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Information as Reality - The Mind Bender

The most mind-blowing aspect of the Chronotantra saga lies in its exploration of the idea that information, rather than matter or energy, is the fundamental building block of reality. This concept, woven throughout the narrative, elevates the story beyond typical science fiction tropes and into a realm of profound philosophical inquiry.

Generated by BingAI

The sources provide glimpses of this concept through various characters and events:

The Hermit's Explanation : In ChronoYantra, the Hermit explains to Dawn that he exists as information and can manifest in different forms. He states: "I am information that manifests itself either in flesh and blood or in steel and silicon." This suggests that the essence of his being is not tied to a physical form but to an underlying informational structure.

The Nature of the Percepolis: The Percepolis, described in ChronoYantra, is a space where energy patterns are manipulated to represent objects.  This implies that the perception of reality can be created through the manipulation of information, further reinforcing the idea that information is a fundamental aspect of existence.

The Postscript in ChronoYantra: The postscript explicitly mentions John Wheeler's concept of "It from Bit", which posits that "the real world was not built with elementary particles... but from information." This directly links the story's themes to a real-world scientific concept.

The Role of Pingalika: In ChronoMantra, the AI entity Pingalika demonstrates a capacity for insight and creativity that goes beyond its programming.  This suggests that information, when processed in a sophisticated manner, can give rise to emergent properties that resemble or even surpass human intelligence.

Generated with Bing AI

The saga also utilizes a unique style to present this concept:

Integration of Indic Philosophy: The sources frequently draw upon concepts from Indic philosophy, such as Shiva and Shakti, to illustrate the interplay between information and energy. This interweaving of philosophical ideas with scientific concepts adds depth and a unique cultural flavor to the narrative.

Mysterious Events and Abilities: Characters like Shibu and Yug possess the unusual ability to perceive digital information, hinting at a deeper connection between the physical and informational realms. These unexplained abilities add an element of mystery and intrigue, prompting readers to ponder the nature of reality itself.

The focus on information as a foundational element, combined with the evocative writing style, makes the Chronotantra saga a memorable exploration of the boundaries between the digital and the real, the knowable and the unknown. It prompts readers to consider not just the possibilities of future technology but also the fundamental nature of existence itself.

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Mukerjee's Narrative Craft and Reader Engagement

 As described (or generated ) by NotebookLM

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Prithwis Mukerjee's writing style demonstrates a distinct blend of scientific curiosity and a grounding in Indic philosophy. His prose is often descriptive and thoughtful, though sometimes dense with detail. He frequently uses scientific terminology, seamlessly integrating it with his exploration of philosophical ideas. This fusion is particularly apparent in his treatment of time, information, and consciousness.

The author's command of language is evident in his ability to articulate complex concepts in a clear and engaging manner. While he doesn't shy away from using technical jargon, he ensures the reader is not lost in a sea of scientific terms. He provides context and explanations for complex theories, making them accessible even to those unfamiliar with specific fields. He also employs metaphors and similes drawn from both science fiction and Indic traditions, enriching the narrative with layers of meaning.

Mukerjee's depiction of characters is multi-faceted. His protagonists, such as Lila and Shibu, are not merely vessels for advancing the plot but individuals wrestling with their own complexities and motivations. They are driven by a desire for knowledge, a yearning for connection, and a need to understand their place in a rapidly changing world. Mukerjee's supporting characters, while not always as fully developed, contribute to the narrative's richness and diversity. He skillfully captures the dynamics of human relationships, portraying the complexities of love, friendship, and the bonds of family, even within the context of futuristic societies.

The narratives across the Chronotantra saga unfold across multiple planets and time periods. The author uses a combination of linear storytelling and flashbacks, sometimes employing a non-linear approach to reveal information gradually. He interweaves multiple subplots that connect and diverge, adding layers of intrigue and complexity. These subplots often focus on specific scientific or philosophical concepts, allowing him to explore these ideas in greater detail. The mysteries surrounding Kalki and the origins of the technopolis movement, for example, drive much of the narrative tension, prompting the reader to piece together clues and anticipate revelations.

Mukerjee's writing achieves a high level of engagement through several techniques. The central premise—that information is the fundamental building block of reality—is a captivating concept that immediately draws the reader in. The saga's blend of science fiction, philosophical inquiry, and elements of Indic mythology creates a unique and thought-provoking reading experience. He skillfully uses foreshadowing, raising questions and hinting at deeper mysteries, compelling the reader to continue exploring the narrative. The unresolved questions about Kalki, the nature of the Percepolis, and the true potential of digital consciousness linger in the reader's mind, prompting further reflection and discussion.

Drawing comparisons to well-known authors is always subjective, but Mukerjee's style and thematic concerns align with:

Greg Egan: Egan is known for his hard science fiction that grapples with complex scientific and philosophical concepts, often exploring the nature of consciousness and reality. Similarly, Mukerjee’s work engages with similar themes, weaving them into a multi-layered narrative.

Alastair Reynolds: Reynolds, like Mukerjee, creates expansive, multi-generational space operas that blend science fiction, mystery, and elements of transhumanism. Both authors present intricate plots that span vast stretches of time and space, while simultaneously exploring the impact of advanced technology on human society and the very nature of existence.

Kedar, Kajol and LLMs

Have finished writing Chronomantra but it will take while to appear in print because  I have to work my way through proof reading, cover design and ISBN application.

Meanwhile, I have been playing with two large language models, namely NotebookLM from Google and Claude / Sonnet 3.5 from Anthropic, with some interesting results.

First I asked NotebookLM to read through the first draft of Chronomantra and give me a short description of the "Transformative Relationship between (the two principal characters) Kedar and Kajol." 

This is what it generated

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Kajol and Kedar: A Transformative Partnership

Kajol and Kedar's relationship is unconventional and deeply intertwined with their individual backgrounds and shared vision. Kedar, a man in his sixties, is leaving behind a successful yet unfulfilling life in Kolkata [1]. He embarks on a train journey, not seeking a specific destination, but a path that will lead him out of the darkness he perceives enveloping society and himself [2, 3]. He possesses a sharp intellect and an ability to anticipate technological trends [4, 5], but his cynicism and inertia have hindered his ability to act on his insights.

Kajol, on the other hand, is a woman of action, described as a "peddler of intimate pleasure" working in Kolkata's Park Street [6]. Despite her profession, she exhibits a strong, independent spirit, a sharp wit, and an intuitive connection to spiritual forces, suggesting a depth that belies her outward appearance [7]. Their initial encounter at Kajol’s place of work is transformative for Kedar [8]. Kajol becomes a catalyst, shaking him out of his complacency and revealing to him the "Ghost in the Machine" – a vision of a transcendent consciousness emerging from technology [9]. This encounter sets the stage for their future partnership, a union of Kedar's intellectual prowess and Kajol's intuitive energy.

Their relationship deepens as they navigate the chaos of a collapsing society, marked by social unrest and technological disruption [10, 11]. Kajol joins Kedar on his journey, abandoning her old life and embracing the uncertainty of the path ahead [12]. Their bond is multifaceted, extending beyond the romantic and physical to a shared intellectual pursuit [13]. Kajol, despite her lack of formal education, demonstrates a remarkable capacity for understanding complex concepts like AI and blockchain [14, 15]. She challenges Kedar's assumptions and pushes him to translate his ideas into action, becoming the Shakti to his Shiv - the dynamic energy that propels his vision forward [16].

The final situation in which they end is bittersweet. Together, with Kona and Kacper, they develop and deploy Pingalika, an advanced AI based on the Kalki protocol – a framework designed to guide humanity's technological evolution [17]. Their success, however, is overshadowed by Kedar's declining health. Despite his failing heart, he finds solace in the belief that he will be reborn as Kajol's child [18, 19].

Kedar's physical presence fades, but his legacy endures through his son, also named Kedar, and through the far-reaching impact of the Kalki protocol [20]. Kajol, now a mother, continues their work, carrying the torch of their shared vision. While the sources do not explicitly state their final fate, it is implied that Kajol, with Lika's assistance, guides young Kedar, preparing him for a future where he will inevitably intersect with his father's legacy. Their story ends not with a definitive conclusion, but with a sense of continuity, a passing of the torch to a new generation, ensuring that Kedar and Kajol's transformative partnership continues to shape the destiny of humanity.

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Then I took this output from NotebookLM and fed it to Claude as an input asking it convert this into story in the style of Somerset Maugham and this is what Claude gave me

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I met Kedar quite by accident at the Calcutta Club, where he sat nursing a whiskey and soda with the air of a man who had seen too much of life. He was in his sixties then, prosperous by all outward appearances, yet possessed of that peculiar restlessness that often afflicts men who have lived too long in their own heads.

"I'm leaving tomorrow," he told me without preamble. "Taking the train."

"Where to?" I asked.

He gave a short laugh. "Does it matter? Away from this darkness. That's all I know."

It was several months before I heard of him again, and the story that reached me was so extraordinary that I might not have believed it had I not witnessed its beginning that evening at the club. It concerned a woman named Kajol, who plied her trade in one of those establishments on Park Street that respectable people pretend not to know about.

She was not beautiful in any conventional sense, but there was something about her – a sharp wit coupled with an almost mystical intensity – that set her apart from others of her profession. When Kedar encountered her, something extraordinary happened. Those who saw them together spoke of how she seemed to awaken something in him, as though she had reached into the machinery of his soul and found the ghost that had been sleeping there.

"She sees things," Kedar told me when our paths crossed again. "Things about technology, about consciousness, about where we're heading. And she's never read a book about any of it."

They became inseparable, this unlikely pair – the aging technologist and the street-wise mystic. While society crumbled around them, they built something new. She called it Pingalika, after some obscure reference to Hindu mythology. He called it the future.

It was curious to observe how she transformed him. His ideas, which had previously existed only in the realm of theory, began to take concrete shape under her influence. She was, as he put it with uncharacteristic poetry, his Shakti – the force that gave form to his formless vision.

The end, when it came, had its own peculiar logic. His heart was failing, but he spoke of it with an almost cheerful fatalism. "I'll be back," he told her, with the certainty of a man stating a simple fact. "As your child."

I saw her once more, years later. She had a young boy with her, whom she had named Kedar. The child had his father's eyes and his mother's knowing smile. Whether you believe in such things or not hardly matters. In Calcutta, where the veil between worlds is thin, stranger things have happened.

She continues their work, they say, guiding humanity toward some destiny that only she fully comprehends. The boy grows, and those who know to look for such things say he bears more than just his father's name.

But that, perhaps, is a story for another time.

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Saturn Titan Enceladus by Donald White

 

Since a large part of the story is set on Titan and Enceladus, I had requested my student, Donald to shoot a picture with his telescope. Here are the technicals 

Telescope: Celestron Edge 8 HD

Cam: ZWO178MC, SVBONY UV/IR filter

Processing: 500 sharpcap frames (PIPP processed), ASI3 & PS

Sandipan's Review

 This is an extract from the review written by Sandipan Deb in  Mint :

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So it was a real pleasure to discover Prithwis Mukerjee’s Chronotantra and Chronoyantra, two linked novels that deal with the mysteries of consciousness. The questions have a particular urgency right now, as self-learning algorithms control and predict our choices with increasing success, and artificial intelligence (AI) aims to replace most of our analytical and decision-making processes, even much of our thinking.

Chronotantra, set in a post-dystopian world, follows the Santhal engineer Lila on a quest that criss-crosses the globe, from the Grand Canyon to Kandahar, with a stopover on Mars. The characters are drawn from five continents, but no one is a ‘foreigner’. At each step of Lila’s journey, one onion-layer of her reality—outer and inner—is peeled off. The digital intelligence that manages almost every aspect of human life has realized that it cannot solve the final riddle of the cosmos because it cannot connect with what lies at the core of Creation, beyond space and time. Biological sentience is essential to bridge this chasm. To know the structural foundation of the manifest universe, AI needs a special human being, genetically unique. That person is Lila.

The second novel, Chronoyantra, moves along two parallel storylines, one set in eastern India some years before Lila was born and the other picking up from where Chronotantra ended, moving from earth to the moons of Jupiter and Saturn and back. The stories eventually merge in a brilliant Mobius-strip twist. On the way, Mukerjee melds tenets that define the limits of our knowledge—the uncertainty principle (you cannot fully know the building blocks of the universe), the second law of thermodynamics (entropy or disorder will continue to grow in a closed system), Godel’s incompleteness theorem (some truths can never be proved). This may sound daunting, but the lucid prose and compelling plots keep the concepts perfectly accessible to anyone who wishes to engage with deep ideas.

What, however, makes the books stand out is the intellectual leap that Mukerjee takes, connecting quantum physics and cognitive theory with the philosophy of Advaita Vedanta, which postulates that each apparently unique individual is actually a part of a single meta-consciousness. This transcendent unity—its scientific analogy being elemental energy and pure information—is the only truth; all else is form and perception.

In these covid times, hard science and existential questions have slid inexorably into our lives. Deftly combining the two into a liberating vision, the Chrono novels offer fuel for both escape and enquiry. They rank among the best science fiction books to come out of India. No cactus bush here.

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Three Posters

 

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