[L]ast night, I finished reading Colin Barnes’ very interesting book, “Artificial Evil”, Book 1 of The Techxorcist. Techxorcism is a word I wish I’d coined, for it evokes images of the world that looms in our very near future, when–if I’m right–spiritual entities may well inhabit code, therefore becoming and ‘artificial evil’ of sorts. Barnes’ novel doesn’t quite take this route, but it’s food for thought as we approach what Ray Kurzweil and many other fellow scientists call The Singularity. Kurzweil views this as a moment in time, but others see the ‘singularity’ as a transition period. Some believe this transition of ‘shift’ has already begun.
The book is a ‘fish out of water’ story revolving around a man who is different. The blurb at Amazon reads like this:
In a post-apocalyptic future, humanity survives within a single domed city ruled by a shadowy organisation known as The Family. Gerry Cardle reluctantly runs the Death Lottery. It’s a job he despises, yet one which keeps his name off the list. Until one day, despite his agreement with The Family, his name is inexplicably drawn next.
As Cardle is drawn into a post-apocalyptic world outside the Dome, his abilities rise to the surface: he is something new. It’s hard to tell just what Barnes’ worldview is, but transhumanism is listed as one of the reasons for the ‘Cataclysm’.
The best way I can describe the book is Blade Runner meets The Artilect War (Hugo deGaris) meets Mad Max. It’s a quick read, and the writing is excellent. Best of all, it’s ‘free’ in Kindle format, so you can’t lose anything more than a good night’s sleep because it is a page turner.
Buy the book here: Amazon.com: Artificial Evil Book 1 of The Techxorcist eBook: Colin F. Barnes: Kindle Store.
