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Review of ‘A Hole in the Sky’: Peter F. Hamilton’s Sci-Fi Epic with a Notable Flaw

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Dark silhouette of a girl in a dress against the backdrop of mysterious deep space

A Hole in the Sky is narrated through the eyes of 16-year-old Hazel

Adam Selva/Alamy

Empty Hole
Peter F. Hamilton – Angry Robot

As an avid admirer of Peter F. Hamilton, I eagerly anticipated his latest release, Empty Hole, particularly because I’ve always been fascinated by the Ark story.

Centuries have elapsed since the ship’s voyage, and its crew has devolved into a medieval-like society, residing beneath the remnants of their ancestors’ advanced technology. We uncover the challenges they encountered, including issues with the planet they were meant to land on, and a rebellious uprising on board that stranded them in perilous circumstances. At the age of 65, inhabitants must be recycled for the ship. This unique premise captivates me completely.

All of this is framed from Hazel’s first-person viewpoint, a 16-year-old girl. A significant breach exists in the ship’s hull (hence the title), she battles intense headaches, and soon finds herself ensnared in a whirlwind of dramatic events. Yet she finds time to fret about boys and garments, which I couldn’t afford. Why would a girl focus on fashion when the survival of everyone in a spaceship is at stake, and she is constantly plagued by headaches?

As fans may know, Hamilton is a master storyteller renowned for his contributions to big science fiction. My personal favorites include Empty Space and the Dawn trilogy, as well as his intricate and thrilling Commonwealth Saga duology. His narratives are dynamic, wildly innovative, and filled with complexities that often leave me thrilled, even if I don’t fully grasp every detail.

I had reservations about Hamilton’s more recent works, like Exodus: Archimedes Engine, which ties into the upcoming video game, Exodus. I felt certain plotlines were included solely to promote the game, detracting from the reader’s enjoyment. However, I appreciate that these works may not target my demographic. It’s evident the seasoned author is seeking new challenges. (For those who enjoy video game adaptations, the second installment in the game series will be released later this year and the game is set to debut in 2027.)

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If I were a movie or TV scout, I could envision Empty Hole adapting beautifully for the screen.
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All this reminds me of Empty Hole. Midway through, I realized it seemed somewhat juvenile, for want of a better term. Research revealed that this novel was initially released as an audio-only book in 2021, primarily categorized as “young adult” or targeted towards teenagers.

In a 2020 interview, Hamilton expressed, “Though young adults as protagonists define a particular publishing category, I hope this work will resonate with audiences of all ages.” Personally, I don’t believe that a youthful protagonist excludes the potential for an adult-oriented book. (I mention this as a writer of novels featuring teenage lead characters.) So, can readers of all ages enjoy this book?

The plot setup and twists are stellar, as expected from Hamilton. However, I wish he had toned down the “teenage” aspects. I don’t require an interlude where she holds her boyfriend’s hand while my hero is fleeing danger. I believe that making the protagonist face the reality of being recycled at 65 would have added significant weight.

Perhaps Hamilton will capture a fresh audience with this release. For instance, as a movie or TV scout, I could envision how Empty Hole would look great on screen. This title is the first in a trilogy, with sequels slated for release in June and December. As I highlighted in my preview of new science fiction releases for 2026, this rapid schedule is unusual, and I’m excited to see how it unfolds.

I also recommend Emily…

Pandora’s Star
Peter F. Hamilton – Pan Macmillan

If you’re yet to experience Hamilton’s classic works, there are various entry points into the remarkable worlds he has created. I recommend Pandora’s Star and its sequel, Judas Unchained, as excellent beginnings. If “epic space opera” resonates with you, these novels are likely a perfect match.

Emily H. Wilson is a former editor of New Scientist and author of Sumerian, a trilogy set in ancient Mesopotamia. The final book in the series, Ninchevar, is currently available. You can find her at emilywilson.com, or follow her on X @emilyhwilson and Instagram @emilyhwilson1.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

A Critical Flaw in Society’s Punishment System: The Psychological Impact.

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Individuals engage in wrongdoing and face consequences. They begin to collaborate. This fundamental belief that humans act rationally and alter their behavior in response to consequences lies at the core of Western legal frameworks, criminal behavior, and economic theories. The evolution of cooperation. However, extensive research over several decades indicates that punishment may not be as effective as thought.

Analysis has consistently shown that harsher penalties, including the three strikes law, do not reliably deter crime. The U.S. National Research Council’s report could not establish the death penalty’s effectiveness. Meanwhile, the U.S. possesses the most punitive criminal justice system globally, with notable rates of imprisonment and recidivism.

These real-world observations stand in stark contrast to much of the controlled experimental literature. In notable research, economists Ernst Fehr and Simon Gechter designed a game where participants could allocate money to a communal pool, which would then be doubled and redistributed, maximizing benefits for all contributors. Yet, individuals found it more advantageous to withhold contributions while others carried the load. While cooperation diminished in scenarios lacking punishment for free riders, the introduction of penalties significantly boosted contributions to the pool.

What explains the gap between experimental results and real-world dynamics? We explored this question in a recent study published in PNAS. We noted that individuals tasked with enforcing penalties often have conflicting incentives that can erode their credibility and diminish the public’s trust in them. In Ferguson, Missouri, authorities relied on fines to fund city services, disproportionately impacting Black communities. Across the U.S., billions are confiscated through civil asset forfeiture, permitting law enforcement to seize property from individuals suspected of criminal activity.

We hypothesized that self-serving motives behind punishment could undermine cooperation by clouding the ethical implications associated with collaborative behavior. Unlike other species, humans possess a “theory of mind” and are acutely aware of others’ intentions and motives. Punishment carries a message of disapproval necessitating behavioral change; however, this only holds weight if individuals perceive the punisher’s motives as justifiable. Humans, inherently social beings, ask, “What’s your reasoning for this?” If the answer appears self-serving, the deterrent effects of punishment diminish.

To validate our hypothesis, we conducted a series of experiments utilizing the same game that demonstrated punishment’s role in enhancing cooperation. Here, one player (the dictator) decides on potential monetary sharing with another player (the receiver), while a third player (the punisher) can revoke funds from the dictator. A twist emerged where punishers were incentivized financially; akin to police utilizing ticket quotas to boost revenue, our punishers received bonuses each time they issued a penalty. This change reversed the expected outcome; rather than improving cooperation, the incentivized punishment led to decreased collaboration, as trust in the punisher waned.

Our results indicate a need to reassess crime management methodologies. When punitive actions are perceived as self-serving, they foster distrust and hinder the cooperation that such measures are intended to reinforce. To cultivate safer, more cohesive communities, it is essential to eliminate policies that compromise the ethical underpinnings of punishment. This includes abolishing speed trap quotas and profit-driven incarceration, practices implying that punishment is motivated by financial gain rather than justice.

Raihan Alam and Tage Rai are students at the Rady School of Business at the University of California, San Diego.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Tesla issues widespread recall in response to Autopilot flaw following fatal Virginia crash and technology concerns.

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Tesla has recalled nearly all vehicles sold in the United States to fix a flaw in Elon Musk’s electric car company’s Autopilot driver assistance system. The move comes after Virginia authorities discovered the vehicle’s software had been activated during a previous fatal crash. July.

The recall of more than 2 million vehicles, reportedly the largest in Tesla history, was revealed as part of an ongoing investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The investigation, which began more than two years ago and includes an investigation into 956 crashes in which Autopilot was implicated, found that existing safety measures “may not be sufficient to prevent driver misuse of the software.” It was determined that there is.

“In certain situations, when Autosteer is activated and the driver is not responsible for operating the vehicle and is not prepared to intervene if necessary, or when Autosteer is canceled or activated. Failure to recognize when it is not present can increase the risk of a crash,” NHTSA said in a release.

Electric car manufacturer announces recall This will consist of an over-the-air software update that was expected to be rolled out on Tuesday or a little later. This update applies to Tesla Model 3, Model S, Model X, and Model Y vehicles manufactured in certain years, including those dating back to 2012.

NHTSA is still investigating the crash that led to the death of Pablo Teodoro III. WRC TV

The vehicle will be provided with “additional controls and warnings” to remind drivers to take precautions when using Autopilot, such as keeping both hands on the steering wheel and keeping their eyes on the road.

Tesla shares fell more than 1.5% in Wednesday trading before closing up 1%.

The announcement came on the same day that Virginia officials revealed that Autopilot was being used. Pablo Teodoro III, 57, crashed his Tesla into a tractor-trailer, causing a fatal accident. Authorities also determined that the Tesla vehicle was speeding before the accident.

Pablo Teodoro III had activated Autopilot before the fatal crash, officials said. Handouts to families

A spokeswoman for the Fauquier County Sheriff’s Office said Teodoro appeared to have taken action a second before the accident, but it was unclear what he did.

The investigation also found that the car’s systems “recognized something on the road and sent a message.”

NHTSA is still investigating the crash.

The recall also Washington Post’s shocking report Tesla claimed it was allowing Autopilot to be used in areas the software was not designed to handle.

Tesla is facing intense scrutiny over its Autopilot software. AP

The media claimed to have found at least eight fatal or serious accidents involving Tesla Autopilot on roads where “driving assistance software cannot reliably operate,” such as roads with hills or sharp curves.

In response to this article, Tesla defended the safety of its Autopilot software with a lengthy argued that “we have a moral obligation to keep improving what is already the best product.” -In-class safety system. ”

Elon Musk claims Autopilot is safe. Reuters

“The data is clear: the more automation technology provided to support drivers, the safer they and other road users will be,” the company said.

Tesla President Elon Musk reiterated that Autopilot is safe to use and emphasized the company’s commitment to developing driver assistance and fully self-driving features as an important part of the company’s long-term plans.

with post wire

Source: nypost.com