The Computer Connection
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The Computer Connection is a novel by science fiction author Alfred Bester. Originally published as a serial in Analog Science Fiction (November, December 1974, January 1975, under the title The Indian Giver) it appeared in book form in 1975. Some editions give it the title Extro.
[edit] Plot introduction
In the future, a band of immortals (some who are famous historical characters, some who have tried their best to avoid becoming so) have only one requirement for membership: don't die. Through their social network (which is, as you may guess, extensive) they come across a brilliant Cherokee physicist named Sequoya Guess. Dr. Guess himself has only very recently learned of his peculiarity, and the catches and loopholes that come along with it, creating a swift change in his day-to-day life that is as much a shock to his friends as to himself. At the same time, the world's scientists are collaborating to bring together a super-computer named Extro, that will monitor and control all mechanical activity on Earth, and the immortals create a plan to subtly harness Extro to aid them in their quest for knowledge and use some of the experience they've gained to assist it in its task. Working outside of expected intents, Extro instead seizes control of Dr. Guess, leaving the only people who know what's going on — the Immortals and Guess's nearest friends — to grapple with the heart and mind of a malevolent machine in the body of an Immortal, a powerful and ingenious man who cannot be killed.
