"I grabbed a seat in the reality opposite her."
December 20, 2022 5:14 PM Subscribe
Three short science fiction stories written by people of color and published this year (and thus eligible for you to nominate for 2022 awards). "there’s official information, but it’s never enough. And there are rumors, but you can’t trust them. This is almost like…in between." "Shared Data" by Malka Older imagines us joining forces to share information as mutual aid. "What he wanted was to leave reality." "Simulations" by Danilo Campos portrays an AI who gives a tech CEO surprising advice. Vaughn reached inside herself experimentally, tentatively, looking for anger, and found only fear again. "All That Burns Unseen" by Premee Mohamed depicts firefighting, eldercare, and a new friend.
This is a fundraiser-supported post. Thanks to tavegyl for bidding on this in the MetaFilter fundraiser auction this year!
This is a fundraiser-supported post. Thanks to tavegyl for bidding on this in the MetaFilter fundraiser auction this year!
Premee Mohamed is outrageous and wonderful, her recent trilogy is mind-bending.
posted by seanmpuckett at 5:42 PM on December 20, 2022
posted by seanmpuckett at 5:42 PM on December 20, 2022
I should have mentioned in my framing that all of these are near-future scifi stories, and that at least the first two are about the ramifications of data collection, digital technology, etc.
Another interesting thing about this particular collection of stories is that none are published in the big-name scifi magazines/anthologies that tend to get recognized in awards like the Hugos. One is in Slate (as part of its Future Tense scifi series), one is self-published on the author's website, and one is in Popular Science.
Insert Clever Name Here, you are very kind.
posted by brainwane at 5:55 PM on December 20, 2022 [1 favorite]
Another interesting thing about this particular collection of stories is that none are published in the big-name scifi magazines/anthologies that tend to get recognized in awards like the Hugos. One is in Slate (as part of its Future Tense scifi series), one is self-published on the author's website, and one is in Popular Science.
Insert Clever Name Here, you are very kind.
posted by brainwane at 5:55 PM on December 20, 2022 [1 favorite]
It's possible we are living in a monkey's paw version of "Simulations."
posted by straight at 7:00 PM on December 20, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by straight at 7:00 PM on December 20, 2022 [1 favorite]
I enjoyed all three of these. Thanks, brainwane!
posted by straight at 7:46 PM on December 20, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by straight at 7:46 PM on December 20, 2022 [1 favorite]
Hurrah! Thanks brainwane, looking forward to reading the stories!
posted by tavegyl at 7:52 PM on December 20, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by tavegyl at 7:52 PM on December 20, 2022 [1 favorite]
brainwane posts are always great! Thanks for these.
posted by crossswords at 8:53 PM on December 20, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by crossswords at 8:53 PM on December 20, 2022 [1 favorite]
Haaa, that Danilo Campos one is a simple enough idea but so fun to read it play out.
posted by Wretch729 at 5:53 AM on December 21, 2022
posted by Wretch729 at 5:53 AM on December 21, 2022
Simulations sounds like an excellent way to handle Certain People who just can't get enough attention to satisfy them IRL. I've thought (and once wrote a creepy short story about that no one but my therapist will ever see) similar about Certain People whose...urges...well, let's just not elaborate, but clearly a sci-fi solution would actually help.
posted by jenfullmoon at 10:10 AM on December 21, 2022
posted by jenfullmoon at 10:10 AM on December 21, 2022
These were all well worth reading. Thanks!
posted by Acari at 5:14 PM on December 21, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by Acari at 5:14 PM on December 21, 2022 [1 favorite]
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posted by Insert Clever Name Here at 5:17 PM on December 20, 2022 [4 favorites]