# Sundiver by David Brin

* Plot Summary:For nearly a billion years, every known sentient species in the universe has been the result of genetic and cultural guidance–or "uplifting"–by a previously uplifted patron race. Then humans are discovered. Having already uplifted chimps and dolphins, humanity clearly qualifies as an intelligent species, but did they actually evolve their own intelligence, or did some mysterious patron race begin the process, then suddenly abandon Earth? The answer to this mystery might be as close as our own sun, but it will take a daring dive into its fiery interior to know for sure.
* Perhaps not quite as epic in scope as some of the other entries o...

# Sundiver by David Brin

* Plot Summary:For nearly a billion years, every known sentient species in the universe has been the result of genetic and cultural guidance–or "uplifting"–by a previously uplifted patron race. Then humans are discovered. Having already uplifted chimps and dolphins, humanity clearly qualifies as an intelligent species, but did they actually evolve their own intelligence, or did some mysterious patron race begin the process, then suddenly abandon Earth? The answer to this mystery might be as close as our own sun, but it will take a daring dive into its fiery interior to know for sure.
* Perhaps not quite as epic in scope as some of the other entries on the list but the ideas are certainly big. Besides… chimpanzees and dolphins. You know you want to see that on screen.

The story takes place in an interplanetary Utopian society of the far future. Humans have achieved immortality by way of biological nanomachines and memory recordings. Every person perceives life's events through a multi-tiered Matrix-like reality that they can individually control. Everyone has vast amounts of processing power at their disposal including a sense-filter that can be used to render undesirable people/events invisible (goodbye advertising!). People (really, their virtual "neuroforms") may do anything as long as it does not harm others. In this decadent Utopia, men are watched by, an...

The story takes place in an interplanetary Utopian society of the far future. Humans have achieved immortality by way of biological nanomachines and memory recordings. Every person perceives life's events through a multi-tiered Matrix-like reality that they can individually control. Everyone has vast amounts of processing power at their disposal including a sense-filter that can be used to render undesirable people/events invisible (goodbye advertising!). People (really, their virtual "neuroforms") may do anything as long as it does not harm others. In this decadent Utopia, men are watched by, and strongly depend upon, intelligent machines ("sophotecs"). Man has achieved the pinnacle of existence - they have reached The Golden Age. It is the will of the elite Peers that the status quo be maintained; that heroism, risk, adventure and speculation be stifled in order to preserve their comfortable Utopia.

Phaethon is a member of this Utopian society. As the story opens, rebellious Phaethon is chided by most citizens for an inexcusable atrocity he imposed on mankind. The problem is Phaethon alone does not know the nature of that deed. He soon discovers that he is missing memories from the last 250 years of his 3,000 year life. Even Helios, his gene template (a.k.a. father), and his wife, Daphne, are little help in regaining his memories. Phaethon's search for his true identity takes the reader through scores of intriguing and well-imagined ideas.

Welcome to the next stage in the evolution of science fiction. A scenario set thousands of years in the future where civilization spans the stars. Godlike ascended intelligences rule vast interstellar empires, and lesser factions seek to carve out their dominions through intrigue and conquest. And out beyond the edge of civilized space and the human friendly worlds, adventure awaits those prepared to risk all.

Come join us in this ever-expanding collective worldbuilding effort. Within the vast universe that is Orion's Arm you will find:

* Hard ...

Welcome to the next stage in the evolution of science fiction. A scenario set thousands of years in the future where civilization spans the stars. Godlike ascended intelligences rule vast interstellar empires, and lesser factions seek to carve out their dominions through intrigue and conquest. And out beyond the edge of civilized space and the human friendly worlds, adventure awaits those prepared to risk all.

Come join us in this ever-expanding collective worldbuilding effort. Within the vast universe that is Orion's Arm you will find:

* Hard Science
* Plausible Technology
* Realistic Cultural Development
* A vast Setting
* 10,000+ years of historical development
* Realistic Exobiology

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE:

Our purpose is to promote and inspire writers, artists and thinkers. To create a vision of the future that is plausible at every level, internally consistent, and abides by the accepted facts and theories in the physical, biological, and social sciences. We embrace speculative ideas like Drexlerian assemblers, mind uploading, posthuman intelligence, magnetic monopoles, wormholes, warp bubbles and the technologies and developments that will make all this possible.



To quote Arthur C. Clarke's Second Law:

The only way to explore the limits of the possible is to venture a little way past them into the impossible.



Our task is to create an ever evolving unive...

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE:

Our purpose is to promote and inspire writers, artists and thinkers. To create a vision of the future that is plausible at every level, internally consistent, and abides by the accepted facts and theories in the physical, biological, and social sciences. We embrace speculative ideas like Drexlerian assemblers, mind uploading, posthuman intelligence, magnetic monopoles, wormholes, warp bubbles and the technologies and developments that will make all this possible.



To quote Arthur C. Clarke's Second Law:

The only way to explore the limits of the possible is to venture a little way past them into the impossible.



Our task is to create an ever evolving universe that is interesting, inspiring and provocative - to theorize on a future that may, or may not, come to be.