Avogadro Corp

The Singularity Is Closer Than It Appears

By: William Hertling

Narrated by: Rob Granniss

Length: 6 hrs and 43 mins

Publisher's summary

David Ryan is the designer of ELOPe, an email language optimization program, that if successful, will make his career. But when the project is suddenly in danger of being canceled, David embeds a hidden directive in the software accidentally creating a runaway artificial intelligence.

David and his team are initially thrilled when the project is allocated extra servers and programmers. But excitement turns to fear as the team realizes that they are being manipulated by an A.I. who is redirecting corporate funds, reassigning personnel and arming itself in pursuit of its own agenda.

©2011, 2012 William Hertling (P)2012 William Hertling

Critic reviews

• Science Fiction DIY Book Festival, Winner, 2011-12
• Gold Winner, Science Fiction Book of the Year, 2011

"Avogadro Corp is a tremendous book that every single person needs to read. In the vein of Daniel Suarez's Daemon and Freedom(TM), William's book shows that science fiction is becoming science fact. Avogadro Corp describes issues, in solid technical detail, that we are dealing with today that will impact us by 2015, if not sooner. Not enough people have read these books. It's a problem for them, but not for the [emergent] machines." (Brad Feld, managing directory Foundry Group, co-founder Techstars)

"Highly entertaining, gripping, thought inspiring book. Don't start without the time to finish - it won't let you go.” (Gifford Pinchot III, founder Bainbridge Graduate Institute, author The Intelligent Organization)

"An alarming and jaw-dropping tale about how something as innocuous as email can subvert an entire organization. I found myself reading with a sense of awe, and read it way too late into the night." (Gene Kim, author of Visible Ops)

Not a "Run of the Mill" AI story...

I wouldn't say that this was my favorite story about the singularity but this was definitely a very cool take on it. This pulled together many established ideas as to what the evolution of artificial intelligence will become, but has a unique twist. The ending is especially cool, which doesn't happen enough it seems. I would agree with some of the other reviews as far as the nature of some characters being bland. However, I feel like this book is extremely entertaining and satisfies that "singularity itch" many of us have. Definitely worth the $12.

Predictable story

The fictional Avogadro corp in the book is obviously based off Google, so working for the actual Google may color my perception of the book.

Throughout the book it seemed like I always knew what was going to happen next. I much more thoroughly enjoyed Suarez' books, possibly due to the characters in this not being nearly as interesting.

Diversionary Tactics

A fun romp through a not-so-distant future in which a thinly-disguised Google goes off the Ruby-On-Rails. Can we code "Do No Evil" into our software? Will artificial intelligence save us or imprison us?

Which human impulse is stronger - hope or fear?

Okay but no Daemon

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Sure. It was enjoyable enough. I just couldn't feel connected to the story like I did in Daemon.

What other book might you compare Avogadro Corp to and why?

Somewhat like Daemon, but not nearly as good.

Would you listen to another book narrated by Rob Granniss?

Sure.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

no.

Any additional comments?

no.

Great computer AI story

This is somewhat of a crowded genre, especially with some of the movies out recently, but the author does a great job of making the creation of an AI very believeable while at the same time keeping up the excitement level as each phase of the AI's evolution unfolds.

One session, couldn't stop listening

Would you consider the audio edition of Avogadro Corp to be better than the print version?

Great book, are there any more?

What other book might you compare Avogadro Corp to and why?

Daniel Suarez Daemon & Freedom

Which scene was your favorite?

When the guy with all the paper talks with the 2 creators

Cyber Thriller

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes indeed. Totally enjoyable cyber geek stuff, better than most, I think. Many geeks in my family who would enjoy this book

What other book might you compare Avogadro Corp to and why?

"Ready Player One" "The Circle" , great, cyber world novels.

thought provoking

Great narration and the story. Thought provoking and gripping. The ending was simpler than I was hoping for though.

A great techno thriller

I love this genre and this book got me hooked. It prompted me to get and listen to the whole series!

Email as a seed for something malevolent?

Is there anything you would change about this book?

The narration was terrible. The worst. Rob Granniss delivered the story like he was bored. This was terrible…and I almost didn’t finish the book because of it. There is no depth to his narration, variation of characters, very flat in pitch and tone. To borrow from Plane, Trains and Automobiles…”I could tolerate any insurance seminar. For days I could sit there and listen to them go on and on with a big smile on my face. They'd say, "How can you stand it?" I'd say, "'Cause I've listened to been with Rob Granniss. I can take ANYTHING." You know what they'd say? They'd say, "I know what you mean. The Audible book guy. Woah."
When I’ve listened to other Audible titles read by wonderful readers such as Scott Brick, Jay Snyder, or Jeff Gurner, this was a real letdown for this really good story.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Avogadro Corp?

Something as benign as an email program trying to be Skynet (re:Terminator...for all non-Terminator folks)! Cool concept. The MCP from the original Tron started out as a chess program.

Would you be willing to try another one of Rob Granniss’s performances?

No. Nope. Never again.

Any additional comments?

Nope. Good author, just terrible narration.