Notes on The Diamond Age

I hope that 3d printers will soon be as ubiquitous in our society as Matter Compilers are in The Diamond Age.


The Drummers underground is very similar to the function of the human neural system, which is an interesting contrast: it functions in a similar dynamic with similar structures but on a larger scale, yet most of the rest of the technology in the novel is on a nanotechnological scale.

Nell's ascent into into her position in high society is the reverse parallel of Hackworth's loss of societal status throughout the story.

The scene where Nell visits Harv who is living in government run treatment center for ill people was poignant because it seems very true to the current status of technological development for ill people.

The last scene where Nell saves Miranda, her “virtual” mother, is a stark contrast between the behavior of her real mother.

Much of the nanotechnology in this novel could be realized as soon as 50 years from now.

The concept of phyles reminds me of the ancient Greek nation-state.

The "independent" and unsigned Nanomites inhabiting the blood streams of people are like a material version of "spam"

It seems like nanotechnology has been used more for cultural reasons than humanitarian reasons in many situations.