Pun Salad

Don perfectly encapsulates the feeling I get whenever I read the works of Neal Stephenson. This recent book brings together some of his shorter stuff: essays, articles, some fiction, interviews, and a book forward. As a plus, I read the Kindle version, itself a bonus miracle blessing. (Also: significantly cheaper than the hardcover.)

Over a third of the book is Stephenson's 1996 Wired article "Mother Earth Mother Board", where he, as a self-described "hacker tourist" travels the world (Malaysia, Thailand, Great Britain, Hong Kong, Japan, Egypt, …), examining transoceanic cables. It's a wondrous blend of science, technology, history, economics, nitty-gritty construction, all tied together by Stephenson's sharp observations and keen wit. How did he not win a Pulitzer for this?

Generally speaking: maybe there needs to be a special Pulitzer category: "Excellence in Doing That Kind of Thing Neal Stephenson Does". And Stephenson would win it every year in which at least one of his things was published.

Also notable is Stephenson's introduction to Everything and More, David Foster Wallace's discussion of the mathematical concept of infinity, aimed at general readers. Stephenson reflects on his and Wallace's common upbringing as faculty kids a Midwestern American College Town (which he conveniently abbreviates: MACT). As an ex-Midwesterner (but not a college-affiliated one), and a fan of Wallace, it was insightful and moving.

But it's all good. I encourage you to check it out.