Near-future science fiction is a fine way to consider our now. Without the reality of today, we can think hard about the tomorrow we’re about to live in.
Summer reads are supposed to be a bit lighter.
Technological change is making our near future a bit harder to dance with, and yet, here are some books I strongly recommend–not because they gloss over our possible futures, but because they give us the scaffolding to look hard at it while we can still make an impact.
Foundry is a thriller about semiconductors. Fast-moving and classic Peper.
When H.A.R.L.I.E. Was One is the very first novel I read about AI. I was 12 years old. Gerrold wrote this a lifetime ago, and yet it will make you think.
The Ministry for the Future is heartbreaking and life-changing. Every human should be offered a copy and encouraged to read it.
The Very Nice Box helps us think about workplace roles (with some marketing and design as a bonus).
The Last Policeman is fabulous metaphor and a great way to get clear about how you’d like to spend tomorrow.
All highly recommended.
https://seths.blog/2024/06/the-near-future-and-summer-reads/