Liked this; didn't love it. Notes on a few of the stories follow.
First story - about Tower of Babel - probably my favorite. I of course love the original Bible story - this is very creative in describing the tower construction - ending a bit of a letdown, not understanding the water business going in a circle.
"Story of Your Life" - per the Arrival movie - all the back-and-forth with the daughter who died in an accident. The idea of their written language as differing from verbal - didn't have to waste time with sequential-ness - that made a glimmer of sense as thinking of listening to a reader (or video/TV narrator) as compared to reading. Knowing the future. Interesting.
"Seventy-Two Letters" - trying to generate human life via automata; kabbalist; didn't care about anything in this story line. Hugo movie . . . don't know what the 72 letters/nomenclature thing refers to. Gilgamesh.
"The Evolution of Human Science" - just a few pages, something about metahumans taking over scientific research because humans can't keep up
"Hell Is the Absence of God" - angels visit; some cured, some harmed, protagonist's wife is killed and he wants to go to heaven to be with her. another character is harmed then cured then harmed. storm-chasing the angels. didn't care about the characters
"Liking What You See: A Documentary" - perception of beauty; the Neanderthal who points out the next step will be suppressing appreciation for musical or athletic talent; and what about height? probably supposed to draw parallels to other PC situations. at the end, suggestions of software that will make speakers charismatic/effective. follows thwarted romance of a girl that grew up with calli, turned it off at 18, now wants to go back. referendum at the college. This was pretty interesting.
Sometimes it feels like the author is showing off knowledge in science or math areas - doesn't add much to the storyline.
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