The Nexus Arc Trilogy consists of three books, Nexus, Crux, and Apex by Ramez Naam. The books are set in the US, Thailand, & India around 2040. People are able to drink a concoction made with "nanobots" which can rearrange the pathways of human minds such that we are able to communicate sort of telepathically. Humans can then interact mentally on sort of an internet and actually program their minds with subroutines to help do tasks, or maintain mental happiness.
At the end of each book author Ramez Naam devotes considerable number of pages to explain how the technology is feasible and how current research and development has recently had breakthroughs that could actually facilitate the concept described in the book coming true. It may not happen in 2040, but the technology may be possible some time -- a matter of when, and not "if"..
The main storyline of the books are attempts by the Governments of many countries in the world to stop this "Nexus" drug from being taken by citizens, and the battle by the Nexis proponents (post humans) to gain freedom to use Nexus. Sort of similar to US alcohol prohibition, or the current "war on drugs." -- but Nexus was presented as an enhancement to people that will aid in understanding and improve education, etc.
I thought the storyline was somewhat reasonable and believable in the first two books, but in the third book, Apex, the focus was on a computer that had taken on the mind of super-human woman and then "went mad" -- I thought it was a little "over the top" and was not that interesting. Other than that, I really enjoyed the series!
I do agree with Ramez Naam, that much of what he describes might be possible. However I somehow think humans might need some sort of implant to be able to perform the tasks he describes. Maybe the brain could interact with a device worn on the head or strapped to our arm?
At the end of each book author Ramez Naam devotes considerable number of pages to explain how the technology is feasible and how current research and development has recently had breakthroughs that could actually facilitate the concept described in the book coming true. It may not happen in 2040, but the technology may be possible some time -- a matter of when, and not "if"..
The main storyline of the books are attempts by the Governments of many countries in the world to stop this "Nexus" drug from being taken by citizens, and the battle by the Nexis proponents (post humans) to gain freedom to use Nexus. Sort of similar to US alcohol prohibition, or the current "war on drugs." -- but Nexus was presented as an enhancement to people that will aid in understanding and improve education, etc.
I thought the storyline was somewhat reasonable and believable in the first two books, but in the third book, Apex, the focus was on a computer that had taken on the mind of super-human woman and then "went mad" -- I thought it was a little "over the top" and was not that interesting. Other than that, I really enjoyed the series!
I do agree with Ramez Naam, that much of what he describes might be possible. However I somehow think humans might need some sort of implant to be able to perform the tasks he describes. Maybe the brain could interact with a device worn on the head or strapped to our arm?
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