The Lifecycle of Software Objects

by

150 pages

English language

Published July 31, 2010

ISBN:
978-1-59606-317-4
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Goodreads:
7886338

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3 stars (1 review)

"The Lifecycle of Software Objects" is a novella by American writer Ted Chiang, originally published in 2010 by Subterranean Press. It focuses on the creation of digital entities and their growth as they are raised by human trainers over the course of many years. The novella received critical praise, winning the 2011 Locus Award for Best Novella and the 2011 Hugo Award for Best Novella.

1 edition

reviewed The Lifecycle of Software Objects by Ted Chiang

Review of 'The Lifecycle of Software Objects' on 'Goodreads'

3 stars

The two main characters are hired by Blue Gamma (I was reminded of Blue Ant) to help create "digients" - digital entities built on an animal (and then robot) frame. Instead of having programmed behaviors, these learn, and a good portion of the novella explores the impact of that learning.

I was reminded of early AI programming, learning game strategy. It doesn't take much suspension of disbelief to see them developing personalities. Other neat factors include illustrations and Ted Chiang's general descriptions of the future "web".

The book ended quite abruptly, with the future of most characters left unresolved, and this brings the rating down a tad.