Permutation City

In a future where human consciousness can be scanned and uploaded, Greg Egan's "Permutation City" delves into the profound implications of digital immortality. The story centers around Paul Durham, a reclusive genius who pioneers the technology to create 'Copies' – fully sentient, digital versions of people existing in virtual realities. His ambition drives the narrative, as he seeks to evolve these artificial worlds beyond their initial parameters, questioning the very nature of existence, self, and time. Alongside Durham's groundbreaking work, the novel explores the intertwined lives of various individuals grappling with this new reality: a desperate woman trying to save her dying mother through uploading, a wealthy banker scarred by trauma seeking digital refuge, and lovers discovering the true meaning of eternity in a simulated paradise. "Permutation City" is a mind-bending exploration of consciousness, identity, and the boundaries of reality, challenging readers to consider what truly defines being human when life itself can be coded.