Discussion Board

Topic: Anvil of the Stars 'NOACH'

From: Chad Sandberg
Location: Houston, TX
Date: 10/21/2008

First of all, your work is amazing. In 'Anvil of the Stars' there are multiple references to 'sending a "noach" message' and I was curious about your intent. It sounds like a directed communication form (LASER or MASER)?

Thank you,
Chad Sandberg

Re: Anvil of the Stars 'NOACH'

From: Greg Bear
Date: 10/24/2008

Thanks, Chad! Noach is short for No-Channel communication, using my crackpot theory of physics which postulates that all particles are described by internal bits--particle bit structure--connected through the "Bell continuum." This was also the basis for the physics in MOVING MARS.

Re: Anvil of the Stars 'NOACH'

From: patrick
Location:
Date: 10/24/2008

I don't know. It could perhaps be at least remotely related to entanglement. I read these before I knew of entanglement, but the spirit of it jived with me in the same fashion.

Re: Anvil of the Stars 'NOACH'

From: Roald Laurenson
Location: Imperial Beach
Date: 10/26/2008

Well, 'crackpot'. Your theories are of good intrigue, Greg. They provide much enjoyment, in the stories they decorate and allow. They make us think. What could be a better way to understand that there is _something_ appropriately mysterious at the heart of what we call quantum reality?

I know you borrowed aspects of the Noach from speculations physicists had made, and painted it to be real enough. Your imaginations provide a unity, and who is to say yet whether they are closer than others to any truth we might come to understand?

We desire power in the world, as deepest myth. I think often enough of your speculations on the results of it. All these creatures and persons you've invented, and then my favorite who escaped this question in a way, Mirsky.

A broad canvas; imagination worth a lot to have a chance to share.

Best, Greg, in this and other musings.

Re: Anvil of the Stars 'NOACH'

From: Greg Bear
Date: 10/27/2008

The curious should study Bell's Theorem (Wikipedia has a nice entry) and the Bell Inequality. EPR-quantum entanglement was the nudge that made me posit a Bell Continuum, hidden channels of particle communication, and eventually--the noach.

Re: Anvil of the Stars 'NOACH'

From: Roald Laurenson
Location: Imperial Beach
Date: 10/27/2008

Yes, it's very interesting how you arranged this, apparently turning around the 'no _local_ hidden variables' to postulate some in the wide surround.

I still think how well woven, into that so appreciatedly woven full and broad story, 'Moving Mars'.

You can do great things, Greg. I really like it. And get a lot out of appreciatively reading.

C.


Re: Anvil of the Stars 'NOACH'

From: Allan Kellner
Location: Seattle, WA.
Date: 11/17/2008

Greg, I've been meaning to post a message for a long time. this seems like a good place to do it. MOVING MARS and EON/ETERNITY are some of my most cherished books of "hard sci-fi". I am also a huge fan of THE FORGE OF GOD and ANVIL OF STARS. I have always been fascinated in a perfunctory way with mathematics, and MOVING MARS almost made me want to go back to class. Unfortunately, Physics nearly caused me a nervous beakdown in college so I stick to Stephen Hawking and count my blessings.

You are one of the most original and innovative writers living today. I heartily thank you for the many many hours of wonder and pleasure you've given me.

Sincerely,
Allan Kellner
Seattle, WA.

Re: Anvil of the Stars 'NOACH'

From: Greg Bear
Date: 11/18/2008

Thanks, Allan! I long ago flunked calculus, myself... So have to content myself with advanced theory. (sigh)

Re: Anvil of the Stars 'NOACH'

From: Rainbow Starchild
Location: London, England
Date: 08/03/2009

I love the idea of NOACH, I find myself thinking about it probably at least once a week although I read "Anvil" at least 2 years ago. My physics is at what you might call first-year college level, but I am convinced that there is some form of communication in the cosmos which is instantaneous and I think this may be the way to go to explain gravity among other effects. I have been searching for more information, so I'll happily go read the Bell continuum stuff on Wikipedia and elsewhere. Thanks Greg, and keep up the great work.
p.s. do you like the work of Stephen Baxter, particularly "Time" if you have had a chance to read it ?

Re: Anvil of the Stars 'NOACH'

From: Greg Bear
Date: 08/03/2009

Thanks, RS! Stephen Baxter is definitely one of the great UK visionary sf writers.

Re: Anvil of the Stars 'NOACH'

From: Bill Auclair
Location: Sunnyvale, CA
Date: 09/06/2012

It looks like the real world has already taken its first steps in this direction:

http://news.yahoo.com/quantum-teleportation-beams-information-farther-ever-132433155.html

Life imitates art :-)

BTW Greg, love all of your books!

Re: Anvil of the Stars 'NOACH'

From: Greg Bear
Date: 10/31/2012

I'm of two minds about this. Literally, as I just teleported and forgot to erase the original...

Thanks, Bill!

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