Extracting Humanity And Other Stories

"Oram shows us the building blocks of what it takes to be human and how they hold or collapse against the force of progress" Ksenia Shcherbino, BSFA Review

In this remarkably perceptive collection, Stephen Oram blends cutting-edge science and tech with everyday emotions and values to create 20 thought experiments with heart.

Extracting Humanity is a skilful exploration of smart currencies, memorials, medical care, treatment of refugees, social networks, data monitoring, and justice systems. Always without prescription or reprimand, these stories are simply the beginning of the conversation.

From an eerie haptic suit that Tommy must call Father, to a protective, nutritious bubble that allows Feng Mian to survive on a colonised Moon; from tattoos that will earn their wearers a mini-break in a sensory chamber, to Harrie anxiously awaiting AI feedback on her unborn child... These startling, diverse narratives map all-too-real possibilities for our future and the things that might ultimately divide or unite us.

Praise

"This is science fiction doing its day job, and doing it well." Ken MacLeod, author of Intrusion.

"Manages to maintain humanity and humour, even when descending into post-human worlds where the boundaries are queasily blurred." Chris Beckett, author of the Dark Eden series.

"Stories to make you think about the next steps in our automated futures. Oram places you at the human heart of all things technological." Kate Devlin author of Turned On: Science, Sex and Robots.

"Oram's stories are short, sharp, physical, merciless, sometimes amusing, sometimes shocking, and deeply moving at all times." Ksenia Shcherbino, BSFA Review.