Brain Wave

Brain Wave

"Brain Wave" is a science fiction novel by Poul Anderson published in 1954. Anderson had said that he could consider it one of his top five books [ [http://www.locusmag.com/1997/Issues/04/Anderson.html Locus: Poul Anderson interview ] ]

Plot Summary

Some point of time over a billion years ago the earth moved through an energy field in space. As long as earth was in this field all conductors became more insulating. As a result almost all of the life on earth with neurons died off. The ones that survived passed on their genes for extra conducting neurons. Now in modern times the earth suddenly moves out of the field, within weeks all life on earth becomes about 5 times as intelligent. The novel goes though the triumphs and tribulations of various people and non-human animals and groups on earth after this event. Asimov had a similar concept in his 1950 work "Pebble in the Sky".disputed-inline

Criticisms

Some have argued that the book is too short which might have been a result of editor pressure at the time. For example Thomas M. Wagner [ [http://www.sfreviews.net/brainwave.html SF REVIEWS.NET: Brain Wave / Poul Anderson ☆☆☆ ] ] writes:

"the book does feel somewhat rushed, as well as heavily edited, and I felt there was more Anderson was wanting to tell me. Anderson focuses his plot on a handful of lead characters"

References


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  • brain wave — n 1) rhythmic fluctuations of voltage between parts of the brain resulting in the flow of an electric current 2) a current produced by brain waves compare ALPHA WAVE, BETA WAVE …   Medical dictionary

  • brain wave — brain′ wave n. 1) phl Usu., brain waves. electrical potentials or impulses given off by brain tissue Compare alpha rhythm beta rhythm delta rhythm 2) brainstorm 1) • Etymology: 1865–70 …   From formal English to slang

  • brain wave — n. 1. any of a series of rhythmic electric impulses given off by nerve centers in the brain: they produce oscillations on an electroencephalogram and are usually measured during rest 2. Informal a sudden inspiration; brainstorm …   English World dictionary

  • brain wave — noun (neurophysiology) rapid fluctuations of voltage between parts of the cerebral cortex that are detectable with an electroencephalograph • Syn: ↑brainwave, ↑cortical potential • Topics: ↑neurophysiology • Hypernyms: ↑bioelect …   Useful english dictionary

  • brain wave — noun Date: 1890 1. brainstorm 2a 2. a. rhythmic fluctuations of voltage between parts of the brain resulting in the flow of an electric current b. a current produced by brain waves …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • brain wave — 1. Usually, brain waves. Med. electrical potentials or impulses given off by brain tissue. Cf. alpha rhythm, beta rhythm, delta rhythm. 2. Informal. a sudden idea or inspiration; brainstorm. [1865 70] * * * …   Universalium

  • brain wave — (Medicine) electrical impulse originating in brain tissue; sudden idea, brainstorm, inspirational thought …   English contemporary dictionary

  • brain wave — Synonyms and related words: automatic response, blind impulse, brainstorm, drive, fancy, flash, fleeting impulse, gut response, impulse, inspiration, instinct, involuntary impulse, natural impulse, notion, quick hunch, reflex, sudden thought,… …   Moby Thesaurus

  • brain wave — /breɪn ˈweɪv/ (say brayn wayv) noun an activity of the central nervous system occurring as one of a repetitive series of such activities …  

  • brain-wave —  Brilliant idea or sudden inspiration …   A concise dictionary of English slang

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