Book Review series: Permutation City
When I first read Greg Egan's Permutation City about 10 years ago, I expected a dense and technical narrative, but I found myself drawn into its philosophical depth. Egan’s meticulous approach to mathematics and computational theory can intimidate casual readers but what makes the book truly compelling is its engagement with questions that resonate deeply in the era of artificial intelligence.
Permutation City stretches the limits of reality and consciousness in the age of digital existence. It explores the philosophical and computational implications of simulated worlds, questioning what it means to be human in a universe where the distinction between humans and computers becomes irrelevant. The protagonist is a scientist obsessed with the theory that consciousness can be fully detached from biological constraints. His vision extends beyond digital immortality: he proposes to build a simulated world governed by deterministic physics, where digital replicas can create and shape their own existence.
He suggests that reality is not tied to physical computation but to the observer’s perception of logical consistency and seeks to create a reality with infinite self-generating permutations. The book suggests that intelligence and consciousness are not limited to biological substrates. If a digital mind can evolve and construct its own logic, does it remain human, or does it become something else entirely? The novel’s concept of layered simulations mirrors modern discussions on AI-driven perception and the idea that large language models do not “think” but generate responses based on probability. If perception shapes reality, how different are these AI-generated experiences from the subjective consciousness we take for granted?
Just as I've been exploring the importance of preserving human agency in an AI-driven world, Permutation City questions whether our essence can truly persist when translated into code. It does not provide easy answers, but instead invites us to grapple with the implications of a future where intelligence may no longer be tethered to the physical world. The book challenges the reader to reconsider the foundations of selfhood, much like AI forces us to rethink what intelligence really means.
Should we start a book club?
Sonam Pelden
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