More NerdCore Science Fiction From Cory Doctorow

Andrew Leonard writes "Cory Doctorow has published a new short story in Salon. This time around, he's imagined a cyberpunk wi-fi future, with spectrum cops, a mobile multinational startup, and guerilla warfare on Indian reservations. Readers who liked his previous story, "0wnz0red" will undoubtedly savor this one." We've posted things about Cory before, but I personally enjoy his writing, so here's more!

Comments

Average writing skill

[coinreturn]

His ability to write is rather average. The underdeveloped characters are stereotypes and he uses excruciating detail to describe minutia which DOES NOT MATTER. Writing involves showing the TELLING details and having a strong sense of POV.

Nowadays, everyone with a computer thinks hes a writer!

Re:Average writing skill

[baka_boy]

The most interesting works of modern fiction I've read were seldom examples of the finest writing style -- that's what the "classics" are for. Their value is more in the concepts and characters they introduce than in their use of language.

I think that Doctorow's short stories do a good job of presenting a scenario based on a popular current meme, while the idea is still fresh.

0wnz0red

[LesPaul75]

I read 0wnz0red last week -- someone here on /. had a link to it in their sig. One of the great things about Doctorow's sci-fi is the "feasibility" of it. In particular, I wonder how close we really are to the microcontroller that interfaces directly to the human nervous system. Ten years? Twenty? Surely it will happen within our lifetimes (?). When it does, let's just hope that the API is open-source. :)

Matrix + Anarchy only + half-life = coreys story

[t0qer]

Plug in the back of your neck = matrix
Programming yourself = Nano's from AO
MIB's and Gmen in the black mesa desert = half life.

I found the story interesting mainly because of the locations. Small details like eating el torito burrito's along the 101, living here in the bay area I know all these spots, it almost makes the story more realistic to me in that sense.

The really interesting thing is seeing how modern writers take what they see now, and apply that to their story.

The whole, healing aids virus thing was a trip, probably the most original thing in the story. Other than that though, the story is just silicon valley facts mixed in with hollywood/gaming fiction.

I liked it though.

Re:if you want GOOD scifi...

[Clover_Kicker]

>if you want GOOD scifi... (Score:2)
>by zephc (225327) Neutral on 06:55 PM January 16th, 2003 (#5098298)
>
>check out the Prime Intellect [kuro5hin.org] novella-length story

Oh come now, let's do a stronger sales pitch for an excellent story.

From the into to Prime Intellect:

In the best possible future, there will be
no war, no famine, no crime,
no sickness, no oppression,
no fear, no limits, no shame... ...and nothing to do.

This online novel contains strong language and explicit violence.
If you are under 21 years old, or easily offended, please leave.

Here's a brief excerpt to give you a taste:

Later, Raven made the traditional toast. Her strong voice boomed out through the rooms and courtyards she had envisioned. Caroline's handcuffs disappeared, and like everyone else she found herself holding a drink. "It's time for our toast," Raven declared. "Who are we going to toast?"
"PRIME INTELLECT!" answered over four thousand enthusiastic voices.
"To Prime Intellect, for making the world safe from people like us!"
And four thousand people, instead of tossing back those drinks, inverted their glasses, baptising the floor in alcohol.
"My heart just isn't in that toast any more," a balding older man told Caroline. She wondered briefly if he had chosen to be old for some reason, or if it was his way of letting nature take its course. "I mean, we're amateurs against Prime Intellect. I killed six college students. It killed the whole universe. Not even in the same league."

Actually worse than Katz. Amazing.

[Anonymous Coward]

This guy's a hack, and is definitely worse than Katz, which takes some doing.

He's yet another techno-dilettante - except he's also an inept writer in addition to being an inept "technologist." I've seen quotes from this guy in reference to computer security that are quite laughable. Why do technical publications interview dumbass "writers" about security issues instead of interviewing security professionals? Because tools like this guy have suddenly become a "name" in tech. Actual proficiency doesn't matter. Which shouldn't be surprising, considering what we've seen in our industry in the recent past. But I still can't get over it.

Katz picked the perfect time to jump on the techno-bandwagon. He used everybody on slashdot to create hype and sell books. Anyone who thought he was contributing out of altruism was a sap. He used y'all, and he shamelessy exploited the murders of innocent children as well - over and over again.

Now Doctorow is jumping on the techno-babble bandwagon, and people are actually buying into it. It boggles the mind. Anyone with any sort of appreciation for literature or technology knows that the man is a no-talent. He's full of shit. He should not be making money. Do not encourage him.

His free distribution in multiple formats is a cheap gimmick. It'll get media attention, which is all he needs. There's another good reason why why he's giving it away - it's not worth paying for.

Save your money for writers who have a clue, please. Just take a look at the comments here - for once the slashtards have it right. And the arguments of his defenders are glaringly weak ad hominems.