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Larry Ellison: Oracle Co-Founder Who Overtook Musk as the World’s Richest Man

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Larry Ellison, the co-founder of Oracle, is having a remarkable year. With his friend Donald Trump residing in the White House, and his son, David Ellison, taking the helm of the esteemed media company CBS, he recently outpaced his partner Elon Musk to claim the title of “The World’s Richest Person.”

The buzz around Oracle’s stock has further boosted his wealth, bringing Ellison’s net worth to an impressive $393 billion, overtaking Musk’s $384 billion.

While he may not have the same popularity as Musk, Ellison’s impact on Silicon Valley and the political landscape is significant. He is renowned for his extravagant lifestyle, which includes a massive yacht, a private jet, multiple marriages, and ownership of the entire island of Lanai in Hawaii.

At 81, this tech mogul has built a fortune through software development since the 1970s. He co-founded Oracle after securing a two-year contract to develop a database for the CIA. Academy of Achievement. Oracle has grown into a tech giant, creating software for Fortune 500 companies worldwide and making strides in cloud computing. The rise of artificial intelligence has further benefited the company, leading to fruitful partnerships with OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT.


“AI is a much bigger deal than the Industrial Revolution, electricity, and everything that has come before,” Ellison emphasized during an interview with former British Prime Minister Tony Blair in February.

Having served as Oracle’s CEO for 37 years before becoming Chief Technology Officer in 2014, Ellison continues to lead the board and retains over 40% ownership of the company. Notably, Oracle’s headquarters relocated from Silicon Valley to Austin, Texas, in 2020.

In addition to Oracle, Ellison was on Tesla’s board from 2018 to 2022, holding shares in Musk’s electric vehicle company. According to Forbes, he also owns nearly 50% of Paramount Skydance, a media conglomerate managed by his son David. The company encompasses CBS, MTV, Paramount Pictures, among others. Young Ellison claims that media firms stay clear of political affiliations, yet he is close to Bari Weiss, a controversial figure who co-founded the Free Press to head CBS News.

Ellison’s Connections to Trump and Netanyahu

Ellison has deep ties to the Republican Party and a close relationship with Trump, dating back to his first term. Ellison has often dined at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort and met him in the Oval Office. Oracle has positioned itself as a lead buyer of popular social media platforms as Trump has delayed a Supreme Court ruling that could ban TikTok unless it is sold.

“In Larry, in Larry Ellison, that goes far beyond technology,” Trump remarked in a press conference shortly after taking office. “He’s a great guy and a great businessman.”

Ellison is also closely connected to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and has made substantial contributions to the Israeli military through a nonprofit benefiting Israeli Defense Forces. In 2017, he made a record donation of $16.6 million. Oracle did not respond to inquiries from the Guardian about any recent donations.

Ellison has hosted Netanyahu and numerous high-profile officials and celebrities on his extensive estate in Lanai. According to Bloomberg, he purchased 98% of the island in 2012, transforming it into a luxury Four Seasons Resort and a hydroponic farm that produces lettuce and other vegetables. Local residents have shared their concerns over the rapid transformation of their island from a sleepy military base to an ultra-rich destination.

Musk, a close friend and competitor of Ellison in the realm of wealth, is a regular visitor to Lanai and considers Ellison a mentor. During a recent podcast with Texas Senator Ted Cruz, Musk referred to Ellison as one of the smartest individuals he’s ever encountered.

“Larry Ellison is incredibly intelligent,” Musk noted. “I believe he is one of the smartest people.”

Source: www.theguardian.com

Larry Ellison is Pursuing Elon Musk for the Title of World’s Richest Person

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U.S. tech mogul Larry Ellison has surpassed Elon Musk to become the wealthiest individual globally, primarily through his holdings in Oracle, the company he co-founded.

Ellison’s fortune surged after Oracle, in which he holds a 41% stake, reported stronger-than-anticipated financial performance.

In early trading, Oracle’s shares skyrocketed by over 40% to $340 each, valuing the enterprise software firm at $958 billion (£70.7 billion) and pushing Ellison’s net worth to $393 billion.

This stock surge marks the largest single-day increase in the company’s history and represents the highest one-day wealth gain ever recorded on the Bloomberg Index. Ellison and Musk currently lead ahead of Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg and Amazon’s Jeff Bezos.

In addition to Oracle, Ellison’s wealth stems from various ventures, including Musk’s sailing team, the Indian Wells Open Tennis Tournament, and investments in Tesla, the electric vehicle manufacturer based in Hawaii, according to Bloomberg.

Musk, often at odds with different figures in business and politics, maintains a close relationship with Ellison, who is regarded as a trailblazer among South African-born tech entrepreneurs.

Ellison served on Tesla’s board from 2018 to 2022 and has invested $1 billion in Musk’s Twitter since its rebranding as X. In Walter Isaacson’s biography of Musk, it is mentioned that when the Tesla CEO asked Ellison to invest in Twitter, he replied, “What do you recommend?” The book also highlights Musk’s frequent visits to Lanai, the Hawaiian island owned by Ellison.

Ellison is known to support Donald Trump and regularly appears alongside the U.S. President, including the launch of the Stargate project, which commits $500 million to American AI infrastructure. Musk, a well-known backer of Trump’s 2024 campaign, previously had close connections with Trump before they deteriorated earlier this year.

Oracle plays a significant role in Ellison’s financial portfolio, driven by the rising demand for cloud services from AI companies needing computing capabilities, such as those utilized by ChatGPT developer OpenAI.

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As reported by Bloomberg, Musk, who also leads SpaceX, first claimed the title of the richest person in the world in 2021.

He regained the title last year, but just 300 days later, it passed back to Ellison, now 81 years old.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Larry Niven’s Ringworld: Our Take on the Sci-Fi Classic – Impressive Math but Disappointing Teela

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Book Club shares their thoughts on Larry Niven’s Ringworld

Eugene Powers/Alamy

Experiencing the vibrant world created by Michel Nieva in his dystopian vision was something special—even more so while exploring Larry Niven’s classic science fiction work, Ringworld. Initially published in 1970, it reflects the hallmark traits of that era’s science fiction writing. While not a negative experience, it certainly offers a jarring shift for the New Scientist Book Club. Revisiting Ringworld as an adult from my teenage years prompted me to reflect on how it held up over time.

It’s important to note that much of what I cherished from Ringworld remains intact. The novel still evokes a sense of wonder, showcasing the depth of imagination, the expansive scale of its universe, and the cosmic distances it portrays. I fondly remember our protagonist, Louis Wu, at the brink of a distant planet, captivated by the Longfall River cascading into the highest waterfall in known space. His gaze followed it through the foggy mist, enthralled by the allure of the unknown.

Its grand scope is a significant aspect of why science fiction resonates with me. What insights can one gain, and what remains uncharted? The haunting imagery of razor-sharp sunflowers on Ringworld—the crew’s exploration of its vastness—created indelible impressions. Ringworld encapsulates that sense of wonder perfectly with lines like, “Men can lose their souls among the white stars… They call it A distant look. It’s perilous.”

Furthermore, I appreciated Niven’s ability to weave historical breadcrumbs into the narrative, referring to influential figures like Freeman Dyson, who inspired the concept of the Dyson sphere, as “one of the ancient natural philosophers, predating even the atomic age.” Such details are enjoyable nuggets to uncover. Additionally, Niven’s portrayal of aliens—from speakers to creatures—brilliantly evokes their essence through clever naming and design, particularly the inspiring vision of the speaker as a colossal version of our domestic cat.

As I previously mentioned, the prose does feel distinctly rooted in its time—somehow dated—with sexist undertones amidst the engaging scientific elements and intricate mathematics. The characters tend to lack depth; Louis Wu, for instance, can be quite off-putting, while Teela, our sole female character, deserves more agency. The narrative often drifts rather than following a tightly plotted journey, with characters simply moving from one event to the next without clear direction.

Intense discussions have emerged within our Facebook group, with many sharing similar sentiments. “I found enjoyment, yet felt distracted by the slow progression and the scientific facets overshadowed by the pervasive sexism,” remarked Eliza Rose, who likened it to early spy films where attractive women exist merely as accessories to the male protagonists.

Alain Pellett expressed distinct discomfort regarding Louis Wu’s treatment of women, noting that his interactions come off as unsettlingly superficial.

Gosia Furmanik, who grew up during Niven’s era, pointed out the challenge faced by non-male authors in finding supportive literary spaces. She stated, “Returning to science fiction after discovering works by authors beyond this genre’s prevalent pitfalls has been crucial,” reflecting on Ringworld in her review.

Undoubtedly, the arc of Teela’s character drew significant criticism from many readers. “I was frustrated with the conclusion of Teela’s storyline, which suggested women can only achieve significance through male figures,” wrote Samatha Lane.

Samantha also addressed a pivotal critique regarding the notion that “human males stand as the most astute beings in the universe.” This hubris roots itself in traditional humanism, positioning humanity at the center of all. This echoes the ongoing narrative surrounding our historical conquests in space—just a year after landing on the moon.

On a positive note, Niall Leighton spoke highly of the sheer scale of the novel, noting it hasn’t aged as poorly as some science fiction from that time.

Some readers appreciated Niven’s rigorous incorporation of mathematics into the narrative, stating it added an enjoyable layer to the experience. Linda Jones noted, “It has certainly enriched my enjoyment,” whereas Darren Rumbold found Klemperer Rosettes “particularly appealing.” However, not all shared this enthusiasm, as Phil Gersky commented, “I was eager to delve into this classic sci-fi novel. Unfortunately, the technobabble often marred my experience.”

Ultimately, I believe our Book Club’s exploration of this science fiction classic serves as a fascinating exercise capable of resonating with modern readers. I’m contemplating a journey into another classic soon, with suggestions pouring in from members eager to explore works by Ursula K. Le Guin, NK Jemisin, and Joan D. Vinge.

Next, we’re diving into a more contemporary read: Karian Bradley’s bestselling time travel novel, Time Saving. Yes, it features a female lead, and indeed, it passes the Bechdel Test. You can visit Karian’s site to read more about her novel and explore the intriguing opener. Join us for the discussion and share your thoughts over at our Facebook page.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Interview with Larry Niven: A Conversation with the Ringworld Legend on His Classic Science Fiction Novels

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Larry Niven, author of Ringworld, 2021

Eugene Powers/Alamy

Larry Niven is a towering figure in the realm of science fiction, and I felt honored to interview him via Zoom from his home in Los Angeles. His seminal 1970 novel, Ringworld, is this month’s selection for the New Scientist Book Club. However, his literary contributions span numerous novels and short stories, including one of my personal favorites, An outdated world. At 87, he continues to write, and we discussed his insights on Ringworld, the projects he’s currently working on, and his thoughts on humanity’s potential to venture beyond our solar system. Below is an edited transcript of our conversation.

Emily H. Wilson: Larry, thank you for participating in this interview and for being part of the New Scientist Book Club. It is a tremendous honor to speak with someone so central to the evolution of this genre.

Larry Niven: Thank you.

EHW: What inspired you to become a science fiction writer?

LN: I was immersed in science fiction during my early adulthood, but I only discovered the fandom when I started selling my stories. That connection was invaluable for me.

EHW: What was the genesis of the idea behind Ringworld?

LN: The concept of the Dyson sphere—hypothetical megastructures in space—was introduced to me by another writer, possibly Paul Anderson. Intrigued by the idea, I realized we could observe other civilizations based on their energy usage. But to harness that energy, one needs a way to block sunlight. I envisioned using rotational gravity for the Dyson sphere, focusing on its equatorial regions, and thus conceptualized the “poor man’s Dyson sphere.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a10qyat-oy8

EHW: A book club member noted that Ringworld evokes a sense of awe and wonder.

LN: My choice to depict a grand structure, despite the risk of ridicule, contributed to my success. Ringworld serves as a knowledge playground where readers can engage with its complexities and even rediscover my oversights.

EHW: Reflecting back from 2025, it seems like it was an immediate success, altering your career trajectory.

LN: That’s absolutely true.

EHW: You mentioned in your writings that New Scientist highlighted how students and scholars engaged with physics concepts in Ringworld post-publication. How did that affect you? Do you think we will see such global interaction today?

LN: Science fiction permeates various media like film and comics. While Ringworld remains significant, capturing the attention of mathematicians isn’t straightforward.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xifbspaz83u

EHW: What is the essence of science fiction?

LN: It’s about envisioning the future. Things are in flux, and science fiction highlights the notion that minds can think similarly but are fundamentally different.

EHW: Why did you write Ringworld Engineers as a sequel? One book club member mentioned that it was their first introduction to your work.

LN: I aimed to improve upon Ringworld since its inhabitants were not fleshed out enough. Robert Heinlein told me that the two books together formed a significant narrative.

EHW: The universe in Ringworld set in known space led to extensive narrative weaving. How did that come about?

LN: It seemed logical to create interlinked stories within the universe I had built. This web of narrative has been evolving for over 60 years.

EHW: If you were to rewrite Ringworld today, would it differ from the original?

LN: I’ve often thought that if I were to begin anew, I would focus on the barriers of interstellar travel. Building a ring world implies challenges in reaching other stars.

EHW: At what point in your career did you become a full-time science writer? Did you ever balance it with other jobs?

LN: I was a science enthusiast, particularly in astrophysics and astronomy. At 24, I realized my options were limited, which led me to start writing.

EHW: How is science fiction perceived today?

LN: I’m not as engaged with the field nowadays. I often buy books online for my Kindle, but that doesn’t mean I make the most of the current offerings.

EHW: One of my favorites of yours, An outdated world, isn’t widely read despite being a fantastic story told concisely. What can you share about writing that book?

LN: Initially, it was a dystopian tale about people frozen for the future, struggling with their wishes when they were revived—without civil rights. I encapsulated that in a short story called Rammer, which turned into the first chapter of An outdated world. I eventually continued that narrative as I became comfortable exploring the future.

EHW: You were known for your collaboration on The Mote in God’s Eye with Jerry Pournelle. How do two authors co-write a novel?

LN: Jerry and I collaborated on roughly nine novels. When he proposed the idea to co-write, I accepted without knowing where it would lead, and it turned out to be both fun and challenging. Our involvement with the Los Angeles Science Fantasy Association helped shape the narrative over three years and even earned us an award for the best unfinished novel.

EHW: Before this interview, you mentioned your book Draco’s Izakaya, a collection of short stories. I approached it hesitantly, as I’m not a short story person. It uniquely merges narratives, introducing readers to aliens through the bartender’s character. It felt more like a novel than a traditional collection. What was your aim in writing it?

LN: I started writing short stories knowing they needed substance beyond mere glimpses. My goal for Draco’s Izakaya was to convey wisdom within a lean structure, crafting a narrative that felt unified despite its brevity.

EHW: If you were to recommend four other books alongside Draco’s Izakaya, which would you choose?

LN: Depending on the individual asking, I might suggest: Lucifer’s Hammer for casual readers, Scaffold for military personnel, Ringworld for true fans, and Destiny’s Road for general audiences as well.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vg3u-set38c

EHW: What are you currently working on?

LN: I’m collaborating with Stephen Burns on a space novel featuring Gil “Arm” Hamilton. We’ve begun an anthology project, and our short story, The Sacred Cow, which features Gil, won an award from Analog Magazine. Now, we’re encouraged to produce more content.

EHW: A few quick questions: What is your favorite science fiction book that you didn’t write?

LN: I truly enjoy Nova by Samuel R. Delany.

EHW: What is a favorite book in a genre you haven’t ventured into?

LN: I believe it must be The Wizard of Oz.

EHW: What is your favorite science fiction television show?

LN: Star Trek, but I’m not as caught up with it.

EHW: What is your all-time favorite sci-fi film?

LN: I have a fondness for Destination Moon and admire ambitious works like 2001: A Space Odyssey and Rollerball for their ambition.

EHW: What advice would you give to aspiring science fiction writers today?

LN: Simplify your approach, much like I did.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=llzdlkwgdpo

EHW: Do you still wish to meet aliens?

LN: I think I’m prepared to encounter the puppeteers from my works or the Mediator.

EHW: And do you think humanity will eventually leave this solar system?

LN: We’re making advancements, though not as quickly as we imagined. Initially, we thought reaching the moon would be simple, and it has proven quite challenging.

Larry, thank you for this enlightening conversation. It has truly been a privilege.

LN: You’re welcome. I always enjoy speaking with New Scientist. Be sure to read and savor!

Larry Niven’s Ringworld is the latest selection for the New Scientist Book Club. Join us to read along!

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  • New Scientist Book Club

Source: www.newscientist.com

Rediscovering Larry Niven: the mastermind behind Ringworld

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Ring World Throughout the Times

Ring World
Larry Niven (Golanz)

Ringworld by Larry Niven won both Hugo and Nebula awards in 1970, and received massive acclaim. It has been printed ever since.

It came out when humans had just landed on the moon and we seemed to be heading towards the stars. The title alone evokes a particular golden age of science fiction when (most male) writers wrestled with big physics and big ideas, imagining a distant future in which humans took on galaxy adventures.

Authors like Niven were pride in trying to get science right because they wanted to imagine what was in the universe. and Ring World Features New Scientist This month seemed like a good time to revisit Book Club and novels, and finally read it as a teenager.

How did this 55 year old work stand the test of time? After all, many books from this era are grossly dating. Because science has now made their plotline stupid. Sometimes, because sexual politics (or other cultural aspects) have begun to stink for decades.

First of all, this book is packed with ideas! You can see why it was a smash hit and eventually became part of a vast network of follow-up stories, prequels and spinoffs.

Considering how much internal lore is thrown at us, I found the novel surprisingly zippy and exposition light. Our 200-year-old hero, Louis Gridley Wu, was approached by alien Ness, known as a human-seasoned adventurer and puppeteer, and asked to come to a mysterious mission in exchange for access to new technology.

Ring World Evokes the golden age of science fiction when writers (mainly men) wrestled with big physics and big ideas

Woo and Nessus are to join their adventures with a belligerent “Kuchinti” alien like cats called Speakers and Animals (the animal in question is the other species) and a young human woman named Tierra Brown, who became apparent only later in the story. The gang travels to Ringworld of the same name and crashes after being fired by an ancient security system.

Ringworld is the star of this show. This is an ancient craft on an unthinkable scale. A world of ribbons looped around the stars, 1.6 million kilometers wide and an internal surface area of ​​3 million Earths. It has a diameter of 305 million kilometers and is made from a material with incredible tensile strength. In the Terra-formed innermost part of Ringworld, civilization has fallen, but life continues.

Woo and the gang have to find a way to move a vast distance across the inside of the ring and leave it. Along the way, as you can imagine, they have a lot of adventures.

There is something modern editors would probably want to cut about this 1970 novel convention, and they may want to give female characters more depth.

Meanwhile, science was thoroughly separated by readers at the time, so Niven’s follow-up, Ring World EngineerThe S, published 10 years later, was a counterargument for all people who understood the fundamental mechanism. Ring World.

This isn’t my favorite Niven. In other words An outdated world. However, revisit Ring World I starved him to return to his universe. I’m going to reaffirm some of his other classics The Mot of God’s Eye similarly Ring World There are many interesting questions that you won’t be able to answer in the first book, so there’s a follow-up.

I would recommend Emily too…

Draco Izakaya
Larry Niven (TOR Publishing)

Strictly speaking, this section should be entitled “Larry Niven also recommended.” I recently exchanged emails with him to plan an interview and I asked him which of his books he would specifically recommend to me. He answered immediately Draco Izakaya. I didn’t have time to read it yet, but I’m very happy to be able to share this recommendation with the man himself..

Emily H. Wilson is the former editor of the new scientist and author of the Sumerian trilogy set in ancient Mesopotamia. The final novel in the series, Ninshuval, will be competing in August. You can find her at emilyhwilson.com or follow her on x @emilyhwilson and instagram @emilyhwilson1

Arts and science of writing science fiction

Explore the world of science fiction and learn how to create your own fascinating science fiction stories in this immersive weekend break.

topic:

Source: www.newscientist.com

Rediscovering Larry Niven: The Master of Science Fiction and Ringworld Creator

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Ring World Throughout the Times

Ring World
Larry Niven (Golanz)

Ringworld by Larry Niven won both Hugo and Nebula awards in 1970, and received massive acclaim. It has been printed ever since.

It came out when humans had just landed on the moon and we seemed to be heading towards the stars. The title alone evokes a particular golden age of science fiction when (most male) writers wrestled with big physics and big ideas, imagining a distant future in which humans took on galaxy adventures.

Authors like Niven were pride in trying to get science right because they wanted to imagine what was in the universe. and Ring World Features New Scientist This month seemed like a good time to revisit Book Club and novels, and finally read it as a teenager.

How did this 55 year old work stand the test of time? After all, many books from this era are grossly dating. Because science has now made their plotline stupid. Sometimes, because sexual politics (or other cultural aspects) have begun to stink for decades.

First of all, this book is packed with ideas! You can see why it was a smash hit and eventually became part of a vast network of follow-up stories, prequels and spinoffs.

Considering how much internal lore is thrown at us, I found the novel surprisingly zippy and exposition light. Our 200-year-old hero, Louis Gridley Wu, was approached by alien Ness, known as a human-seasoned adventurer and puppeteer, and asked to come to a mysterious mission in exchange for access to new technology.

Ring World Evokes the golden age of science fiction when writers (mainly men) wrestled with big physics and big ideas

Woo and Nessus are to join their adventures with a belligerent “Kuchinti” alien like cats called Speakers and Animals (the animal in question is the other species) and a young human woman named Tierra Brown, who became apparent only later in the story. The gang travels to Ringworld of the same name and crashes after being fired by an ancient security system.

Ringworld is the star of this show. This is an ancient craft on an unthinkable scale. A world of ribbons looped around the stars, 1.6 million kilometers wide and an internal surface area of ​​3 million Earths. It has a diameter of 305 million kilometers and is made from a material with incredible tensile strength. In the Terra-formed innermost part of Ringworld, civilization has fallen, but life continues.

Woo and the gang have to find a way to move a vast distance across the inside of the ring and leave it. Along the way, as you can imagine, they have a lot of adventures.

There is something modern editors would probably want to cut about this 1970 novel convention, and they may want to give female characters more depth.

Meanwhile, science was thoroughly separated by readers at the time, so Niven’s follow-up, Ring World EngineerThe S, published 10 years later, was a counterargument for all people who understood the fundamental mechanism. Ring World.

This isn’t my favorite Niven. In other words An outdated world. However, revisit Ring World I starved him to return to his universe. I’m going to reaffirm some of his other classics The Mot of God’s Eyesimilarly Ring WorldThere are many interesting questions that you won’t be able to answer in the first book, so there’s a follow-up.

I would recommend Emily too…

Draco Izakaya
Larry Niven (TOR Publishing)

Strictly speaking, this section should be entitled “Larry Niven also recommended.” I recently exchanged emails with him to plan an interview and I asked him which of his books he would specifically recommend to me. He answered immediately Draco Izakaya. I didn’t have time to read it yet, but I’m very happy to be able to share this recommendation with the man himself..

Emily H. Wilson is the former editor of the new scientist and author of the Sumerian trilogy set in ancient Mesopotamia. The final novel in the series, Ninshuval, will be competing in August. You can find her at emilyhwilson.com or follow her on x @emilyhwilson and instagram @emilyhwilson1

Arts and science of writing science fiction

Explore the world of science fiction and learn how to create your own fascinating science fiction stories in this immersive weekend break.

topic:

Source: www.newscientist.com

Exploring the Works of Science Fiction Master Larry Niven, Author of Ringworld

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Ring World Throughout the Times

Ring World
Larry Niven (Golanz)

Ringworld by Larry Niven won both Hugo and Nebula awards in 1970, and received massive acclaim. It has been printed ever since.

It came out when humans had just landed on the moon and we seemed to be heading towards the stars. The title alone evokes a particular golden age of science fiction when (most male) writers wrestled with big physics and big ideas, imagining a distant future in which humans took on galaxy adventures.

Authors like Niven were pride in trying to get science right because they wanted to imagine what was in the universe. and Ring World Features New Scientist This month seemed like a good time to revisit Book Club and novels, and finally read it as a teenager.

How did this 55 year old work stand the test of time? After all, many books from this era are grossly dating. Because science has now made their plotline stupid. Sometimes, because sexual politics (or other cultural aspects) have begun to stink for decades.

First of all, this book is packed with ideas! You can see why it was a smash hit and eventually became part of a vast network of follow-up stories, prequels and spinoffs.

Considering how much internal lore is thrown at us, I found the novel surprisingly zippy and exposition light. Our 200-year-old hero, Louis Gridley Wu, was approached by alien Ness, known as a human-seasoned adventurer and puppeteer, and asked to come to a mysterious mission in exchange for access to new technology.

Ring World Evokes the golden age of science fiction when writers (mainly men) wrestled with big physics and big ideas

Woo and Nessus are to join their adventures with a belligerent “Kuchinti” alien like cats called Speakers and Animals (the animal in question is the other species) and a young human woman named Tierra Brown, who became apparent only later in the story. The gang travels to Ringworld of the same name and crashes after being fired by an ancient security system.

Ringworld is the star of this show. This is an ancient craft on an unthinkable scale. A world of ribbons looped around the stars, 1.6 million kilometers wide and an internal surface area of 3 million Earths. It has a diameter of 305 million kilometers and is made from a material with incredible tensile strength. In the Terra-formed innermost part of Ringworld, civilization has fallen, but life continues.

Woo and the gang have to find a way to move a vast distance across the inside of the ring and leave it. Along the way, as you can imagine, they have a lot of adventures.

There is something modern editors would probably want to cut about this 1970 novel convention, and they may want to give female characters more depth.

Meanwhile, science was thoroughly separated by readers at the time, so Niven’s follow-up, Ring World EngineerThe S, published 10 years later, was a counterargument for all people who understood the fundamental mechanism. Ring World.

This isn’t my favorite Niven. In other words An outdated world. However, revisit Ring World I starved him to return to his universe. I’m going to reaffirm some of his other classics The Mot of God’s Eyesimilarly Ring WorldThere are many interesting questions that you won’t be able to answer in the first book, so there’s a follow-up.

I would recommend Emily too…

Draco Izakaya
Larry Niven (TOR Publishing)

Strictly speaking, this section should be entitled “Larry Niven also recommended.” I recently exchanged emails with him to plan an interview and I asked him which of his books he would specifically recommend to me. He answered immediately Draco Izakaya. I didn’t have time to read it yet, but I’m very happy to be able to share this recommendation with the man himself..

Emily H. Wilson is the former editor of the new scientist and author of the Sumerian trilogy set in ancient Mesopotamia. The final novel in the series, Ninshuval, will be competing in August. You can find her at emilyhwilson.com or follow her on x @emilyhwilson and instagram @emilyhwilson1

Arts and science of writing science fiction

Explore the world of science fiction and learn how to create your own fascinating science fiction stories in this immersive weekend break.

topic:

Source: www.newscientist.com