Extracting Humanity and Other Stories by Stephen Oram
I would like to thank the author for a copy of this collection in exchange for a fair and honest review
Publisher – Orchid’s Lantern
Published – Out Now
Price – £8.99 paperback £4.99 Kindle eBook
The future is near…
In this remarkably perceptive collection, Stephen Oram blends cutting-edge science and tech with everyday emotions and values to create 20 thought experiments with heart.
Extracting Humanity is a skilful exploration of smart currencies, memorials, medical care, treatment of refugees, social networks, data monitoring, and justice systems. Always without prescription or reprimand, these stories are simply the beginning of the conversation.
From an eerie haptic suit that Tommy must call Father, to a protective, nutritious bubble that allows Feng Mian to survive on a colonised Moon; from tattoos that will earn their wearers a mini-break in a sensory chamber, to Harrie anxiously awaiting AI feedback on her unborn child… These startling, diverse narratives map all-too-real possibilities for our future and the things that might ultimately divide or unite us.
What is science fiction for? I think at its core like all stories – to make you think. But here about the future not always a million years away but round the corner. The what ifs and the risks we face especially with Technology the force that has made us what we are and could easily lead to our doom. In Stephen Oram’s very entertaining and thoughtful collection Extracting Humanity and Other Stories we get tales that explore what the near future could hold and it is not always reassuring and that perhaps is something SF can do better than other genres (although I wish a few more paid attention).
In this collection among the stories that I enjoyed: -
Poisoning Prejudice – a fascinating tale of slow burn revenge. Our narrator holds the powerful to account for the death of her family and she uses algorithms in a fascinating way. The ideas of crime, morality scoring the ability to manipulate data get explored in a fascinating take you’re not sure how will end. Very interesting.
Haptic Father – a young teenager is puzzled why a strange suit is worshipped and called his father. It’s a weird disturbing tale that relies on us not quite putting the pieces together until its too late. Then we find out the family secret and its far too late.
Bits ‘n’ Bacon - A fascinating tale of morality scoring a repeating theme in the collection. An old man craves bacon but in society that can ruin you as your biodata becomes worthless. It is a tale exploring the future of healthcare, the black market and ends even on a sly bit of humour.
A Mother’s Nightmare - Adding to the idea of where healthcare goes in the future, we have here a mother worried about her toddler’s behaviour and suddenly we see a world that forecasts people’s worth and future contribution to society. AI is raised here and its creepy and its only way of hope is heavily caveated. A sinister tale.
William Dreams – a man spends his sleep keeping the world going but it has a price. This is a story where the lead characters life tells you all about the society he lives in. One that loves control and is cheap with those it employs. Disturbing and depressing for how plausible it can be.
Keeping family – Another tale to chill with a focus on healthcare where social worth can be predicted from birth, and it is again a tale that leaves a sour taste but a powerful one about the use of data.
Extracting Humanity – The tile tale is a tough one a couple are rebelling against the system. A cruel system that challenges their beliefs and whose punishment is extreme. The question is can someone be broken in such circumstances. The scenario used is one we as the reader must judge if the right answer is drawn up.
Extracting Humanity is a really thought-provoking collection that takes the more subtle type of technology – AI, data sharing, currencies and access to services means that its less epic SF but actually in many ways opening up thoughts on more pressing and plausible issues. My only reservation is some themes repeat themselves a little too much but overall, this is an entertaining collection of short fiction that readers should enjoy if they like to look into the black mirror of SF.
