Exhalation

Exhalation: Stories by Ted Chiang is a collection of nine thought-provoking science fiction tales that delve into profound philosophical questions about time, free will, consciousness, artificial intelligence, and humanity’s place in the universe. The title story features a mechanical being on an alien world who dissects itself to uncover the mechanics of thought, revealing how their argon-powered brains face inevitable entropy as universal air pressure equalizes, mirroring thermodynamic doom. Other standout pieces include explorations of time travel through a Baghdad merchant’s encounters with alchemical gates, the deterministic crises sparked by infallible prediction devices, and the ethical bonds formed with evolving digital lifeforms. Chiang’s precise, idea-driven narratives blend rigorous scientific concepts with emotional depth, earning widespread acclaim for their originality and intellectual rigor.