I actually kinda loved that humans birthed AI that were essentially human complete with disagreements, arguments on how to proceed, and even wars between each other. I loved that when the technocore found hardcore proof of another artificial intelligence different from their own they collectively crapped their pants the same way humanity would if they found proof of an alien race.

Thats one of the beauties of Hyperion; the Technocore isnt a Skynet that wants to kill/enslave humanity. It has 3 factions and each have their own ideas and act and confront each other upon them

_"Of course, machines can’t think “as human beings do.” A machine is different from a human being; hence, it would think differently."_ _"The interesting question is, just because something thinks differently from you, does that mean it’s not thinking?"_ _"We allow that humans have such divergences from one another, you like strawberries, I hate ice-skating, you cry at sad films, I’m allergic to pollen. What does it mean to have different tastes, different preferences, other than to say that our brains work differently? That we think differently from one another? And if we can say that about each another, why can’t we say the same for brains made of copper and steel?"_ Alan Turing (The Imitation Game)

The last time I was this early Dune was still going to premier in theaters in 2020.

I implore anyone interested in exploring the Cantos to consider that it's so good, you may not be able to enjoy another sci-fi story for a long while after. Proceed with caution.

Well this is well timed for me.

After my first read of the cantos I found I couldn’t start another book for quite some time and I normally read a book a week. It really affected me deeply. Truely a masterpiece.

Dude. I can't thank you enough for getting me into the Hyperion series. I read all 4 within a week. Came here for the Dune, stayed here for the thoughtful and in-depth content.

I recently finished this series. Top shelf sci-fi.

The Technocore is an interesting concept. That being said, I would expect AIs that "evolved" on their own to be even more alien than that (I mean Peter Watts levels of alien). On the opposite side of the spectrum would be an AI designed to mimic the human intellect. For such an AI, there would be no reason to be particularly "cold and calculating". After all, the material that makes up a complex system doesn't affect its emergent properties as much as the interactions between its components. Carbon atoms aren't any more empathetic than silicon atoms ;)

Hi Quinn, so great to see you covering The Dan Simmons Hyperion cantos. Just wanted to say your fan base includes not just youngsters but older fans of scifi I read Dune when I was 17, reread it recently thanks to your inspiration I'm 62, the Movie will be the high spot of the year. I reread Dan Simmons this year and I really like your essays on him. If you haven't already seen it Simmons published an article in the science journal Nature talking about the ideas behind quantum teleportation, an idea used mainly in the Illium and Olympos series. He also covers the idea that imagination plays a part in creating alternative worlds, an idea he uses in the cantos, an author literally imagining worlds into being, hence his many literary allusions. I'm sure the Catholic ritual aspect of the story especially in the ENDYMION books has not escaped your notice. Catholic theology and ritual is important for a full appreciation of the hyperion cantos, imo. Btw we all hate what Warner Brothers is doing to you. I just wanted to say that you've brought me great joy with your intelligent and thoughtful commentary, always great to listen to and always awesomely well informed. Keep doing what you do. And read the Book of the New Sun, by Gene Wolfe Id love to hear your take on that. From a top Quinn fan Thank you

The Technocore are one of sci-fi's greatest villians.

I really like the idea that somehow AI would be like us in the sense that it too was complex, nuanced, and non-monolithic.

Makes me wonder if emotion isn't essential to consciousness or sentience. The stresses that give rise to mutations that are occasionally beneficial being emotional in nature. The ultimate expression of linear time being self-awareness. The unifying theory of time matter and energy.

Never heard of Hyperion before today. Your video is a shot of pure lore straight in the arm. I'm addicted

I loved all 4 books. The 3rd and 4th book were different than the first two, but I kind of just accepted it as a different epic in the same universe that wanted to utilize different themes and ideas. Probably my favorite series of all time.

Start going into Iain M Banks please , I miss that guys books

This is one of my favorite passages from Endymion: On Sol Draconi Septem, Father Glaucus talks to Aenea and A. Bettik about Teihard de Chardin and the Techno Core: >> “A monitum is a warning against uncritical acceptance of his ideas,” said Father Glaucus. “And Teilhard did not say that human beings would become God … he said that the entire conscious universe was part of a process of evolving toward the day-he called it the Omega Point-where all of creation, humanity included, would become one with the Godhead.” “Would Teilhard have included the TechnoCore in that evolution?” Aenea asked softly. She was hugging her knees. The blind priest stopped rocking and combed his fingers through his beard. “Teilhardian scholars have wrestled with that for centuries, my dear. I am no scholar, but I am certain that he would have included the Core in his optimism.” “But they are descended from machines,” said A. Bettik. “And their concept of an Ultimate Intelligence is quite different from Christianity’s-a cold, dispassionate mind, a predictive power able to absorb all variables.” Father Glaucus was nodding. “But they think, my son. Their earliest self-conscious progenitors were designed from living DNA-” “Designed from DNA to compute,” I said, appalled at the thought of Core machines being given the benefit of the doubt when it came to souls. “And what was our DNA designed to do for the first few hundred million years, my son? Eat? Kill? Procreate? Were we any less ignoble in our beginnings than the pre-Hegira silicon and DNA-based AIs? As Teilhard would have it, it is consciousness which God has created to accelerate the universe’s self-awareness as a means to understanding His will.” “The TechnoCore wanted to use humanity as part of its UI project,” I said, “and then to destroy us.” “But it did not,” said Father Glaucus. “No thanks to the Core,” I said. “Humanity has evolved-as far as it has evolved,” continued the old priest, “with no thanks to its predecessors or itself. Evolution brings human beings. Human beings, through a long and painful process, bring humanity.” “Empathy,” Aenea said softly. Father Glaucus turned his blind eyes in her direction. “Precisely, my dear. But we are not the only avatars of humanity. Once our computing machines achieved self-consciousness, they became part of this design. They may resist it. They may try to undo it for their own complex purposes. But the universe continues to weave its own design.” “You make the universe and its processes sound like a machine,” I said. “Programmed, unstoppable, inevitable.” The old man shook his head slowly. “No, no … never a machine. And never inevitable. If Christ’s coming taught us anything, it is that nothing is inevitable. The outcome is always in doubt. Decisions for light or dark are always ours to make-ours and every conscious entity’s.” “But Teilhard thought that consciousness and empathy would win?” said Aenea. Father Glaucus waved a bony hand at the bookcase behind her. “There should be a book there … on the third shelf … it had a blue bookmark in it when last I looked, thirty-some years ago. Do you see it?” “The Journals, Notebooks, and Correspondences of Teilhard de Chardin?” said Aenea. “Yes, yes. Open it to where the blue bookmark is. Do you see the passage I have annotated? It is one of the last things these old eyes saw before the darkness closed.…” “The entry marked twelve December, 1919?” said Aenea. “Yes. Read it, please.” Aenea held the book closer to the light of the fire. “ ‘Note this well,’ ” she read. “ ‘I attribute no definitive and absolute value to the various constructions of man. I believe that they will disappear, recast in a new whole that we cannot yet conceive. At the same time I admit that they have an essential provisional role-that they are necessary, inevitable phases which we (we or the race) must pass through in the course of our metamorphosis. What I love in them is not their particular form, but their function, which is to build up, in some mysterious way, first something divinizable-and then, through the grace of Christ alighting on our effort, something divine.’ “ There was a moment of silence broken only by the soft hiss of the fuel-pellet fire and the creak and groan of the tens of millions of tons of ice above and around us. Finally Father Glaucus said, “That hope was Teilhard’s heresy in the eyes of the current Pope. Belief in that hope was my great sin. This”- he gestured to the outer wall where ice and darkness pressed against the glass-“this is my punishment.” None of us spoke for another moment.

Your series on Hyperion has been so good that it's prompting me to read the books again.

So glad you're sharing this story, Quinn. Great video. Brings back memories of ordering actual CDs of the audiobooks back in the day. First one got me hooked then got the whole set. Must have re-listened at least 5 times to the whole set over the years. That's rare for me. If made into a movie, my hope is that it will land in capable hands.

One of the most fascinating questions in this already fascinating book. Love your Hyperion content !

I am seriously happy that you are showing such love for these wondrous books. :)

Just finished the first two books of the Cantos. Such a unique piece of literary sci fi!!! I always enjoy your videos! It’s obvious that you love these works and I couldn’t be more happy!

I just finished the first book in the Cantos, gotta say this might be my favorite of the Hyperion/Dune/Foundation trifecta

I have always had an issue with the Farcaster technology, how could humanity not figure out how it was working. I know the TechnoCore was probably using its resources to keep it a secret, but surely some group outside of the Web could have built its own Farcaster system. Yes, I am familiar with Aenea's discovery that the system was not really needed to farcast, but surely after thousands of years someone would have thought to create a backup system just out of paranoia.

Quinn, I absolutely adore your content as I am a huge fan of all the stuff you cover already. Plus, I've actually discovered new content because of this channel. Low, is a good example. Keep up the good work!!

I started watching you for your GoT commentary, and stayed aboard because of your passionate appreciation of for classic scifi. I'm currently embedded in the Hyperion Cantos series because of you, and this trickle of content from you is a welcome lubricant to my imagination. Thanks.

This is one of my favorite channels on KZfaq, I even bought Hyperion because of this channel such epic series.

I love your intro music. There is something special about it.

What's up Quinn? I just discovered your channel and am now subscribed. Great content man! It's really interesting to me. I love all the Sci-Fi stories about the cosmos. Keep up the great work!

Great content as always, Quinn.

I began reading the Dune series because of your Leto video. I also began reading the Hyperion series because of your Shrike video. Will probably start the foundation soon. Keep up the great work and content Quinn!

Darn good video man, got goosebumps and have to read those books now !

You know I'm playing mass effect legendary trilogy and one thing that bugs me is that the writers themselves seem covinced that ai and organic life are destined to kill each other, even if their very own game proves that this isn't the case. Then when there are positive stories, it seems that the ai become a benevelont god capable of creating universes or almost spirit beings. Maybe an ai would just be, and be differnet.

So you have me reading the Hyperion books and I really appreciate your in depth explanations of it. BTW, you are graced with a true gift of language.

Loving the Hyperion videos. Read the books years ago. So great to see it pop up on my feed

i love that you are talking about this! it was such an intersting concept when i read it

re-reading this series now :D thanks for the content!

Amazing video! Hope you have a good day Quinn!

Really enjoy your channel man. Please keep making great content.

My dude, I LOVE your videos! Cheers!

On my 2nd readthru and loving these videos!

Quinn, I just wanted to say that I love your channel and I think you do a great job.

Hey Quinn I just gotta hand it to you man, I don't know if it's the music, the cadence of your speech, or the tone of your voice, but you just have a way of making shit feel really epic.

love your videos mate - top of the line content.

An Hyperion adaptation should be an animated series. To be live-action, it would have to be VERY high budget to truly capture the scope of the Hegemony universe.

Awesome video! 💜

Excellent wrap, thank you very much! 😎👍

Man, you should voice books on tape or start your own ASMR channel. I'd gladly listen to you.

Keep these great videos coming

I gotta say the clips you found are just *chefs kiss"

Loved the video! Glad ur spreading the hyperion love. One thing though. At the end u made it sound like only the volatile elements of the core were using human brains to live. But wasn't that how the whole core was able to run? They used human brain cells that were using farcasters to function and when Gladstone destroyed the farcaster net, it essentially destroyed most the core. Could be wrong though, it's been a long time since I read the books

Love your videos!!

Very cool Quinn !!!!

Your videos are so good!!! Just subbed*

I'm loving all of this Hyperion content.

Excellent Quinn - really great work. I am a big fan of the Hyperion Cantos. The Technorecore is a powerful and mysterious element that you have examined really well. How about a comment on the spiritual religious elements and the focus on the philosophy of the Catholic Anthropologist Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, whose book The Phenomenon of Man attempted to merge evolution with Catholic theology via an evolutionary process expressed as Lithosphere (the physical world), Biosphere (the world with life) and Noosphere (the world with consciousness) towards an Omega Point which is God and therefore able to back-project itself to start creation. His philosophy is the key component for good in the series. The Phenomenon of Man was one of my Father's (a World Ward 2 bomber veteran) favourite books and even got a mention from the American Bishop at Harry and Meghan's wedding - the most interesting and relevant part of the whole event! I thoroughly recommend de Chardin's work. Thanks again Stephen

Thank you so much for your videos. I found your channel today and I love it. Although I am German I understand your explanations very well. And I am so Glas that you speak about Dan Simmons and Lovecraft. Greetings from Germany 😊

Yes!! These are my favorite videos of yours! Not much into Dune tbh, but these Hyperion videos made me buy the books!!

I just started reading the first book. I'm already hooked.

Please keep doing videos on the cantos I'm on the last book and I wish I would have discovered it sooner. It was buy your videos I started reading it and I love it

Thanks for another great video. 😀

1991: You won the internet. 2030: You won the All Thing.

Great video - excellent discourse and needs to be examined as AI grows in our society

Awesome. I feel inspired to buy the second book!

Good episode.

This video was all kinds of amazing. And also where do you get that awesome music that you add in your videos?

I just got into reading this after seeing stuff about it on your channel, so thanks.

I’ve never subscribed to a channel so fast.

I recall reading about Thomas Ray's Tierra experiment back in the 90s.

Bless you with what ever gods will you see fit. Im writing my own novel and your video are pure gold

I am currently listening to the excellent audiobooks for the 5th time :)

Great job

Sorry Quinn, I would love to watch this video but I'm on the third novel.

Sigh...there are so many books to read! Beautifully presented!

BRAND NEW?? BRO!! YES!! YOU RULE!!

I love this book series so much 🤩

this channel is awesome

I started the series after seeing the cruciform video and now I'm 2/3rds of the way through book 4. Easily one of the best sci-fi series I've ever read

Quinn. My man. Thank you.

What do ya do for a living bud? Your analysis and voice is so nice to listen to. It isn't like most narrative/radio voices...but is unique and great to listen to. Have you done a video, or livestream, about yourself yet? I am curious about your childhood...and about how you got into fiction, and your other hobbies? Just sorta interested...Keep up the great work! Do not worry about/chase after views...The KZfaq algorithms are irrational...So just keep making the content you like to make! "IF YOU BUILD IT..THEY WILL COME!....eventually." :D Take care of yourself !!

The Techno Core & the UI are a great villian for the series. When I first read the series it was an interesting heel turn.

Can you do some reviews of the Culture series by Iian M. Banks? I really enjoyed them, r.i.p.

TY for doing Hyperion Quinn!!! i loved the series.. curious if you have ever read Burn Zone or Fall Out by James K Decker?

hopefully , this will be a series someday

Who hooo new vid

To me, the background music means "Dune". Seems strange when used for Hyperion.

It’s thematically powerful that most people’s (consumers) drive for instant gratification is their undoing, via their dependence upon an infernal machine even when ignorant of such dependency and addiction. In contrast, people willing to adapt to the World, and not the other way around as the instant gratifiers, fare much better.

i like your new intro

Remember everyone, like AFTER you watch because it pleases the algorithm the most

My guy 💪🏿

nice video

Opening riff is pretty sick

This made me think about the war with The Men of Iron in the Warhanmer 40,000 Universe. It can be argued that the AI that initiated the conflict and attempted to eradicate man wasn't evil at all. AI in 40k comes to the realization that Chaos exists, and reasons the only way to destroy Chaos is to remove its food souce... sentient life.

Such a criminally overlooked series it's easily up there with Dune and Star Wars

A.I. is scary! Westworld, Battlestar Galactica, Terminator, and Dune, all caused me some Anxiety! Especially while we are still at species level 0! I’m going to have to the Hyperion saga!

These books are a bridge for scifi readers into classic literature -- and vice versa. Reading Chaucer and Keats beforehand enriches things.

All bow to the AI god masquerading as the KZfaq algorithm.

I really like the idea that at least part of the story is the Technocore collectively reacting to the total disappearance of Earth. Like they don’t just shrug and move on because they’re so advanced, they’re worried. If, for no other reason, than it’s something they didn’t know could happen and it’s a potential threat to them.

4:36 The moment when you realize Mass Effect was influenced by Hyperion...