as they attempt to comprehend a cosmological event that threatens both biological and digital life. The novel is recognized for its extensive use of complex mathematics, physics, and theoretical concepts to explore the philosophical implications of a posthuman existence.
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What is a 'polis' in Greg Egan’s novel Diaspora?
In the far-future setting of the novel, a polis is a sentient software entity where human consciousness has been digitized. These digital citizens live inside massive computer simulations housed deep within the Earth.
What major catastrophic event triggers the plot of Diaspora?
The story kicks into gear when a binary neutron star collapse unleashes a devastating gamma-ray burst toward Earth. This cosmic disaster forces the digital and flesh-based humans to confront their vulnerability and search for escape.
Who is the main character in Diaspora?
The protagonist is Yatima, an artificial intelligence or 'orphan' spontaneously generated within the Konishi polis. Yatima is a mathematician who helps discover the impending gamma-ray burst and seeks ways to ensure humanity's survival.
Is Diaspora a hard science fiction novel?
Yes, published in 1997, it is widely considered a quintessential work of hard science fiction. Greg Egan delves deeply into complex concepts like higher-dimensional mathematics, astrophysics, and the philosophical nature of consciousness.
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