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{{work}}
{{Infobox book
''The Diamond Age, [[Either or Title|Or]], A Young Lady's Illustrated Primer'' is a novel by [[Neal Stephenson]] about a world where nanotechnology has become ubiquitous and society has fractured along subcultural lines. Wait, no: it's about the role of human interaction in childrearing, as seen through the lens of an advanced educational simulation -- something like an infinitely more sophisticated ''[[Oregon Trail]]'' game. No, that's not it either: it's about the influence of culture upon psychological development. Or is it about the breakdown of hierarchical social structures, or about the certain ''je ne sais quoi'' that separates souls from simulations?▼
| title = The Diamond Age: Or, A Young Lady's Illustrated Primer
| image =
| caption =
| author = Neal Stephenson
| central theme =
| elevator pitch =
| genre = Science fiction
| publication date = February 1995
| wiki URL =
| wiki name =
}}
▲'''''The Diamond Age
Needless to say, it's got layers.
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{{tropelist}}
* [[Action Girl]]: Nell grows into a multidisciplinary warrior, engineer, {{spoiler|and princess}} thanks to the Primer's influence.
* [[Awesome McCoolname]]: Carl ''Hollywood.''
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* [[Edutainment Game]]: The Primer. Best edutainment ever.
* [[Either or Title]]
* [[Everything's Better
* [[Explosive Leash]]: Cookie Cutters: cell-sized explosives capable of taking a small chunk out of a person, and usually injected into them in quantity. They can be detonated after a period of time (known as the Seven Minute Special), by remote control, or by passing a radio barrier. Used for execution and prisoner restraint (in large quantities) or for pacifying criminals (usually one is enough).
* [[Fluffy the Terrible]]: The {{spoiler|Mouse Army}} means business.
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* [[In Which a Trope Is Described]]
* [[Judge, Jury, and Executioner]]: The neo-Confucian Judge Fang, who has the powers (and the robes and beard) of a judge from when China was an empire. He himself says that he combines the roles of detective, judge, jury and executioner. The accused is not allowed to speak in his own defense. (The author has been accused of making errors in his portrayal of Confucianism.)
* [[Locking MacGyver in
* [[Matter Replicator]]: A major application of nanotechnology, which underlies much of what happens in the book.
* [[Mechanical Horse]]: The chevalines.
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** One character expresses disbelief that anything as complex as ''woven fabric'' could possibly be made by anything other than specially engineered nanobots.
* [[Parental Incest]]: There is something chilling about describing pedophilia from the perspective of a child being sexually abused:
{{quote|
'''Part 2:''' She knew from the way Harv had reacted that the showers were a bad thing, and in a way it felt good to know this because it explained why it felt wrong. She did not know how to stop Mark from making her take the shower this evening. }}
* [[Planet of Hats]]: Earth has become one. Stereotypes are not only common, but socially enforced in a cultural cold war.
* [[Power Armor]]: Huge-ass suits of powered armor are worn for military engagements. One of Nell's caretakers rides into battle [[Days of Future Past|on chevaline-back in powered armor.]]
* [[Prophecies Are Always Right]]: The story of Princess Nell is eerily prescient, even in its simplest form. Justified in that there's a human intelligence and insanely smart onboard computer examining Nell's life as she lives it, but seriously...
* [[Rape
** Followed by [[Roaring Rampage of Revenge|Nell]] {{spoiler|manufacturing a nanomachine chainsword and killing the hell out of every Fist she comes across during her escape.}}
* [[Screw Destiny]]: {{spoiler|Nell kills the nanomachines in Miranda's blood, stopping the ritual that will create the Seed.}} The result of this is left uncertain.
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* [[Tyke Bomb]]: Or rather {{spoiler|a Tyke nuclear arsenal}}.
* [[Unusual Weapon Mounting]]: The voice-activated skull-guns, nano-mechanical firearms inserted into a hole drilled into the forehead. They can be installed within an hour, tops.
* [[What Happened to
{{reflist}}
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[[Category:Nebula Award]]
[[Category:Hugo Award]]
[[Category:Science Fiction Literature]]
[[Category:Arthur C. Clarke Award]]
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Diamond Age, The}}
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