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Cyber Seed #1.5
Funscreen
Every family has a Funscreen on their wall. The question is... who's watching who?
When the government's new private welfare system begins rewarding unemployed viewers for watching the right kind of ads, Roger Birch welcomes a Funscreen into his home.
Like millions of others, Roger and his family soon depend on ad-viewing income for their survival.
Unlike millions of others, the events of one uncomfortable evening leave Roger aware of the government's shadier reasons for investing in Funscreens.
With HD cameras hidden behind a 60-inch glass veil, the answer was staring him in the face all along...
When the government's new private welfare system begins rewarding unemployed viewers for watching the right kind of ads, Roger Birch welcomes a Funscreen into his home.
Like millions of others, Roger and his family soon depend on ad-viewing income for their survival.
Unlike millions of others, the events of one uncomfortable evening leave Roger aware of the government's shadier reasons for investing in Funscreens.
With HD cameras hidden behind a 60-inch glass veil, the answer was staring him in the face all along...
42 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 8, 2013
65 people are currently reading
145 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
August 9, 2018
Believable and Scary
Funscreen is a fantastic short story about a frightening future where advertisers reign over consumers by having them watch ads to earn credits. An interesting concept, well executed. This should be a full length novel. The author notes that it is related to another book of his called Sycamore, which has similar themes. This book is well written and topical. I've picked up the first Sycamore book and his Not Alone series. Looks like I've found a new favorite.
Funscreen is a fantastic short story about a frightening future where advertisers reign over consumers by having them watch ads to earn credits. An interesting concept, well executed. This should be a full length novel. The author notes that it is related to another book of his called Sycamore, which has similar themes. This book is well written and topical. I've picked up the first Sycamore book and his Not Alone series. Looks like I've found a new favorite.
October 30, 2014
I thought that this would be a full-fledged book. I was disappointed to find out it's just a short story. It works as a short story, but it's too short for any real conflict to develop.
Everyone has a Funscreen, a TV that is always watching you and provides ads in response to what you watch. You receive credits for watching. The protagonist is trying to get out of his welfare status by winning a big quiz.
What I don't get is why he immediately goes back to his previous behavior after he loses. I would have expected a temper tantrum at least. His apathy makes me think this is a lead-in to a book where he's a case study and the corporation/government is rubbing their hands and cackling manically at their success. The protagonist's son is even perfect as the potential young adult rebel who brings everything down.
Why oh why is the novel in my head so much better than the one I just read??
Everyone has a Funscreen, a TV that is always watching you and provides ads in response to what you watch. You receive credits for watching. The protagonist is trying to get out of his welfare status by winning a big quiz.
What I don't get is why he immediately goes back to his previous behavior after he loses. I would have expected a temper tantrum at least. His apathy makes me think this is a lead-in to a book where he's a case study and the corporation/government is rubbing their hands and cackling manically at their success. The protagonist's son is even perfect as the potential young adult rebel who brings everything down.
Why oh why is the novel in my head so much better than the one I just read??
November 24, 2023
Good stuff!
I am impressed with how well the author took such a mundane concept and turned it into a compelling story, with an over-arcing message about the perils of unchecked consumerism.
Given the state of advancements in technology the Funscreen seemed completely feasible, and frankly I wouldn’t be surprised if something similar didn’t already exist in some capacity.
Well done!
I am impressed with how well the author took such a mundane concept and turned it into a compelling story, with an over-arcing message about the perils of unchecked consumerism.
Given the state of advancements in technology the Funscreen seemed completely feasible, and frankly I wouldn’t be surprised if something similar didn’t already exist in some capacity.
Well done!
January 20, 2020
Interesting but...
I really didn't get a full sense of what was going on, who the characters were and what motivated their behavior. It felt like a teaser shown at the end of a book. I think it would have been better were it more fleshed out. As it is, we have no resolution, unless it's that the status quo remains.
I really didn't get a full sense of what was going on, who the characters were and what motivated their behavior. It felt like a teaser shown at the end of a book. I think it would have been better were it more fleshed out. As it is, we have no resolution, unless it's that the status quo remains.
October 28, 2024
Realistic?
In the world of modern smart home products, including smart tv, such a story seems prescient. Reminds me More than a bit of the book 1984, but brought up to date. it would not take much to make this scenario come to life. Imagine the political spying that would go on!
In the world of modern smart home products, including smart tv, such a story seems prescient. Reminds me More than a bit of the book 1984, but brought up to date. it would not take much to make this scenario come to life. Imagine the political spying that would go on!
November 10, 2017
A good, entertaining read.
April 5, 2019
Clever little short story single.
“Alexa, choose a new book for me to buy.”
“Alexa, choose a new book for me to buy.”
October 3, 2021
SF; Short Story; surveillance, futuretech.
June 5, 2023
Top Notch Science Fiction!
March 4, 2025
That was a dumb story.
March 8, 2017
Is this our future?
Clever story showing where things could go out of control with surveys and TV watching. Let's hope we don't really go there!
Clever story showing where things could go out of control with surveys and TV watching. Let's hope we don't really go there!
September 24, 2014
Does a getting paid to watch commercials sound like an easy source of income for welfare recipients? It's so easy, just install Funscreen on your TV and you'll get paid with credits so you can buy groceries or order from your favorite pizza delivery company. All you have to do is watch the next commercial, and the next commercial and give it a thumbs up or a thumbs down.
But be warned, it's not only tracking your thumb.
"You will receive no further placements from our good friends at Gut Busters. While we appreciate that you are happy at your current weight, visual input suggests that your jeans are a little tight. Our good friends at Mansize Clothing would love to show you their latest styles. You will receive 50 FunFare credits for viewing this placement." Roger raised his right thumb in agreement.
The author could have made this short story into a full book - it was very well written. I do believe this concept is the future for TV viewership but watch what you say, do or even think in front of the Funscreen because you never know who is watching.
But be warned, it's not only tracking your thumb.
"You will receive no further placements from our good friends at Gut Busters. While we appreciate that you are happy at your current weight, visual input suggests that your jeans are a little tight. Our good friends at Mansize Clothing would love to show you their latest styles. You will receive 50 FunFare credits for viewing this placement." Roger raised his right thumb in agreement.
The author could have made this short story into a full book - it was very well written. I do believe this concept is the future for TV viewership but watch what you say, do or even think in front of the Funscreen because you never know who is watching.
March 26, 2020
2 + 1/2 stars
March 23, 2014
A few years ago I saw a lecture online in which some big-time technology professional envisioned a [chilling, to me] future in which things like e-book reading or targeted advertising might allow viewers to earn points towards purchases. I don't know whether Craig A. Falconer has ever come across that same lecture, but this excellent short story basically expands upon a similar idea. Falconer crams a hell of a lot of big ideas into a deceptively simple tale, with surprisingly realistic characters.
My only real quibble is that there are a few bits of unconscious sexism. I'm not bothered that the Funscreen targets consumers in gendered ways -- that can be read as an on-point critique of how our own real-world advertising does the same -- but I am bothered about wives being depicted as naggers, in general. A quick rethink of that aspect, and this would have been a 5-star read.
My only real quibble is that there are a few bits of unconscious sexism. I'm not bothered that the Funscreen targets consumers in gendered ways -- that can be read as an on-point critique of how our own real-world advertising does the same -- but I am bothered about wives being depicted as naggers, in general. A quick rethink of that aspect, and this would have been a 5-star read.
September 3, 2014
Funscreen is a spinoff novella from the author's Dystopian novel, Sycamore. I saw the freaking crazy cover of Sycamore Sycamore 
and, of course, it caught my eye (extreme pun intended) ... so I figured I check out Funscreen first since it was a Amazon freebie.
Interesting enough that I went back and downloaded Sycamore even before I finished with this 60 page or so novella.
Funscreen is a scary look at what our technological future is becoming. I can only assume Sycamore will offer a deeper, more intense, look at the not-so-far-in-the-future-istic Big Brother is 'watching' technological hell we can be expecting.
and, of course, it caught my eye (extreme pun intended) ... so I figured I check out Funscreen first since it was a Amazon freebie. Interesting enough that I went back and downloaded Sycamore even before I finished with this 60 page or so novella.
Funscreen is a scary look at what our technological future is becoming. I can only assume Sycamore will offer a deeper, more intense, look at the not-so-far-in-the-future-istic Big Brother is 'watching' technological hell we can be expecting.
November 2, 2013
Picked this up as a freebie whilst scanning around short stories quite selfishly looking where my own works sat. The premise sounded interesting enough, very much in the vein of Charlie Brooker's Black Mirror television series, a kind of one step from reality, which, although quite a large step, leaves you with the 'it could actually happen' taste in your mouth.
I did enjoy it for the exercise in being entertained for half an hour that it was. As another reviewer wrote, I felt the ending let it down, but the rest of it was well written, thought out, and executed well enough, and at some point I will pick up the full length novel that this one relates to, because I like the cut of the author's jib, he's got some nifty ideas. Worth a look.
I did enjoy it for the exercise in being entertained for half an hour that it was. As another reviewer wrote, I felt the ending let it down, but the rest of it was well written, thought out, and executed well enough, and at some point I will pick up the full length novel that this one relates to, because I like the cut of the author's jib, he's got some nifty ideas. Worth a look.
December 27, 2013
Way to short! I want more! Thumbs up, thumbs up, thumbs up. The author has done it again, he hooked me with his first book SYCAMORE, that is a must read, a must see the direction we are heading in quickly. This one well even though I wanted more it got to the point of the matter very quickly, and he didn't need a whole lot of words to show us what should becoming clearer and clearer to us each and every day. Sure for some it may seem pretty far-fetched, but all you need to do is read the news and know that not too long ago it was discovered that there was a TV out there that was built with a camera with the ability to look back at you. We just have to be less excited about the COOL NEW THINGS, till we sit back and watch....
March 1, 2022
Nothing about the screen is fun. It's anything but fun. Just ask Roger Birch. It seemed he always needed credits, but he doesn't need the commercials reminding him he's overweight and convenitly shows him weight loss aids. He desperately wants to enter and win the monthly quiz of 10,000,000 FunFare credits. But the entrance fee is so out of reach it may as well be on the moon. This short story is entertaining but it begs the question: will this society become our way of life? Or has it already started? Or is it already here? Falconer's next edition to his Sizzler series is as well written as the previous ones. He always entertains his readers!
July 23, 2017
In the words of the author, 'Funscreen' is the shorter version of 'Sycamore' (my planned next book). So, I was naturally interested.
I will say this for the book. It has an ingeniously imagined premise and is set in the same cyber-world which I enjoyed so much in 'Daemon' and 'Ready Player One'.
Funscreen keeps you interested till the very end before it inexplicably falters. The book scores as a short story mainly because of the original and interesting theme. A better ending and it would have earned 5 stars easily.
I will say this for the book. It has an ingeniously imagined premise and is set in the same cyber-world which I enjoyed so much in 'Daemon' and 'Ready Player One'.
Funscreen keeps you interested till the very end before it inexplicably falters. The book scores as a short story mainly because of the original and interesting theme. A better ending and it would have earned 5 stars easily.
June 16, 2014
3.5 stars
This story makes me wonder what our future will be like... A lot of the elements here will probably happen in the future... The TV monitors your reactions to commercials and can then only show you the ones that you are likely to pay attention to... But that's not the only thing it monitors...
Heaven for advertising perhaps, but not so great for your personal life...
Great read!
This story makes me wonder what our future will be like... A lot of the elements here will probably happen in the future... The TV monitors your reactions to commercials and can then only show you the ones that you are likely to pay attention to... But that's not the only thing it monitors...
Heaven for advertising perhaps, but not so great for your personal life...
Great read!
February 22, 2016
This was a short story. The Funscreen is an interactive smarter Tv. It pays the viewer in credits for watching ads all day. Roger makes his money or credits by sitting and giving feedback all day. The Funscreen seems to watch his families every move and becomes like Big Brother. Intrusive and disturbing as a possibility in our future world. I was disturbed by how Roger's family life was ruled by the ubiquitous Funscreen.
July 6, 2016
It may be just coincidence that I haven't turned my television on for over a year, but anyone reading this little, not so innocent, story might think twice before so doing.
A well written and unsettling tale that has piqued both my interest and curiosity about the author's Sycamore series - more creepy, insidious technology to enjoy? reading about. Count me in!
A well written and unsettling tale that has piqued both my interest and curiosity about the author's Sycamore series - more creepy, insidious technology to enjoy? reading about. Count me in!
February 2, 2014
A very interesting and terrifying look at something that could very well be a part of our future. It is said that this short is a spin-off of a longer book (Sycamore) by the author. I will surely read that one in the near future.
January 4, 2015
It has all the ingredients of a full length novel yet wrapped up in a short story / novella format.
Loved it.
the author does a great job at painting a scary picture of the future (is it really the future??)
I look forward to read his other works ...
Loved it.
the author does a great job at painting a scary picture of the future (is it really the future??)
I look forward to read his other works ...
May 8, 2016
Wow!
This short story freaks me out because I can absolutely see this happening, even now. Just how much are we letting into our lives? I would certainly recommend this short story to anyone who enjoys cyber punk or dystopian novels.
This short story freaks me out because I can absolutely see this happening, even now. Just how much are we letting into our lives? I would certainly recommend this short story to anyone who enjoys cyber punk or dystopian novels.
February 2, 2017
A fast read
This is a great little short story if you're on a train or bus journey. Well thought out and ere are so many ways this could be developed into a full length novel, I wish there was more!
This is a great little short story if you're on a train or bus journey. Well thought out and ere are so many ways this could be developed into a full length novel, I wish there was more!
February 28, 2022
I Wonder
In almost prophetic words Falconer does wonders with his short stories and really makes you wonder how accurate his stories are from where we are at this present time and the direction of tech monitoring around us.
In almost prophetic words Falconer does wonders with his short stories and really makes you wonder how accurate his stories are from where we are at this present time and the direction of tech monitoring around us.
September 1, 2013
Heaven help us if the events in this story ever become true to life.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews