The Speed of Dark
by Elizabeth Moon · first published 2002
29% recommend71% neutral
In the near future, disease will be a condition of the past. Most genetic defects will be removed at birth; the remaining during infancy. Unfortunately, there will be a generation left behind. For members of that missed generation, small advances will be made. Through various programs, they will be taught to get along in the world despite their differences. They will be made active and contributing members of society. But they will never be normal.Lou Arrendale is a member of that lost generation, born at the wrong time to reap the awards of medical science. Part of a small group of high-funct
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…care, or loved before - but it absolutely sounds like he had trouble: "understanding and entering into another's feelings" (from WordNet, my emphasis). It's a fascinating story, like a real-life "The Speed of Dark", by Elizabeth Moon (in part inspired by her son): http://www.amazon.com/Speed-Dark-Ballantine-Readers-Circle/d...
on “What It’s Like to ‘Wake Up’ from Autism After Magnetic Stimulation” ↗…anything of Vernor Vinge, I have a look at "A Fire Upon the Deep". Hm, I guess there are a few too many Nebula Award winners in there for the recommendations to be really useful... here's one more: "Speed of Dark" by Elizabeth Moon. Perhaps a bit haphazard, but maybe you'll find something you like there :-)
on “My Summer Reading List” ↗The book: "The Speed of Dark" by Elizabeth Moon has a similar theme to your question (but deals with autism, not downs syndrome).
on “Down syndrome reversed in newborn mice with single injection” ↗…HACKER CRACKDOWN Law and Disorder on the Electronic Frontier", Bruce Sterling http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/101 [ed: I think maybe "Rainbows End" by Vernor Vinge deserves a mention too. And maybe "speed of Dark" by Elizabeth Moon]
on “Ask HN: Recommendations of good cybercrime novels?” ↗an interesting book related to this discussion is "Speed of Dark" by Elisabeth Moon. It tells the story of an autistic person and their struggles while faced with the possibility of a "cure"
on “U.S. autism data project sparks uproar over ethics, privacy and intent” ↗…don't need curing but do need an explanation for their differences as autistic, or we accept that at least some high functioning autistic people are not disabled or ill. i mentioned before the book "Speed of Dark" by Elisabeth Moon which explores this topic.
on “What's the deal with autism rates?” ↗…example (in no particular order - just some great books imnho): Earthsea quartet by LeGuin Dune by Herbert South of the Border by Murakami Islands in the Net by Sterling Foundation trilogy by Asimov Speed of Dark, by Moon Accelerando, by Stross Murderbot diaries, by Wells A Fire Upon the Deep, by Vinge (and Rainbow's End by same) 2312, by Robinson And many more, I'm sure :)
on “Why read Dostoevsky? A programmer's perspective” ↗I recently read Elizabeth Moon's Nebula Award winning Speed of Dark. It's about a cure for autism being forced upon employees by a corporation. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FC1B2Y/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp...
on “Why business needs people with Asperger’s syndrome, ADD and dyslexia” ↗This experiment is similar to what happens in the novel The Speed of Dark by Elizabeth Moon. http://www.amazon.com/The-Speed-Dark-Elizabeth-Moon/dp/15012...
on “An Experimental Autism Treatment Cost Me My Marriage” ↗This is the topic of the book "Speed of Dark" by Elizabeth Moon - the self identity of someone who has high-functioning autistism as an adult and the possibility of having it cured. This also touches on the community that forms for people with…
on “Autism's social deficits in animal model are reversed by an anti-cancer drug” ↗Echoing another comment that you might be on the spectrum - and I hope the therapist you mentioned can help you relate to that. The above comment could almost be a quote from "The Speed of Dark" - a (science) fiction novel by Elizabeth Moon about autism (she has a child on the spectrum).
on “Ask HN: How can a unhireable person get a job?” ↗Back when I was in high school I read a book ("the speed of dark" by Elizabeth Moon) which is written from the perspective of an autistic person who works for a pharmaceutical company (I won't add spoilers). It was full of nuggets of wisdom that made me appreciate…
on “Living with Williams Syndrome, the 'opposite of autism' (2014)” ↗…Ursula K Le Guin: Left Hand of Darkness Dennis E Taylor: We are Legion Emily St John Mandel: Sea of Tranquility William Gibson: The Peripheral Dan Simmons: Hyperion Elisabet Moon: The Speed of Dark Alastair Reynolds: Eversion Adrian Tchaikovsky: Children Of Time Andromeda Romano-Lax: Plumb Rains everyone of these was selected by popular vote, which means each is endorsed by half a dozen…
on “Ask HN: What are your favorite sci-fi books?” ↗Someone obviously didn't read: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speed_of_Dark
on “Microsoft seeks to recruit autistic workers” ↗