To meet an alien intelligence, humanity sends a crew that is barely human themselves:
A "Synthesist" who had half his brain removed to stop seizures, leaving him a highly analytical observer who lacks traditional empathy. Blindsight by Peter Watts.epub
A genetically resurrected vampire —an extinct, predatory subspecies of human with superhuman processing power but a lethal allergy to right angles (the "crucifix glitch"). To meet an alien intelligence, humanity sends a
The crew encounters alien entities that are vastly more intelligent and faster than humans but appear to have no self-awareness or "inner life". Every wild idea—from the vampires to the space
Every wild idea—from the vampires to the space travel—is backed by a 30-page appendix of real scientific citations.
40% into Blindsight, by Peter Watts, and quite bored. Should I give up?
The central, chilling argument of the book is that .