Salvador Dali's controversial painting of the crucifixion of Christ entitled Christus Hypercubus plays into Factoring Humanity . But paintings in general are certainly an influence on me. In most of my books, you'll find descriptions of the paintings or art prints people have on their office walls. Factoring Humanity 's protagonist Heather Davis spends a large part of her career deciphering a message from space. But my cynical part is usually held at bay.
Art really is the signature of civilization.
Factoring Humanity doesn't exactly seem to put the profession of therapist in high regard, even showing the potential dangers of an unsuitable therapist. In point of fact, I went to great pains to make clear in Factoring Humanity that the therapist was unlicensed, didn't have a doctorate, and probably shouldn't have been practicing. And, of course, there are bad therapists, and exposing them, and their practices, is an important and righteous thing to do. But, sure, I expect to get letters complaining about that, and other, aspects of the narrative . . .