Finished Slow Gods recently and the architect ‘hyperspace’ creepiness similarities to the Architect books struck me also, very different books though. I’ve been re-reading Excession recently as I miss Iain M and it’s my favourite Minds focussed culture novel.

Was discussing this with a mate in the pub, how AI will NEVER be able to have this kind of abstract absurdism coded in. My example was the cadburys gorilla ad ( by the same agency responsible for the kfc ad) there’s hope for us humans yet… pretty niche hope but hope nonetheless!

Oh, there you are, what took you so long?

Also half way through, love the variation throughout the series, more of a sci fi head than a fantasy fan and came to this from his sci fi books, love em all! Round of applause and hat thrown in air!