We Are Legion (We Are Bob)

The Von Neumann probe is a recurring motif that functions as the novel’s primary plot engine and thematic vehicle for exploring The Humanist Drive for Exploration and Progress. First proposed by 20th-century mathematician John von Neumann, a Von Neumann probe is an autonomous spacecraft designed to explore and expand across the galaxy by using local resources to make new versions of itself, a concept Bob is fascinated by even before his death. He reflects on a panel discussion he attends at a Las Vegas convention, noting, “‘Von Neumann probes. Automated probes that reproduce as they visit star systems. Turns out nanites are out and 3D printers are in for self-replication’” (8). The lecture proves extremely meaningful, as epigraphs for several chapters come from the same fictional talk.

Bob’s initial spark of intellectual curiosity defines his entire existence as a replicant. Initially, the HEAVEN project is a tool for a theocratic state’s political and military ambitions, with the hastily converted freighter Heaven-1 serving as a symbol of this rushed, single-minded goal. However, once in space, Bob transforms the mission from one of conquest to one of curiosity, preservation, and problem-solving. The act of self-replication becomes less about claiming territory and more about spreading a humanist ethos throughout the cosmos. The motif evolves from a representation of unchecked proliferation into a symbol of legacy, demonstrating how a single consciousness, driven by an “itch for things remote” (xiii), can seed the stars with exploration and reason, becoming humanity’s most enduring creation.