2017.05.07 Walkaway
There are many interesting aspects to this book that I'd like to mull over. Several of which have already gestated in my brain, but emerge with zombie-parasite-like mind-overwhelming distraction. The truth is that Cory Doctorow has definitely got my number, and even though there are many quibbles that I have with the book, I simply cannot stop thinking about it.
Now, pardon me while I go read it some more.
[Finishes reading it.]
Well, OK. My main reaction overall is a wish to have somebody to talk to about Walkaway - so I've got the wife reading it now.
The whole idea of post-scarcity is an interesting thought experiment all by itself. If anybody can effectively have anything thanks to ubiquitous fabrication technology, it does seem fundamentally undermining to transactional economy. However, what is hard to imagine is the intermediate states from current reality to the possibility of post-scarcity. And I'm not sure I can conceive how that might go. The way that Walkaway hints at the societal ramifications of that transition is terrifying to contemplate. The threat of the 1% is perhaps something to worry about, but I can't help but feel that they're ultimately more connected to society than is implied by Walkaway.
Even more interesting to me is the persistent suggestion that selfless contribution is more effective than competition. It resonates with some hopeful aspect - probably very closely associated with the facets I'm trying to nurture as a leader / father / partner.
And, oh my, the technobabble. Walkaway gives good technobabble. It preens my geeky comprehension of jargon in a way that is entirely inappropriate. It's the aspect that will undoubtedly make the book less pleasant for non-nerds to read.
Yep - this really needs to be a conversation, as me just muttering to myself about it doesn't have any impact. Maybe I'll come back to this after some more testing of ideas with other people...