This novel explores the effects a malevolent software meme has on Artificial Intelligence and on the Synarche, a galactic society comprised of hundreds of alien races and including Artificial Sentience. The quick spread of the virus takes by surprise the staff of a galactic hospital which is run by AI and by organic beings with artificial implants which can also be infected. The ramifications of a virus infestation of a galactic scale are very well explored and are food for thought. I also found it interesting how the Synarche considers organic and Artificial life equal (except that AI have to pay for the price of their creation by working) in rights and in wrongs. AI can also be reported for crimes. Also, as the story involves the rescue of an ancient human generation ship we are able compare old humans' mindset with the synarche's advanced way of thinking. At the same time we question the synarche's use of "rightminding" in their citizens to correct sociopathies and any way of thinking which threatens their society. We realise that rightminding can be used as a way for social control and brainwashing but the synarche's citizens see it too?
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