Understand (story)

"Understand" is a science fiction novelette by American writer Ted Chiang, published in 1991. It was nominated for the 1992 Hugo Award for Best Novelette, and won the 1992 Asimov’s Reader Poll.

The story has been recorded by Rhashan Stone and broadcast as a four-part series on BBC Radio 7.

Plot
The story follows a man who is given an experimental drug to heal brain damage caused by anoxia after he nearly drowns. The drug regenerates his damaged neurons and has the unintended side effect of exponentially improving his intellect and motor skills. As he gets smarter and smarter, he is pursued by several government agencies. Eventually he receives a message from another super-intelligent test subject and enters into conflict with him.