Singularities: technoculture, transhumanism, and science fiction in the 21st century by Joshua Raulerson

This is a PhD thesis in English studies. I heard about it on Booktube and was lucky to get a copy. A few months ago I read How we became Posthuman by Katherine Hayles and although I liked the topics discussed my level of understanding as poor and i was left with more questions. I decided I needed to read more.

This PhD thesis explores the concepts of Singularity, Post and Transhumanism, their origins in SF literature and influences in real life science, politics, economic and social life.

Singularity is a concept (adapted from physics, I read about it in Brian Cox's box, describing a point of infinite density like a black hole) describing a turning point when artificial intelligence surpass humanity.

Very interesting read, particularly the first two chapters, in which Raulerson refers to Katherine Hayles book "How we became posthuman?" clarifying some concepts I couldn't understand in my reading of Hayles. Not that I understand all of it now but I'm in a better position.

There is a chapter analysing the economics of a post-singularity era but which starts discussing Marxism. I have to admit icould barely read it, I had to skip bits. Definitely not my thing.

The thesis also thoroughly dissects a few seminal SF works from the Cyberpunk and Postcyberpunk subgenres. From all the references I remember, I can highlight Diaspora by Greg Egan.... Hopefully I'll be able to read it soon. And last, Raulerson designs an interesting (feminist) critique of Gibson's work, particularly Neuromancer, drawing on the concept of body-hate.

Promesas Rotas by Hiroshi Hirata (3.8🌟)

Title in English is Broken Promises. Seinen, manga. This is a short story collection on samurai and warrior stories. Hirata's style is always crude, sometimes violent and gross. The mangaka  transports the reader to the old Japan when the Clans and the Lords ruled, controlling economic and political affairs as well as people's lives. The titled in this volume are (my own translations):

1. Promesas Rotas, Broken promises: deals with the consequences of broken promises.
2. La Muerte del Doble, The death of the lookalike: an arrogant man is always saved by his twin brother until the brother decides not to help him anymore).
3. El Problema de la Tropa de Transporte, The problem of the transport team: samurai have to lead a convoy weapons and ammunition and deliver the cargo to their Lord who is about to start a war.

4. Corte con el filo hacia abajo (Gesta Marcial - Renuncia al estipendio), Cut with a sharp end... a warrior develops a technique to cut objects and kill people with out touching them.
5. Cut with the sharp end ... (original) - another story using the same them as the above story.
6. The Impotent - a wounded warrior seeks revenge
7. Guerrero Indomable, The Indomitable Warrior -  a Lord struggles to control one of his samurai.t
8. El Guerrero Demoniaco, The Demonic Warrior - a Lord wants to take possession of some lands but finds opposition with the native communities.

Ursula K Le Guin The Wild Girls plus... (4🌟)

Ursula K. Le Guin. The Wild Girls. Plus... is a compilation of 4 texts by Le Guin and an interview of the writer by Terry Bisson.

The first text by Le Guin is a wonderful short, thought provoking  story titled The Wild Girls. It is fantasy embedded with creative feminism. The events take place in a world where the strong abduct the weak and subject them to slavery. It is a system which no one questions but enjoy or endure. The story is very well crafted to make a point on social injustices, patriarchy, sexism, slavery and more.

The second text is an essay "Staying awake while we read" a criticism of the publishing industry, particularly their focus on sales and money.

Some poems.

A short feminist discussion on Modesty "The Conversation of the Modest" and

an interview.

I think I enjoyed the essay and discussion the most but that short story is so well written, it's beautiful. Actually the whole book is worth reading. Totally recommend this book to all Le Guin fans.

My edition was published by PM Press in their series of Outspoken Authors. It has 112 pages.

Three days and a Life by Pierre Lemaitre (4🌟)

Three days and a life is a French noir novel. Unlike the other book I have read by Lemaitre (Blood Wedding, thriller) this is a drama story. It focuses on how our decisions and the consequences of our actions can shape our lives.

Antoine is a 12 year old boy who after making the biggest mistake of his life, decides not to tell anyone. However the memories of the terrible act he committed follow him everywhere he goes. This only adds to the other mental and emotional issues he has. His parents are divorced and his mother is distant and cold. He is not allowed to spend much time with his school friends and he spends most of his time on his own. When his 6 year neighbour dissappears he does not want to join the town people in the search. Instead he tries to escape but fails. As the days pass he is taken in a roller coaster of doubts, fearing that he will be caught and sent to prison. He imagines everyone,  his family and his neighbours, outraged about what he did. The news, the media showing his face. Humiliation and torture to his mother. But will anyone find out what he did?

Opinion: to be honest I was expecting a thriller, but instead I got this wonderful gripping story. This is an in-depth exploration of human psyche as one child and then a man, deals with the consequences of his actions and decisions. The story is very well told. Well written. Interesting. There are no police chases, lawyers or trials. There is one person, hiding in plain sight, dealing with his own fears and remorses. The characters of Antoine and his mother are very well constructed and realistic. Other, secondary characters, were equally interesting, particularly the towns doctor.

I got my edition from my local library. Published by MacLehose Press. It has 251 pages.

Experimental Film by Gemma Files (3.8🌟)

Experimental Film is a ghost story. In fact there is a ghost woman and an evil (ancient) creature (a kind of god) who also has the appearance of a woman. And speaking of women the protagonist is also a woman.

The story follows Lois Cairns an unemployed film critic who, by chance, finds an excellent opportunity to get into a research project. She is interested in the life and work of Iris Whitcomb, a woman from the early 20th century,  with an troubled life and who apparently was one of the first female Canadian movie makers. Lois tracks historical documents from the woman and her husband and some strange footage she filmed. Apparently Mrs Whitcomb had an obsession with a woman creature who had something to do with her son's death. Nobody knows the meaning of the footage but Lois is determined to find out. However, there is someone who would like to take credit of Lois's work and who would do anything, legal or illegal, to get what he wants. And if that wasn't enough Lois personal live is far from easy, with an autistic son, and her own mental health issues. The more Lois digs into Mrs Whitcomb's life and everything she believed in, the more her own life crumbles. She hears strange voices and identifies similarities between her life and that of Mrs Whitcomb's including the presence of a creepy woman creature.

 Opinion: I liked it a lot but I wasn't blown away. The novel is well written. Good character descriptions and development. It provides an excellent historical and technical background for the craft of filming movies 100 years ago,  a bit of contemporary Canadian film industry and critics. I loved this bit. Also, I think Lois's personality and family problems, including the depiction of her son's autism, were realistic and interesting to read. I think I empathised with the protagonist's struggles. The story of Mrs Whitcomb was super interesting and the gothic-like atmosphere in the descriptions of her life were great.  The myth of the Lady Midday was creepy as well although the lady failed to deliver at the end of the story.

My edition was published in 2015 by Chizine publications. It has 305 pages.