📚心得【All Tomorrows】 by Nemo Ramjet aka C. M. Kosemen, 2006
#末日後 #轉瞬億年 #基因編程 #編年體敘事
這本經典原本是丟在網路角落的連載故事，後來作者統整成pdf後免費供大家閱讀。書的篇幅不長，只有約110頁，比《Chrysalis》還要短一些。一直以來，人們都稱讚它是「人類離開地球後，過了一個世代就變成外星人」的先驅之一，這點我覺得非常點睛。
整部作品讀起來就像一本虛構的未來史書，完全沒有人物對話，只有冷靜客觀的敘述，描寫在遙遠的未來，「人類」如何進行星球殖民、與外星種族交流，以及文明起起落落的整個過程。可能因為作者是土耳其人，在歷史長河中經歷過許多朝代更迭、戰爭和入侵，所以他擅長寫這種「被侵略後，勝者留下痕跡」的故事。
故事的時間跨度非常龐大，從人類剛開始進行星球殖民、對自己基因編程，再到被外星種族Qu滅亡殆盡、改造為無智慧的生物，然後又痛苦地重新演化出智慧，最後在內戰後被其中一支「外星人類」統一，整個過程跌宕起伏、反覆無常，幾乎是走三步退兩步。文明似乎總是在進步與倒退中掙扎，但只要不被完全滅絕，人類就依然會慢慢爬回星空。說是勵志嗎，我覺得只要是智慧生物，數量複製到一定程度，想拓展生活圈與能力也許是本性吧。
書中的種族中，最吸引我的是Colonial→Modular People這個支線，雖然沒有Spacers→Asteromorphs→Space Gods與Ruin Haunters→Gravitals→The New Machines兩者發展的強大或順利，但從因最頑強反抗Qu、被以折磨為目殘酷地降改為食用Qu排泄物的菌群，到逐漸分工演化出一個個可拆卸的「分工器官城鎮」，還可以離開「城鎮」去另一個群體工作，這想法實在太酷了。
作者用了很多自創的學名來描述這些未來生物和物種，有些是基於簡單的拉丁字根，稍微查一下就能理解他的想像力。除此之外，書中的英文用詞都很淺顯易懂，沒有過分的修飾或複雜的語句，閱讀起來非常輕鬆。
總結來說，《All Tomorrows》是一部充滿野心和創意的作品，它以宏大的未來視野展示了智慧生命的興衰與掙扎，思想和想象力讓人眼界大開！
Image by LinoLinadoon from Furaffinity.net
IMO總分：77分，喜歡想像平行世界的人類演化者不可錯過的經典佳作。
核心思想：★★★★★ 核心討論議題是否有趣*5
劇情細節：★★★☆☆ 綜觀整體劇情的質與量*4
角色刻畫：★★★★☆ 角色群的必要性與深度*3
科學軟硬：★★☆☆☆ 是否符合現實物理現象*3
結局滿意：★★★★☆ 結局滿意度與有無餘韻*3
易讀程度：★★★★★ 閱讀時章節是否難消化*2
#Post_Apocalyptic #Eons_in_Instant #Genetic_Engineering #Chronological_Narrative
This classic was originally a serialized story buried in the corners of the internet. Later, the author compiled it into a PDF for free public reading. The book isn't very long—only about 110 pages, slightly shorter than Chrysalis . People have praised it as one of the pioneers that portray "humans leaving Earth and evolving into aliens after just one generation." I find this description spot-on.
The entire work reads like a fictional future history book, with no character dialogues—just calm and objective narration. It describes how "humans" colonize planets in the distant future, interact with alien species, and experience the rise and fall of civilizations. Perhaps because the author is Turkish, having witnessed numerous dynasties, wars, and invasions throughout history, they excel at writing stories about being conquered and leaving behind traces for the victors.
The story spans an enormous timeframe—from humanity's early planetary colonization and genetic engineering to their near-extermination by the alien species Qu, transformation into mindless organisms, and eventual painful re-evolution of intelligence. Then, after a civil war, they are unified by one branch of "alien humans." The narrative is full of ups and downs, almost taking three steps forward for every two back. Civilizations seem to struggle between progress and regression, but as long as extinction isn't complete, humanity keeps crawling back toward the stars. Is this inspiring? I think it's more about the nature of sentient beings—once their numbers reach a certain point, expanding their living spaces and abilities might just be instinctual.
What draws me most to the book is the generation line of Colonial → Modular People. While other branches like Spacers → Asteromorphs → Space Gods and Ruin Haunters → Gravitals → The New Machines have more grand or successful developments, this one stands out for its sheer coolness. Starting from their brutal resistance against Qu, being horribly tortured into becoming mat colonies that feeds on Qu's waste, to gradually dividing and evolving into "specialized organ towns" that can even detach and move to other groups for work—this idea is just too freaking cool!
The author uses a lot of made-up scientific terms to describe these future organisms and species. Many are based on simple Latin roots, so with a quick lookup, you can grasp the imaginative concepts behind them. Additionally, the English vocabulary in the book is straightforward and easy to understand, without overly elaborating or complicated sentence structures, making it a breeze to read.
In summary, 《All Tomorrows》 is a bold and creative work that offers a sweeping view of the rise and fall of intelligent life with its struggles and aspirations. Its ideas and imagination are mind-blowing!
Image by LinoLinadoon from Furaffinity.net
IMO Rating: 77. For fans of imagining parallel evolution of humanity, this is a must-read classic.
Core Theme: ★★★★★ (*5)
Plot Quality: ★★★☆☆ (*4)
Character Development: ★★★★☆ (*3)
Science Validity: ★★☆☆☆ (*3)
Ending Satisfaction: ★★★★☆ (*3)
Readability: ★★★★★ (*2)
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