f you just want correct future predictions at a past point, then you are reading Stephenson wrong.

What if it's dated? Anything wrong with that?

You don't like the mythology of a culture being blended into a great story with futuristic tech?

I just loved that.

I see Stephenson as an unapologetic celebration of nerdy, intelligent stuff. It it definitely not the only way.

I have read Quicksilver. The way the novel portrays that time, and my Science heroes, is just fantastic. I don't care at all that it's dated.

My first book from him was Cryptonomicon. I care about History, Math, Computers, and that book blended all that in a coherent setup with proper environmental creation.

I also like the writing style. It's so clean and friendly.