I like how this story imagines a more positive spin on social media and the use of AI and algorithms that actually helps people rather than advertisers. It isn't utopian and it is aware of the...
I like how this story imagines a more positive spin on social media and the use of AI and algorithms that actually helps people rather than advertisers. It isn't utopian and it is aware of the pitfalls of the concept it explores, but it was a nice story with a bit more positive vibe among all the dystopian science fiction stories that fill up most of the magazines. Shameless self-plug, I wrote a review of this story when it was published.
Awesome. I used to do mini reviews of my favourite short stories too on reddit when I still posted there. Been considering whether I wanted to repost them here one of these days. I will definitely...
Awesome. I used to do mini reviews of my favourite short stories too on reddit when I still posted there. Been considering whether I wanted to repost them here one of these days. I will definitely check out your website to find out any gems I've not read before.
Reading this, I was reminded of how much I despise my employer's "wellness" program, the obvious manipulative qualities of behavioral nudges, and externally motivated nagging. Click to expand...
Reading this, I was reminded of how much I despise my employer's "wellness" program, the obvious manipulative qualities of behavioral nudges, and externally motivated nagging.
Click to expand spoiler.
As a matter of ethics, Naomi Kritzer's characters derive less benefit from the happiness-improving app once it's revealed that it's AI-based, even though it's (theoretically) designed for beneficent purposes. Would this have been the case if the app rollout was less secretive/deceptive?
One of the most damaging things about our algorithmic environment is that without transparency, we default, with good justification, to assuming the worst: that all interactions are exploitive. This, I think, is at the root of the alienated misery which Kritzer's algorithm attempts (and partially fails) to address.
I really love Naomi Kritzer's writing, particularly because of how much heart and hope they contain. Her stories never fail to give me a warm fuzzy feeling.
I really love Naomi Kritzer's writing, particularly because of how much heart and hope they contain. Her stories never fail to give me a warm fuzzy feeling.
Ha, it got me fooled for a while. I did not look at the site and just started reading thinking it was a column, or an article. I hadn't realize it was fiction and even googled for the app. But now...
Ha, it got me fooled for a while. I did not look at the site and just started reading thinking it was a column, or an article. I hadn't realize it was fiction and even googled for the app.
But now I know and now I have a new site with some good stories. Nice treat. Thanks!
I dug the premise. The narrative style isn't really my style but it was engaging enough to get invested enough to keep going. Oddly (without the calls and such) I found myself relating to this...
I dug the premise. The narrative style isn't really my style but it was engaging enough to get invested enough to keep going.
Oddly (without the calls and such) I found myself relating to this after the "fall" of reddit. Without the deluge of constant 'new' info, I found myself on focused forums and such which made me focus more on the things I was interested enough to invest my time into. That, plus the whole 'anti productivity unless it's productivity you want' vibe got me. Playing a video game may not be productive in the strictest sense but I am making progress in something I consider a hobby and that's good enough.
All in all, I'll have to look up more of her work.
An excellent and emotional read, thank you for posting! These themes really resonate with me, so I’ve written a few thoughts: Thoughts (spoilers) At first, the characters assumed the worst about...
An excellent and emotional read, thank you for posting! These themes really resonate with me, so I’ve written a few thoughts:
Thoughts (spoilers)
At first, the characters assumed the worst about the app, and I shared that suspicion. The reveal that the app was truly benevolent, with no ulterior motives, was genuinely shocking.
This quote stood out:
“…people are always impressed when science tells them something that we already knew.”
It would be deeply affirming (if not “impressive”) to be told, by an impartial algorithm, that it can be good to follow your heart.
Linnea was ultimately responsible for the positive changes in her life. She just needed some gentle encouragement to overcome her mental barriers and bad habits that had calcified with time.
Linnea’s able to commit to her new lifestyle even without Abelique. Her continued commitment suggests that even though the real world has no magic apps, a better life is still possible once those mental barriers are surpassed.
I remember enjoying this author's short story "Cat Pictures Please". I didn't know she'd turned it into a novel! Putting "Catfishing on CatNet" on my to-read list at the library.
I remember enjoying this author's short story "Cat Pictures Please". I didn't know she'd turned it into a novel! Putting "Catfishing on CatNet" on my to-read list at the library.
I like how this story imagines a more positive spin on social media and the use of AI and algorithms that actually helps people rather than advertisers. It isn't utopian and it is aware of the pitfalls of the concept it explores, but it was a nice story with a bit more positive vibe among all the dystopian science fiction stories that fill up most of the magazines. Shameless self-plug, I wrote a review of this story when it was published.
Awesome. I used to do mini reviews of my favourite short stories too on reddit when I still posted there. Been considering whether I wanted to repost them here one of these days. I will definitely check out your website to find out any gems I've not read before.
Reading this, I was reminded of how much I despise my employer's "wellness" program, the obvious manipulative qualities of behavioral nudges, and externally motivated nagging.
Click to expand spoiler.
As a matter of ethics, Naomi Kritzer's characters derive less benefit from the happiness-improving app once it's revealed that it's AI-based, even though it's (theoretically) designed for beneficent purposes. Would this have been the case if the app rollout was less secretive/deceptive?
One of the most damaging things about our algorithmic environment is that without transparency, we default, with good justification, to assuming the worst: that all interactions are exploitive. This, I think, is at the root of the alienated misery which Kritzer's algorithm attempts (and partially fails) to address.
I really love Naomi Kritzer's writing, particularly because of how much heart and hope they contain. Her stories never fail to give me a warm fuzzy feeling.
Ha, it got me fooled for a while. I did not look at the site and just started reading thinking it was a column, or an article. I hadn't realize it was fiction and even googled for the app.
But now I know and now I have a new site with some good stories. Nice treat. Thanks!
If you are looking for nonfiction, algorithms to live by is a good book. However there is no app
Lightspeed is another good SFF site if you need more!
I dug the premise. The narrative style isn't really my style but it was engaging enough to get invested enough to keep going.
Oddly (without the calls and such) I found myself relating to this after the "fall" of reddit. Without the deluge of constant 'new' info, I found myself on focused forums and such which made me focus more on the things I was interested enough to invest my time into. That, plus the whole 'anti productivity unless it's productivity you want' vibe got me. Playing a video game may not be productive in the strictest sense but I am making progress in something I consider a hobby and that's good enough.
All in all, I'll have to look up more of her work.
An excellent and emotional read, thank you for posting! These themes really resonate with me, so I’ve written a few thoughts:
Thoughts (spoilers)
At first, the characters assumed the worst about the app, and I shared that suspicion. The reveal that the app was truly benevolent, with no ulterior motives, was genuinely shocking.
This quote stood out:
It would be deeply affirming (if not “impressive”) to be told, by an impartial algorithm, that it can be good to follow your heart.
Linnea was ultimately responsible for the positive changes in her life. She just needed some gentle encouragement to overcome her mental barriers and bad habits that had calcified with time.
Linnea’s able to commit to her new lifestyle even without Abelique. Her continued commitment suggests that even though the real world has no magic apps, a better life is still possible once those mental barriers are surpassed.
Thanks for posting this. It was nice to read something hopeful about human connection.
I remember enjoying this author's short story "Cat Pictures Please". I didn't know she'd turned it into a novel! Putting "Catfishing on CatNet" on my to-read list at the library.