Hacker News new | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submit login

The application of augmented reality using contact lenses and other types of head up displays was explored in the wonderful science fiction novel "Rainbows End", which was written by none other than "Vernor Vinge".



I remember one of the characters from the story, Robert Gu's friend, clutching a laptop -- a hopeless relic in that era -- saying, "I want to see what is really there, not what they want me to see."

I get the impression that would be me in that future, worried about what was real or not, or how many false memories I'd be recalling because of something that was shown to me. I'm probably just being paranoid, but so was this character and if I recall correctly, it worked out for him in the end.


Never managed to finish that book. It also appears extensively in Peter F Hamilton's Commenwealth Saga.

Thoroughly recommend getting hold of the third episode of the British SciFi show Black Mirror.


I'll jump in with my favorite sci-fi book, "Daemon" and "Freedom(TM)" by Daniel Suarez.

It features something roughly like Google Glass, plus Reddit Karma acting like BitCoins and like XP in World of Warcraft.


"Rainbows End" was indeed wonderful. Another great exploration of AR in speculative fiction (and my personal favorite) is Charles Stross' "Halting State".


Among probably a couple dozen other sci-fi books. But Rainbows End was a good one nonetheless.




Join us for AI Startup School this June 16-17 in San Francisco!

Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: