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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r/HFY has a plethora of such (short) stories. HFY stands for Humanity Fuck Yeah. Sadly I am yet to find an active HFY community/magazine on lemmy/kbin
Hyperion by Dan Simmons
In most any Star Trek episode where the Prime Directive is relevant, the humans have encountered primitive (pre-warp) aliens. Usually, some disastrous problem has befallen the aliens that the humans’ technology can easily solve, and the humans must struggle to decide whether to help and bear the consequences (both legal and practical) of intervening, or leave the aliens to their fate as the Directive demands.
A Fire Upon the Deep
Will check it out, thanks!
Good recommendation indeed, the zones of thought are awesome. One of my all time favourites!
Seconded. In @[email protected] Brin’s series humans are basically the only race that managed to uplift themselves making them a galactic oddball.
I inspired myself to reread it. So far, I’m pleased with my own recommendation
Sounds interesting, will check it out. Thanks.
No sweat!
Thanks, will check it out!
Joe Haldeman - The Forever War
The ‘known space’ universe by Larry niven has humans at least as sort of equal. Lower than some life forms, but on par or higher than some.
I recommend starting with the ringworld series.
Warhammer 40k also has humans as a dominant species from what I’ve gathered. I’ve tried to get into the lore, but it’s massive amounts and no clear “start here” so Iv’e just picked up snippets.
The Horus Heresy cycle is a good way to start. It is 10 000 years before the “current” events in 40k and explains a lot. But it is in of itself a big pile of books. I would say, read the first 3 and then pick whichever book interests you next.
Looks like I can pick up a Boxset at my “local” comic book store. So in gonna do that on the weekend.
Is this a prequel that relies on any sort of knowledge before going in?
Forexample; in the known space universe the “juggler of worlds” is set before the events of the ringworld series. But it relies on previous knowledge about races and spaces, for it to be enjoyable :)
No, I think this is one if the best starting points overall. I hope you are going to enjoy it. 😀
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Project hail Mary was cool in the fact that it was just so… Different. Won’t say too much to avoid spoilers, but I think it’ll tick your boxes.
I highly recommend this book.
Loved that book.
Was just going to suggest this same book! Very interesting take on what makes for a “more advanced” species.
If you like things that are on the less serious side, the Humans Are Weird series by Betty Adams is hilarious, adorable, lighthearted, and fun. Usually written from the perspective of the various aliens, and she does a damn good job of it too. Been reading I Have the Data with friends, and it’s been a grand time
Academy series, by Jack McDevitt. Although there are more advanced species mentioned, they’ve all died off.
Alex Benedict series, by Jack McDevitt again. There’s only two species of intelligences in this series, and they’re of roughly equal status.
I know it’s not exactly what you asked but “To sleep in a sea of stars” by Christopher Paolini has humans at almost comparable with the aliens they interact with. Humans are slightly outclassed by the aliens in ship speed but the rest of the technology seems roughly comparable, with humans having better missile tech. It feels more like humans will lose a war of attrition if something major isn’t done, not being completely outclassed.
I just enjoyed the book so much I’m recommending it regardless of the tech differences not quite aligning to the question.
Funny thing, this is the book which prompted me to write the original post. I’m halfway through, but:
spoiler
there are the ancient ones which so far seem to be basically god-like and the jelly ones are better than humans as well, though not by that much.
I just finished this book the other day.
I found it about 400 pages too long, but the aspect of the humans being at least on par with the jellies was refreshing.
Speaker for the dead
