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Millions of Little Threads
“It’s like there are a million little threads attached to everything—everything you think and choose and encounter—and all the threads are destined to get tangled up eventually.”
Kennedy Weatherly is a lonely, anxious young man working in finance. After implanting a brain-machine interface—a device controlled and interacted with through brain signals—he inexplicably begins experiencing problems with it. Unable to locate or identify the source on his own, Kennedy soon finds himself in a maze of absurd customer support processes as his problem only seems to get worse. He must struggle to regain control over his life in the progressively surreal and disorienting landscape of the near future.
A deeply dark yet almost comical exploration of humanity’s increasing alienation from itself, Millions of Little Threads will make you ponder the nature of progress, of technology, and of what it means to find oneself caught in the whirlpool of existence.
Kennedy Weatherly is a lonely, anxious young man working in finance. After implanting a brain-machine interface—a device controlled and interacted with through brain signals—he inexplicably begins experiencing problems with it. Unable to locate or identify the source on his own, Kennedy soon finds himself in a maze of absurd customer support processes as his problem only seems to get worse. He must struggle to regain control over his life in the progressively surreal and disorienting landscape of the near future.
A deeply dark yet almost comical exploration of humanity’s increasing alienation from itself, Millions of Little Threads will make you ponder the nature of progress, of technology, and of what it means to find oneself caught in the whirlpool of existence.
44 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 7, 2023
47 people are currently reading
319 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
June 19, 2023
This novella is reminiscent of a Black Mirror episode, artfully diving into the profound implications of cutting-edge neurological technology like Elon Musk's Neuralink project. The narrative poses thought-provoking questions about the nature of consciousness and the limits of our understanding.
By alluding to philosophical concepts such as the hard problem of consciousness and the knowledge argument, embodied by the thought experiment of 'Mary's Room', the book pushes us to ponder the complexities of our subjective experiences.
At its core, the story explores the tantalising possibility of whether we could ever reach a stage of technological sophistication that would allow us to mimic consciousness through physical means. For instance, could we artificially stimulate specific neural pathways to recreate the multi-sensory experience of standing on the beach at sunset, feeling the sand between our toes, hearing the waves crash, smelling the salty sea air, and experiencing the profound sense of tranquillity that comes with it?
By alluding to philosophical concepts such as the hard problem of consciousness and the knowledge argument, embodied by the thought experiment of 'Mary's Room', the book pushes us to ponder the complexities of our subjective experiences.
At its core, the story explores the tantalising possibility of whether we could ever reach a stage of technological sophistication that would allow us to mimic consciousness through physical means. For instance, could we artificially stimulate specific neural pathways to recreate the multi-sensory experience of standing on the beach at sunset, feeling the sand between our toes, hearing the waves crash, smelling the salty sea air, and experiencing the profound sense of tranquillity that comes with it?
March 8, 2023
(audiobook version)
Stuff of dystopian nightmares.
Couldn't help but finish listening to this in one sitting.
Stuff of dystopian nightmares.
Couldn't help but finish listening to this in one sitting.
April 21, 2024
The book spans 50 pages and is set in a futuristic society.
Our main character gets a chip that can be implanted in his school that has to be surgically implanted and attached to his brain.
He quickly becomes reliant on the device for multiple reasons.
Firstly, there's an emotional regulation app that allows him to select his preferred emotions while eschewing those he dislikes.
Secondly, the device can interact with other devices in the world with just a thought, instantly. Eliminating the gap between desire and actions. Complications arise when the identification process no longer is able to recognize the person he is, prompting him to establish a new identity through a fresh brain scan, which the device uses for verification.
You get the feeling that our main character is living life through the lens of this device and loses himself in the process
The book is a nice chill experience that might make you wonder about how you live.
Our main character gets a chip that can be implanted in his school that has to be surgically implanted and attached to his brain.
He quickly becomes reliant on the device for multiple reasons.
Firstly, there's an emotional regulation app that allows him to select his preferred emotions while eschewing those he dislikes.
Secondly, the device can interact with other devices in the world with just a thought, instantly. Eliminating the gap between desire and actions. Complications arise when the identification process no longer is able to recognize the person he is, prompting him to establish a new identity through a fresh brain scan, which the device uses for verification.
You get the feeling that our main character is living life through the lens of this device and loses himself in the process
The book is a nice chill experience that might make you wonder about how you live.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 23, 2024
Short, Simple, and Something to Think About
(4.0/5) The story is short and simple and to the point—but exploring the complexities and implications of integrating technology into your actual brain is actually staggering. This book gives you a lot to think about, for sure. Like how technologies are created to solve problems, but it takes OTHER technologies to solve the problems that the previous tech created. It’s a vicious cycle! A Catch-22. And there’s an interesting take on how our dependence on certain technologies impact our sense of self, social status, and sense of belonging in our communities. As I read this book, I kept hearing echoes of “it’s those dang phones” in the back of my mind, LOL. It also makes me want to read more studies about the effects these technologies are actually having on our brains. Overall, a short and interesting read that definitely gives you something to think about.
(4.0/5) The story is short and simple and to the point—but exploring the complexities and implications of integrating technology into your actual brain is actually staggering. This book gives you a lot to think about, for sure. Like how technologies are created to solve problems, but it takes OTHER technologies to solve the problems that the previous tech created. It’s a vicious cycle! A Catch-22. And there’s an interesting take on how our dependence on certain technologies impact our sense of self, social status, and sense of belonging in our communities. As I read this book, I kept hearing echoes of “it’s those dang phones” in the back of my mind, LOL. It also makes me want to read more studies about the effects these technologies are actually having on our brains. Overall, a short and interesting read that definitely gives you something to think about.
August 24, 2024
A good quick fast read - holds your attention the whole time - but it is dark - not like his youtube channel, which is overall very positive and of the best examples of YouTube art you could see - I couldn't recommend it highly enough. I hope when youtube Is studied in the future it doesn't just focus on MrBeast, the Paul brothers and make-up channels but this is part of the story of what it can be
The story is a warning, and a good one. I'll be reading more of Pantano in the future, and will keep watching
The story is a warning, and a good one. I'll be reading more of Pantano in the future, and will keep watching
July 18, 2024
This short story is fucking wonderful. There are so many analogies for modern technology and life littered throughout this. No review of mine will do this short story justice. I can't believe it has so few ratings, and therefore readings. Read it. I read it in like an hour. Go.
I will say, the more tech-literate you are, and the more you follow modern technologies, the more this story will hit you.
To describe this story best though, it would do for an excellent Black Mirror episode.
I will say, the more tech-literate you are, and the more you follow modern technologies, the more this story will hit you.
To describe this story best though, it would do for an excellent Black Mirror episode.
June 4, 2023
A brilliant little novella. It tells the story of a possible and highly likely future we will soon see with far less emphasis on the world itself and a lot more about the minds of a person living within it.
Highly recommended for anyone who likes philosophy and also recommended for people who like cyberpunk dystopia’s.
Highly recommended for anyone who likes philosophy and also recommended for people who like cyberpunk dystopia’s.
June 21, 2023
Exciting (if dystopian) little sci-fi story about a future where brain implants are becoming the default way to interact with computers. It follows a young guy who gets a brain computer interface (BCI) implant, which after a little while starts malfunctioning.
I enjoyed the story a lot, would have loved it to be longer, exploring the BCI theme more.
I enjoyed the story a lot, would have loved it to be longer, exploring the BCI theme more.
August 16, 2023
Good idea, maybe since it was conceived as an audio book the paperback lacks some of the strength of the narration. The plot is simple it's a downward spiral where the sense and meanings are lost, it's also a realistic future who seems more like an entrapping cage than any good continuous of a reality.
January 14, 2024
3.5/5
From the first few pages it's clear that what general direction the story would go. This book serves as a warning of what the future could look like when we rely too heavily on technologies. What at first seems to be a tool to serve us may end up being what that destroys us.
Storyline was not complex or surprising but I did enjoy reading it.
From the first few pages it's clear that what general direction the story would go. This book serves as a warning of what the future could look like when we rely too heavily on technologies. What at first seems to be a tool to serve us may end up being what that destroys us.
Storyline was not complex or surprising but I did enjoy reading it.
August 15, 2024
One word: Rending
Reading this was like having some of my worst fears and highest hopes for the immediate future illustrated through written word. The realistic feasibility of such a technology and the increasingly inevitable dependence we will all have on it is a terrifying concept. An excellent story to chill the bones on a quite, unproductive Thursday afternoon.
Reading this was like having some of my worst fears and highest hopes for the immediate future illustrated through written word. The realistic feasibility of such a technology and the increasingly inevitable dependence we will all have on it is a terrifying concept. An excellent story to chill the bones on a quite, unproductive Thursday afternoon.
October 12, 2024
So I have finally read a book by Robert Pântano after following his YouTube page "Pursuit if Wonder". Well done me!
4.5 stars. It was a very short story but I really liked it. Someone said in one of the reviews that this story felt like an episode of Black Mirror, which I agree.
I am going to read the other books now. Let's see how that goes.
4.5 stars. It was a very short story but I really liked it. Someone said in one of the reviews that this story felt like an episode of Black Mirror, which I agree.
I am going to read the other books now. Let's see how that goes.
July 21, 2023
I do not believe the future is THAT harsh - but I did like the dark themes of it all, most of the books are too optimistic :) All in all, I do agree it is a pretty accurate view of the future in 10+ years. Huge changes to come, enjoy the last decade of being fully humans :)
October 31, 2023
It didn't hit as hard as some of his other writings, and was colored with a darker palate, but it wasn't bad overall. Felt like a Black Mirror premise, with its dystopian views of technological evolution in the near-future. Not sure I'd recommend it unless nihilism gets you goin
November 20, 2024
Other reviews have mentioned that this was reminiscent of a Black Mirror episode and I think that is pretty spot on.
This was an okay novella, but not really what I was it expecting, so that is reflected in my rating. Went into it blindly and should have read the synopsis.
This was an okay novella, but not really what I was it expecting, so that is reflected in my rating. Went into it blindly and should have read the synopsis.
July 28, 2025
A cautionary tale about humanity’s reliance on technology and the effect that dependence can have on a persons mental state and overall life. I enjoyed reading it a lot, the execution was well done, but it felt a tad rushed in places.
June 2, 2023
Reminds me of the reality we live in, or the reality that our future generations may live in
June 7, 2023
A brilliant premise that falls a bit flat.
The book is quite short. This isn't a flaw inside of itself, but ends up limiting the character development, and direction.
The book is quite short. This isn't a flaw inside of itself, but ends up limiting the character development, and direction.
October 18, 2023
A great idea for a story, but it felt a bit rushed.
February 14, 2024
technology evil!
We must return to the forest and live our lives in a manner that reduces all suffering! Through wants and desires we destroy our own happiness
We must return to the forest and live our lives in a manner that reduces all suffering! Through wants and desires we destroy our own happiness
May 4, 2024
Great read.
Loved the book. Short but enlightening about the dangers of technology. Worth your time. Pantano is a great writer and holds your attention.
Loved the book. Short but enlightening about the dangers of technology. Worth your time. Pantano is a great writer and holds your attention.
May 12, 2024
Yeah I'm afraid of Neuralink as well
October 15, 2024
Eerie yet metaphorically true
December 9, 2024
Makes me want to stop using Alexa, Bixby, and Google.
September 20, 2025
Robert Pantano never disappoints. Second time I pick up his work I know it will be worth it.
So deep…
So deep…
January 18, 2025
As someone who is interested in the intersection of human-machine interaction, this book was quite enlightening. What is the future made of and are we, as humans capable of being in control over our habits, in the face of advanced technological stimuli? What does the evolution of technology hold in store for us? Considering a linear technological development, learning to use novel technology is far more easier than having to give it up altogether.
While novel technology is both extraordinary and exciting, understanding how it alters our brain chemistry is crucial in learning to keep the autonomy over our actions intact. But again, how much of our autonomy are we ready to compromise for the efficiency of day to day tasks?
Quite a thought-provoking book.
While novel technology is both extraordinary and exciting, understanding how it alters our brain chemistry is crucial in learning to keep the autonomy over our actions intact. But again, how much of our autonomy are we ready to compromise for the efficiency of day to day tasks?
Quite a thought-provoking book.
April 28, 2023
(Audiobook Version) Great Sci-Fi horror. Finished it during a long walk.
October 25, 2023
<4/5> solid short story. dystopian and feels like an eerie foreshadowing of where technology is headed + some parallels to our reliance on smartphones/tech these days.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews