Rainbows End (Vinge novel)

Did You Know?

• The novel examines the implications of rapid technological change that empowers both disgruntled individuals and those who would stop them.
• It addresses the 'who watches the watchers' issue at the interplay between surveillance and sousveillance.
• Vinge had ideas for a sequel that would pick up loose threads from the novel.

Plot summary

Robert Gu, a former poet with a mean-spirited personality, is slowly recovering from Alzheimer's disease through advances in medical technology. As his faculties return, the technophobic Robert must adapt to a world where almost every object is networked and mediated-reality technology is commonplace. He also must learn to change and rebuild relationships with his estranged family. Robert and his granddaughter Miri become drawn into a complex plot involving a traitorous intelligence officer, an intellect of possibly superhuman competence hiding behind an anthropomorphic rabbit avatar, and a new mind control technology.

In this world, augmented reality is dominant, with humans using smart clothing for gesture recognition and contact lenses that overlay computer graphics via virtual retinal display. Haptic feedback is possible by overlaying graphics onto physical machines. Augmented reality serves commercial purposes, such as large gaming areas with haptics; functional uses, like providing maintenance workers with schematics; communication through live video chat and 'silent messages' called 'sming'; and medical applications, giving doctors access to vital signs.

The Cheapnet, a free entry-level service, can coordinate augmented reality globally but suffers from jitter and latency over long distances. Robert Gu develops an algorithm that partially compensates for these deficiencies and might allow inclusion of haptics.