Manifold
Time
by Stephen Baxter · first published 1999
67% recommend33% neutral
Why HN recommends it
Hard sci-fi trilogy that takes on the Fermi paradox, doomsday arguments and civilizations expanding through space. Suits readers who like big-idea, psychedelic speculation, with Time and Space most often cited.
Summarised by Claude from recommending comments
Part of the Manifold series.
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Mentions per year
What Hacker News says
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The implications of this concept have been discussed in Stephen Baxter's Manifold novels[0], particularly Manifold: Time[1]. Well worth a read if you're interested in things like this principle and the dark sky paradox. I'm also convinced they heavily influenced the writing of the…
on “Implications of the Copernican principle for our future prospects (1993) [pdf]” ↗There's an interesting scifi book called Manifold:Time by Stephen Baxter, that features an organization called Eschatology, Inc. It presents a very unique perspective on (hastening) Doomsday. Side note: I was convinced at first that the author patterned…
on “Centre for Applied Eschatology” ↗If there are any science fiction readers here, one of these factors into the plot of Manifold: Space by Stephen Baxter (not really a spoiler). It's one of a trilogy about the Fermi Paradox, written in the Asimov tradition. I can't recommend them highly enough. https://www.amazon.com/Manifold-Space-Stephen-Baxter/dp/0345...
on “Oklo has a plan to make tiny nuclear reactors that run off nuclear waste” ↗Manifold: Space by Stephen Baxter covers this conjecture, for anyone interested in a fictional treatment.
on “On the role of GRBs on life extinction in the Universe” ↗The ideas discussed in his post, especially the idea of rapidly expanding spheres of civilizations consuming all resources in their path, were beautifully explored in Stephen Baxter's sci-fi book, Manifold: Space (a spin-off of his earlier book, Manifold: Time, which is also excellent). In his book, alien intelligences are common; once they become sufficiently advanced, their civilizations tend to rapidly…
on “Why it’s usually crazier than you expect” ↗I'll counter with: 1) Dune - Frank Herbert 2) Mote in God's Eye - Niven & Pournelle 3) The Lord of Light - Roger Zelanzy 4) Xeelee Series - Stephen Baxter (Or the Manifold: books) 5) The Well World Saga - Jack L. Chalker (Stick with the first 5 books)
on “My Favorite Science Fiction (and Non-Fiction) Books” ↗Stephen Baxter's Manifold novels deal with this problem quite extensively. I would recommend them from anyone interested in the implications of the Fermi paradox expressed in science/speculative fiction.
on “The Fermi Paradox” ↗I'm currently working my way through Stephen Baxter's Manifold trilogy. His writing is incredibly insightful and psychedelic. I'd also suggest the Time Ships (only authorized Time Machine sequel) and anything from the Xeelee universe. Maybe start with Vacuum Diagrams?…
on “What are your favourite sci-fi books?” ↗I just finished the Manifold series by Stephen Baxter. The series is a look at the (solution to, reason for, questions surrounding the) Fermi Paradox through three potential lenses. Best and most raw sci-fi I've ever read. The books…
on “Ask HN: Which book are you reading these days?” ↗I'd have to recommend the Manifold trilogy by Stephen Baxter. I know it's not a book, but as a whole entity, it deserves to be looked at.
on “Ask HN: What is the most mind blowing book you've ever read?” ↗The Xeelee Sequence books (Vacuum Diagrams, Raft, Timelike Infinity etc) or The Manifold Series, all by Stephen Baxter
on “Alien life could be so advanced it becomes indistinguishable from physics” ↗The Manifold Series by Stephen Baxter are some of the hardest SciFi books I've ever read.
on “Ask HN: Best hard scifi AI novels?” ↗The ideas discussed in his post, especially the idea of rapidly expanding spheres of civilizations consuming all resources in their path, were beautifully explored in Stephen Baxter's sci-fi book, Manifold: Space (a spin-off of his earlier book, Manifold: Time, which is also excellent). In his book, alien intelligences are common; once they become sufficiently advanced, their civilizations tend to rapidly…
on “Once we can see them, it’s too late” ↗Stephen Baxter also did this in his Manifold series. I think it was Time, but it could be Space. Both books are good, but Children of Ruin is definitely better written and more entertaining.
on “Squid and octopus genome studies reveal how cephalopods’ unique traits evolved” ↗Stephen Baxter's Phase Space. If those short stories, especially the ones with Reid Malenfant, grab you, then read the Manifold series. If you find yourself wishing it was more Alastair Reynolds, then the Xeelee Sequence.
on “Autonomous Restructuring of Asteroids into Rotating Space Stations” ↗