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[D] Perfect State by Brandon Sanderson, a novella set in a Sharded Matrix.

Post:

I found Perfect State a bit ago, and it was wonderful. Sanderson's one of my favorite authors, and this novella felt like a worthy companion to qntm's Ra, Prime Intellect, and the Friendship is optimal universe.

It's mostly a story about an unconventional date between two people who would be on opposite sides of the reality vs. simulation argument, in a simulation system which tries to maximize happiness.

Comments:

u/None [+5] (an hour later)

[deleted]

u/ArgentStonecutter [+3] Emergency Mustelid Hologram (6 hours later)

I would go in, but I don't think I'd be optimally happy in that sharded an environment.

u/Prezombie [+3] (2 hours later)

I can totally see humanity using the matrix as a tool, such as for education, entertainment, and therapy. For people who can't function in normal society, giving them a matrix world which lets them fit in seems like a good step forward in providing them with the support many don't get.

At the same time, being locked into a matrix is essentially a horror, especially when coupled with (near)immortality. If I had incontrivertable proof that there was a concious entity intentionally subverting my desire for agency, they'd clearly be an enemy if they had no intention of ever letting me have agency on a level similar to their own. Even if I was convinced they did plan to allow me out eventually, I'd still be pretty adversarial towards them.

Yeah, I've never had a very good relationship with parents or other controlling entities. :P

u/Transfuturist [+3] Carthago delenda est. (32 minutes later)

A link to the excerpt.

u/Salaris [+2] Dominion Sorcerer (2 days later)

Yep, love this. (I posted about it a while back, as /u/eaturbrainz pointed out.)

I consider it one of his strongest stand alone works. The Emperor's Soul is really solid, too, but less of standard /r/rational fare.

u/None [+1] (8 hours later)

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