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A review by qalminator
Future Visions: Original Science Fiction Inspired by Microsoft by Greg Bear, Nancy Kress, Elizabeth Bear, Ann Leckie, David Brin, Jennifer Henshaw, Seanan McGuire, Jack McDevitt, Allison Linn, Blue Delliquanti, Robert J. Sawyer, Michele Rosenthal
4.0
I enjoyed almost all of these. There was only one that I genuinely disliked. Two others were interesting, but not to my taste. Note: this may have been put together by Microsoft, but it is not a glorification of them, or even of technology in general.
Hello, Hello - Seanan MacGuire (5 stars) - Translation software, with a twist.
The Machine Starts - Gregory Bear (2 stars) - Quantum computer interacting with the Many Worlds. Interesting premise, but lacked depth (and on-screen female characters).
Skin in the Game - Elizabeth Bear (4 stars) - Recording emotions for profit, not fun.
Machine Learning - Nancy Kress (2.5 stars) - AI learning software and an unending grief cycle. Well written, but felt more like an emotional pastiche than SF to me. YMMV
Riding with the Duke - Jack McDevitt (1 star) - Self improvement through watching yourself act out major movie roles, chosen by girlfriend (this is her only role in the story)
A Cop's Eye - Blue Deliquanti & Michele Rosenthal - graphic format - made so little impression that I barely remember it, so no star rating.
Looking for Gordo - Robert J. Sawyer (5 stars) - SETI finds the motherlode; mock trial over what to do about it. Mostly very well thought out, BUT mountains also isolate populations.
The Tell - David Brin (4 stars) - Facial recognition software as action predictor? Bit long and dry, but in a way that I enjoyed. YMMV
Another Word for World - Ann Leckie (4 stars) - Translation as political tool. Very enjoyable, but I want to see what happens next!
Hello, Hello - Seanan MacGuire (5 stars) - Translation software, with a twist.
The Machine Starts - Gregory Bear (2 stars) - Quantum computer interacting with the Many Worlds. Interesting premise, but lacked depth (and on-screen female characters).
Skin in the Game - Elizabeth Bear (4 stars) - Recording emotions for profit, not fun.
Machine Learning - Nancy Kress (2.5 stars) - AI learning software and an unending grief cycle. Well written, but felt more like an emotional pastiche than SF to me. YMMV
Riding with the Duke - Jack McDevitt (1 star) - Self improvement through watching yourself act out major movie roles, chosen by girlfriend (this is her only role in the story)
A Cop's Eye - Blue Deliquanti & Michele Rosenthal - graphic format - made so little impression that I barely remember it, so no star rating.
Looking for Gordo - Robert J. Sawyer (5 stars) - SETI finds the motherlode; mock trial over what to do about it. Mostly very well thought out, BUT mountains also isolate populations.
The Tell - David Brin (4 stars) - Facial recognition software as action predictor? Bit long and dry, but in a way that I enjoyed. YMMV
Another Word for World - Ann Leckie (4 stars) - Translation as political tool. Very enjoyable, but I want to see what happens next!