Books › The planiverse
The planiverse
computer contact with a two-dimensional world
First published 1984 · 287 pages
A mind-bending thought experiment that stretches the boundaries of spatial reasoning and philosophical inquiry.
What it feels like
Reading this book feels like stepping into a meticulously crafted thought experiment, one that gently but persistently rewires your spatial reasoning. The pace is steady and deliberate, unfolding less like a traditional narrative and more like a fascinating scientific travelogue. Its tone is earnest and academic, inviting you to sit with complex physics and biology translated into elegant, accessible puzzles. The mood is deeply intellectual and contemplative, wrapping the reader in a quiet atmosphere of discovery. It delights those who love to tinker with the mechanics of reality, offering a profound sense of awe as it bridges the gap between hard science and philosophical mysticism. It is a quiet, paradigm-shifting experience for the endlessly curious.
- Mood
- intellectual
- mind-expanding
- contemplative
- Tone
- curious
- academic
- earnest
- philosophical
- Pace
- steady
- Themes
- limits of perception · scientific curiosity · spatial reasoning · the nature of reality
- The writing
- The writing mimics a meticulous scientific log or travelogue, prioritizing conceptual clarity and logical rigor over emotional flourish.
- The arc
- The journey shifts from playful intellectual curiosity to a profound, paradigm-shifting awe regarding the structure of the universe.
- Who it's for
- Readers who delight in rigorous thought experiments, mathematical puzzles, and hard science fiction that challenges their spatial imagination.
About the book
A mind-bending, paradigm shifting visit with Yedred, a denizen of the 2 dimensional Universe. It is written so that the physics comes through very easily for those without science training. A university student discovers that this being Yendred is communicating with him through his computer. There begins a lively dialog as both the 2D Yendred and the 3D author struggle to explain and understand each others worlds. This book opens your mind with delight and challenge.
Description from Open Library.
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