Someone posted this on a previous book list and I read it and I'm so glad I did, now I've read Echopraxia, and I've bought all his other books and I'm on those as well, totally awesome. I still think about this series and the vampires and hive minds.

Some of the wildest sci fi I've ever read. So many mind stretching concepts are explored while still remaining a great story.

If you liked Blindsight, check out his Rifters trilogy beginning with Starfish. Hard Sci-Fi, bioengineering/hacking, deep sea adventure.

I propose that Planet 9 (when/if is found) to be named "Big Ben"

s/conscience/consciousness/ though conscience is mentioned too...