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

The title made me think this was going to be about TAOCP or Godel Escher Bach.



What does either of those have to do with Lem's futurism? (I haven't read GEB, so maybe it does have something to do with it.)


The main title of the article is The Book No One Read and this is what the OP meant, I suppose.


A side note: Lem knew and liked GEB, and there are many similarities between e.g. dialogues in GEB and Lem's The Cyberiad.


I originally read this as suggesting that The Cyberiad was inspired by GEB; but, of course, chronologically, it could only be the other way.

Not that I doubt you, but do you know any reference for Lem's fondness for GEB?


In "Thus Spoke Lem" - a several hundred pages interview with Lem - there is a chapter about Lem's likes and dislikes in literature. He is asked about books which influenced his thought and he mentions several of them, read when he was young. When asked about later influences he talks about GEB and Mind's I only. He says that again and again he sees in those books concepts similar to his own, but he is sure that Hofstadter reached them independently. I do not think that an English translation of Thus Spoke Lem exists.

Another connection between Hofstadter and Lem: in Le Ton Beau de Marot there is a chapter where Hofstadter discusses possible ways of translating How the World Was Saved from Cyberiad.


I'd never heard of that interview; now I'll have to see if I can find a copy. Thanks!




Consider applying for YC's Spring batch! Applications are open till Feb 11.

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

Search: