The adolescence of P-1
by Thomas J. Ryan · first published 1977
69% recommend31% neutral
Why HN recommends it
Early sci-fi novel about an AI that gains self-awareness and spreads through networks, valued by readers who first met it years ago and still find it a good read. Often cited among classic computers-in-fiction titles.
Summarised by Claude from recommending comments
Synopsis - This is the story of P-1 the most charming and frightening – literary “child” since Robert Heinlein’s Mycroft Holmes, and a tour de force in the literary exploration of artificial intelligence. “Adolescence’ is part science fiction. It is also part crime novel...the computer...uses the programs of the young man to start life on its own...P-1 wants to take over the entire American computer network. Today America, tomorrow the world. [The author] has come up with an attractive conception – the idea of the computer as a child. Hence the title. P-1 has awesome powers, but it is st
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Computers-in-SF titles that are often missed: John Brunner, The Shockwave Rider John M Ford, Web of Angels Algis Budrys, Michaelmas Thomas Ryan, The Adolescence of P-1 (mentioned by someone else here, too)
The adolescence of p-1, Thomas Ryan The soul of a new machine, by tracy kidder Rainbows End by Vernor Vinge The Diamond Age by Neal Stephenson
on “Ask HN: Recommend any good business/hacker fiction?” ↗…by Neal Stephenson Gold Bug Variations, by Richard Powers Galatea 2.2, by Richard Powers Off to Be the Wizard, by Scott Meyer Ready Player One, by Ernest Cline Neuromancer, by William Gibson The Adolescence Of P-1, by Thomas J. Ryan (from when I was just a kid)
on “Ask HN: What are some must read books for computer programmers?” ↗Fuzzing was used in Thomas J Ryan's The Adolescence of P-1, circa 1977 (in an attack against some IBM mainframe's supervisor). (TAoP1 is a much-overlooked example of . . . well, I wouldn't call it cyberpunk, but definitely counter-culture computing. In the IBM…
on “A Fire Upon the Deep by Vernor Vinge (1992)” ↗Don't forget Adolescence of P-1 by Thomas Ryan too. Matchboxes to bootstrap a full AI.
on “A Matchbox Game-Learning Machine (1991) [pdf]” ↗The adolescence of P-1 by Thomas J. Ryan https://openlibrary.org/works/OL6668634W/The_adolescence_of_...
on “Ask HN: Science Fiction books that predict where ChatGPT might lead us?” ↗…everything that makes modern civilization possible and keeps it going. The Art of Electronics - Horowitz and Hill - All the nitty gritty details you'll need if you're to be a good electronics designer The adolescence of P-1 - Thomas Joseph Ryan - Introduced me to the idea of random walks leading to AI. Computer Lib/Dream Machines - Ted Nelson -- Quite a bit of ideas about computers, I read it decades ago. Diary of an Early…
on “Ask HN: What are the best books you've ever read?” ↗Adolescence of P-1 - oldie, but goodie
on “Ask HN: What novels feature realistic computing?” ↗An oldie but a goodie - The Adolescence of P-1, Thomas Ryan
on “Ask HN: Best Fiction Hacker Books?” ↗Frederik Pohl's "Gateway"; "The Adolescence of P-1" by Thomas Joseph Ryan
…Themes https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18616975-off-to-be-the-w... ## Daniel Suarez - *Daemon* — Cyber-thriller, AI https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6665844-daemon ## Thomas J. Ryan - *The Adolescence of P-1* — AI, Classic Sci-Fi https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/218059.The_Adolescence_o... ## Ernest Cline - *Ready Player One* — Sci-Fi, Gaming, Pop-Culture Adventure https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9969571-ready-player-one…
on “Ask HN: What fiction books would you recommend for programmers?” ↗I read The Adolescence of P-1 in the late 70s, again in the early 80s and most recently a couple of months ago after re-discovering it. It's still a good read after all these years. Does anyone know anything about the author Thomas…
on “Retro AI fiction – The Adolescence of P-1 (1977)” ↗I am stoked to see "The Adolescence of P-1" on the list. (In my more paranoid moments I have suspected it was autobiographical.) I recently (finally) read "Gateway" and was surprised to discover that it's an AI story. The main character is…
on “Hard comp-fi reading list” ↗The Adolescence of P-1 is also a good novel from the same period with similar early AI themes.
on “Colossus: The Forbin Project (1970) [video]” ↗I’m also fond of “When HARLIE Was One” and “The Adolescence of P-1.”
on “It looks like you’re trying to take over the world” ↗