Paragraphs like this are the reason I find it hard to read science fiction novels

I read Stross' Accelerando back when it came out (a decade ago!), and though I enjoyed it I was left with zero desire to read more work by him. However, I recently picked up one of his latest books, Neptune's Brood, and found myself enjoying it. The book is about some sort of futuretastic interstellar banker who's on a secret mission that (halfway throu…