Science Fiction

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Lemmy World Rules

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Any sci-fi with aliens where humans are not the less advanced race? (lemmings.world)

submitted 1 year ago by rikudou@lemmings.world to c/sciencefiction@lemmy.world

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What the title says, I'm tired of the trope where humans are the least advanced in the universe.

I'd like to read something different where we're the more advanced ones (not necessarily the most advanced). As an example I quite enjoyed the Ender's Game sequels and the angle of us being the more advanced ones was quite interesting.

Do you have any recommendations?

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[–] WarlockFighter@lemmy.world 23 points 1 year ago (2 children)

The Culture series, Iain M banks.

Humana are part of the culture (although it is AI dominated) which is considered one of the most advanced groups in the setting.

[–] Someology@lemmy.world 4 points 1 year ago

Came to recommend this. In Ian M Banks' Culture series, the main "Culture" are quite advanced, indeed with post-scarcity living and guardian AIs possible. We see "The Culture" working to subtly recruit less advanced civilizations and modernize them.

[–] rikudou@lemmings.world 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Thanks!

[–] PsychedSy@sh.itjust.works 4 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Seconding, thirding and fourthing the Culture novels. One for each time I read the series.

[–] echodot@feddit.uk 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Is there a reading order that's recommended because I find getting into the first book very difficult.

[–] PsychedSy@sh.itjust.works 3 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

I read in order of publication. Maybe try Player of Games. Use of Weapons is fantastic, but is also a bit odd. The best ones involve ship minds IMO. As much as I love UoW, I kinda read the first books trying to get to the later ones. Either way, you won't be missing much by skipping Phlebas. There are a few call backs in the series but most of the books are more or less independent. Phlebas being one of the most independent other than maybe inversions.