Vernor VingeVernor Vinge

Math Professor, Computer Math Professor, Computer Scientist and Science Fiction Scientist and Science Fiction

AuthorAuthor

BeginningsBeginnings

Born October 2Born October 2ndnd, 1944, 1944

His first published science fiction work was His first published science fiction work was Bookworm, Run! And was published in the Bookworm, Run! And was published in the March 1966 Issue of Analog Science FictionMarch 1966 Issue of Analog Science Fiction

First widely recognized work was in 1981 when First widely recognized work was in 1981 when he published True Nameshe published True Names

True Names would go on to influence such True Names would go on to influence such works of William Gibsons and Neal Stephensonworks of William Gibsons and Neal Stephenson

Pursuit of Hugo AwardPursuit of Hugo Award

Both of Vernor’s next two novels The Peace War (1984) Both of Vernor’s next two novels The Peace War (1984) and Marooned in Real Time (1986) were nominated for and Marooned in Real Time (1986) were nominated for the Hugo Awardthe Hugo AwardBoth times though he was beat out by Orson Scott Card Both times though he was beat out by Orson Scott Card and William Gibsonand William GibsonIt wasn’t until 1992 that he finally got his much deserved It wasn’t until 1992 that he finally got his much deserved Hugo award with A Fire Upon the DeepHugo award with A Fire Upon the DeepSince then he has won the Hugo award an additional Since then he has won the Hugo award an additional four times with A Deepness in the Sky (1999), Fast four times with A Deepness in the Sky (1999), Fast Times at Fairmont High (2002), The Cookie Monster Times at Fairmont High (2002), The Cookie Monster (2004) and most recently Rainbows End (2006).(2004) and most recently Rainbows End (2006).

ThemesThemes

Much of Vernor’s writings include some form of Much of Vernor’s writings include some form of an Artificial Intelligence and involve a type of an Artificial Intelligence and involve a type of technological singularity, of which Vernor is an technological singularity, of which Vernor is an avid believeravid believer““Within thirty years, we will have the Within thirty years, we will have the technological means to create superhuman technological means to create superhuman intelligence. Shortly after, the human era will be intelligence. Shortly after, the human era will be ended.ended.”” — Vernor Vinge, 1993 — Vernor Vinge, 1993Other themes include Anarcho-Capitalism which Other themes include Anarcho-Capitalism which favors a sovereign individual in a free market favors a sovereign individual in a free market with not state oversightwith not state oversight

Summary of NovelsSummary of Novels

TatjaTatja Grimm's World Grimm's World (1987) (1987)

The WitlingThe Witling (1976) (1976)

The Peace WarThe Peace War (1984) (1984)

Marooned in RealtimeMarooned in Realtime (1986) (1986)

A Fire Upon the DeepA Fire Upon the Deep (1992) (1992)

A Deepness in the SkyA Deepness in the Sky (1999) (1999)

Rainbows EndRainbows End