BKSTRSWM.RVW    990110

"Starswarm", Jerry Pournelle, 1998, 0-312-86183-4, U$23.95/C$33.95
%A   Jerry Pournelle
%C   175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY  10010
%D   1998
%G   0-312-86183-4
%I   Tor Books/Tom Doherty Assoc.
%O   U$23.95/C$33.95 pnh@tor.com www.tor.com
%P   349 p.
%T   "Starswarm"

"Starswarm" is a book of juvenile science fiction.  As can be
expected, the plotting is fairly simplistic, the ending abrupt, and
the characterizations pretty much glossed over.  However, in the
introduction, Pournelle notes, and attributes to Robert Heinlein, the
idea that in juvenile fiction one can do more teaching than in adult
fiction.

The book postulates an ecology based around, and run by, intelligent
entities formed of aggregate creatures.  An interesting means of
communication is proposed between individual creatures.  (It makes
sense in the case of those confined to lakes, but less so in the case
of ocean based forms of the same ... species?)  Environmentalism is a
weak subsidiary theme.  Some explanation of the complexity of
ecological interactions is given, but a number of opportunities for
fuller development are abandoned.

Most of the plot turns on the existence of an artificially intelligent
program, and on communications.  In these areas, the book is extremely
weak.

First there is data security.  The AI program has presumably been
designed by a very able computer scientist.  However, once running, it
manages to evade detection for at least ten years.  True, it is hiding
in plain sight, as it were, masquerading as a virus protection
program.  (You don't update your antiviral in more than ten years?) 
Then again, having successfully hidden for ten years, the first time
anyone suspects something is wrong, the program is identified almost
instantly.  There is a backup on earth, but in ten years the program
has not managed either to penetrate security monitors (which it must
have had access to at a fairly high level originally) not copied
itself to other local machines as a backup or for greater protection
against detection.

Ultimately the detection is made because of a single transmission,
picked out of what have to be an enormous number.  While this
detection is improbable in itself, there is no recognition of
differences in bandwidth that could have allowed the transmission to
be made with almost no chance of detection at all.

Dealing with the alien entities is also problematic.  While the
entities have been under intense scrutiny for more than ten years, a
chance observation of flashing lights not only reveals their nature,
but also provides a translation of their language, all in one go.  The
aliens themselves are phenomenally intelligent, being able to dissect
an object to the molecular level, understand its purpose, and
replicate an improved version within hours.

As everyone reading this series knows, it is unrealistic to expect
technical accuracy from fictional works, let alone juvenile fiction. 
However, it seems that Heinlein and Pournelle's thesis is equally
divorced from reality.

copyright Robert M. Slade, 1999   BKSTRSWM.RVW    990110