Story of your Life

By Ted Chiang, 1998

A summary...

Louise Banks is a linguist involved in a « first contact » mission. While learning the alien written language, she encounters strange visions of a daughter she doesn't have yet...

My opinion...

My early questionings about time began with Augustine of Hippo's writings. I've chose this story because of the way it tackles the issue of past, present and future which is a core issue both in Philosophy and in Science. This story is just beautiful and a bit mind-blowing also, and makes a splendid bridge between philosophy and science-fiction.

1. I'm not sure about the title : does it refer to the life of the daughter ? Or maybe is it more general, therefore asking implicitly what is it like to know the "story of your life" ? What do you think, dear reader ;) ?

2. Did you see the film « Arrival » ? Because it is based on this story. I just want to comment on one point : I don't see why knowing the future is supposed to be a kind of gift or « weapon »/tool as they say in the film. In the book, it can be seen as a curse, a side effect of learning this language, turning your mind upside down.

3. The end is just perfect : a bit confusing but not too much.

4. There is an interesting parallel with stoicism : you cannot prevent your destiny but your freedom is to accept or not your situation. When you see future and you can't act, it works the same.

5. Finally, the story uses a famous theory : linguistic relativity. It states that when learning a language it affects your world view. In particular, the strong hypothesis affirms that language determines your thoughts. Do you agree?

From "Science and Technology" by Benjamin Lee Whorf (1940)

Medicis