Peter Watts became the living master of hard scifi, (imo), with "Blindsight". In that book he first described (in terms that someone like me could understand) a cognition that rivals and surpasses human intelligence, by an alien creature that is 'unconscious'. It's so counter-intuitive to human thought (and arrogance) that something can be autonomous (unaware of its own actions) yet still work with purpose and according to a strategy that benefits its interests. Because the systems that are needed to maintain awareness are not present, this is in fact a faster and less error-prone method of thinking. He also does a neat trick where the aliens can communicate with us, despite having no understanding of what they are saying. I would have to re-read that part of the book to offer an explanation, but it involves grammar and information theory.

I would like to know, is this study of crypto-intelligence a recognized field and is Peter Watts at the forefront of this study, or is he getting his ideas from a disconnected body of experts?