from Jellies

from Jellies...

A thousand years ago, humanity had split between the humans and the Others, the transhumans ...

The transhumans changed very, very quickly, the Ranger explained…. adding to themselves, expanding their intelligence, gaining additional abilities. In a single lifetime, they evolved more rapidly, and more completely, than humanity had done in the last million years. "In time, we might not even see them anymore."

"Why not?"

"Consider the insect." How does a bug see us? Probably, as a big rumbling something or other. Something warm and fleshy. No different from any other large mammal in its environment. A mosquito or a tick might recognize us as a potential source of blood. But would they recognize us as an entity? A being like themselves? Surely not.

And, so, if there were creatures as far beyond us as we are beyond ticks and mosquitoes…

"We might not realize they were here," Valter said.

And, the older man continued, "Think about the things we build or grow. How does a fly or an ant perceive our houses and buildings? Probably just as big hard objects, no different from mountains and cliff walls. Or how does a locust see a cornfield? Just as a source of plant matter. Something to be eaten like any tree or leaf."

"The idea that someone, somewhere, might object…"

"Would never occur to it,"

"Right. And what do we do when we find locusts in our fields?"

Valter felt terror clawing at his soul. "We poison them."

from the inside flap of Tower

From the inside flap of  Tower

There are wonders beyond the Singularity...

      "These nanotechnical devices... the nanotechnical devices... will enter your body and brain. It will link you to us. To the network. To artificial and natural intelligences. You will have powers beyond anything you can imagine."
     "Powers?" Now she was interested.
     "Unbelievable things. Super intelligence, and everything that comes with it. You'll be able to reshape yourself. Have multiple bodies. Be in many places at once. Travel to the stars and stay home at the same time. It's unimaginable."
                    Deal Breaker


But there are also terrors...

     Odd. There was a faint sound coming from the monitor of her computer. It was almost like a scratching. As if a cat or something were inside and wanted to be let out.
     She bent down to examine it more closely. She had shut down the computer and the screen was black. Yet, as she watched, it grew white...a pearly, confused white, like the static of a TV between channels. What?
     Then ...there was something taking shape in the static! She leaned closer and closer, until her nose was almost pressed to the glass. What could it be?
     Tentacles. Fangs. Claws...
                     The Hate Buyer

Once more, Victor Storiguard gives us a glance at the Transhuman future...in both its promise, and its perils.