Not meaning to put you down here, but 3 grams a day is pitiful. If ou weigher 150 pounds and made your own vitamin C (like most animals do) you would be making 10 grams a day. More when under stress. I take over 25 grams a day (I am older than you with more years of body abuse), and nearly 40 grams a day when I am fighting a cold. Buying ascorbic acid powder makes it a cheap habit, especially from the internet.

I am not familiar with Greg Egan.

You ever look at Tad Willaims and his Otherland trilogy? Fat books. Lots of time to enjoy the story unfolding.