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nature-of-life
The chapter explores the elusive essence of life, distinguishing living beings from machines by a 'ghostly purpose' rather than any vital fluid.
1 chapter across 1 book
The New Adam (1939)Stanley G. Weinbaum
BOOK I. THE PURSUIT OF KNOWLEDGE
In this chapter, Edmond immerses himself in rational scientific inquiry and experimentation, driven more by a fear of boredom than a love of knowledge. He explores the nature of life, intellect, and atomic energy, ultimately inventing a novel vacuum tube based on activated lead, which he patents and offers to a manufacturing company. The chapter ends with Edmond attending a tense business meeting to discuss the potential commercialization of his invention.