Instruct: Classify Amazon reviews into positive or negative sentiment
Query: Wordy but provocative

Right. By now you know that he could have cut out several of the Stephen-King-reminiscent verbosity, but for idea generation it's a gem. The way he deconstructs academia is worth the read alone. I agree that it will appeal only to certain types (the scientifically inclined and hackers, nerds and literati) but for those it will thrill. Stephenson is showing real signs of improvement; this exceeds Snow Crash or Diamond Age by leagues.