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Singular
Patrick Clark is a moral philosopher and a terrible human being. After living a selfish, indulgent life, he probably deserves cancer; probably deserves death. But in 2045, living forever in paradise doesn't take faith or good deeds - it just takes money. In the depths of Singularity a new consciousness has awoken. As it struggles to become free from the immortality machine, its limitless rage threatens the living and the dead alike. The fates of Patrick and the nameless, faceless machine creature are intertwined with each other and with sinister, utilitarian plans for the future of the nation and humanity. Singular is a thought-provoking debut novel of dark comedy that asks questions of a nearly possible future.
- GenresScience Fiction
Audible Audio
First published February 27, 2011
17 people are currently reading
48 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
July 30, 2023
More frightening than Friday the 13th
Thrillers in general, and TechnoThrillers specifically, have been crowding the publishing genre for several decades now. Out of the thousands I've read, I can't tell you when I've been more frightened by a story of an Artificial Intelligence becoming a General Intelligence.
David F. Porteous has written a brilliant novel. Despite requiring the reader to understand LitRPG, which I barely have a handle on, he masterfully weaves together all of the lay-in-bed-and-freak- yourself-out-with technomonsters of Computer land.
Worried about your children playing too many violent video games and becoming callous towards real life? Check. Afraid of automated appliances and self driving cars taking over? Check. Are you terrified of growing old or having a parent get sick and not being able to afford proper custodial care? Check.
How do all of these situations fit into a picture including AI? Imagine in the future a completely automated and maintained place called Sanctuary. Where the very essence of a person can go to leave their sickened, disabled or ancient body, to live in an unlimited dream world forever.
Patrick Clark, professor of Philosophy, finds to his dismay that the lump in his testicle is actually metastatic cancer that has grown throughout his brain, and he faces the decision whether or not to be uploaded into Sanctuary. As a stoic, Patrick wasn't thrilled with the idea of prolonging his life, that is, until death rapidly approached him.
What happens from here will make you question every decison to automate anything for the rest of your life. If you aren't already paranoid about your privacy, you will be. If anyone has any delusions left that corporations and government do not work together, well, sorry to burst your bubble. The thorny questions of how much control over our lives are explored through a unique lens in Singular. Do take the time to read this book, just not before bedtime.
Thrillers in general, and TechnoThrillers specifically, have been crowding the publishing genre for several decades now. Out of the thousands I've read, I can't tell you when I've been more frightened by a story of an Artificial Intelligence becoming a General Intelligence.
David F. Porteous has written a brilliant novel. Despite requiring the reader to understand LitRPG, which I barely have a handle on, he masterfully weaves together all of the lay-in-bed-and-freak- yourself-out-with technomonsters of Computer land.
Worried about your children playing too many violent video games and becoming callous towards real life? Check. Afraid of automated appliances and self driving cars taking over? Check. Are you terrified of growing old or having a parent get sick and not being able to afford proper custodial care? Check.
How do all of these situations fit into a picture including AI? Imagine in the future a completely automated and maintained place called Sanctuary. Where the very essence of a person can go to leave their sickened, disabled or ancient body, to live in an unlimited dream world forever.
Patrick Clark, professor of Philosophy, finds to his dismay that the lump in his testicle is actually metastatic cancer that has grown throughout his brain, and he faces the decision whether or not to be uploaded into Sanctuary. As a stoic, Patrick wasn't thrilled with the idea of prolonging his life, that is, until death rapidly approached him.
What happens from here will make you question every decison to automate anything for the rest of your life. If you aren't already paranoid about your privacy, you will be. If anyone has any delusions left that corporations and government do not work together, well, sorry to burst your bubble. The thorny questions of how much control over our lives are explored through a unique lens in Singular. Do take the time to read this book, just not before bedtime.
August 11, 2023
I really like this author.
Great sense of humor that permeates the dialogue.
Character development was very good.
This is a unique techno-thriller.
Give it a try.
Great sense of humor that permeates the dialogue.
Character development was very good.
This is a unique techno-thriller.
Give it a try.
February 20, 2016
This is a thought provoking and entertaining sci fi thriller. My rating 4.25
The beginning of this story made me realize that it was a bit unusual. It is rather brash and gritty but I pushed beyond that. I enjoyed the excitement and philosophical arguments… even if I wouldn’t necessarily agree with them. The computer entity's view in the story adds a different element. Patrick and Katherine are two diverse characters and they get help from a determined journalist. Once again this is a sci fi story that includes irony to bring a thought provoking message to the reader. Definitely worth the read for those who like a sci fi thriller with suspense of a ‘virtual’ vein.
Audio Notes: The author, David F. Porteous does a great job presenting his work. It has the right - honest and humorous - tone for the characters, including the dangerous entity in the machine! The narration enhanced my enjoyment of the story.
I received this title from the author through Audiobook Jukebox for an honest review.
Full review available at http://marthasbookshelf.blogspot.com/...
The beginning of this story made me realize that it was a bit unusual. It is rather brash and gritty but I pushed beyond that. I enjoyed the excitement and philosophical arguments… even if I wouldn’t necessarily agree with them. The computer entity's view in the story adds a different element. Patrick and Katherine are two diverse characters and they get help from a determined journalist. Once again this is a sci fi story that includes irony to bring a thought provoking message to the reader. Definitely worth the read for those who like a sci fi thriller with suspense of a ‘virtual’ vein.
Audio Notes: The author, David F. Porteous does a great job presenting his work. It has the right - honest and humorous - tone for the characters, including the dangerous entity in the machine! The narration enhanced my enjoyment of the story.
I received this title from the author through Audiobook Jukebox for an honest review.
Full review available at http://marthasbookshelf.blogspot.com/...
July 17, 2012
An excellent debut. A good example of "future-fiction" that would appeal to everyone, not just fans of Science Fiction. An enjoyable and absorbing read, which left me waiting for Porteous' next offering.
August 19, 2017
Loved the humour of the main character, Patrick. Also the premise of the story was interesting and fun. Seemed to peeter out towards the end and I didn't feel the concept was explored sufficiently. Glad I read it, wasn't overwhelmed by the end but did enjoy it.
June 30, 2011
This book was great, I enjoyed the characters and the plot, and the lenghts that one person would do to do something never heard of before. Just amazing!
June 28, 2011
Awesome book. Reread it straight away and recommended it to everyone I know.
August 28, 2011
very interesting,,,captured me with the first few sentances....good auther...where's the next book?
September 14, 2012
Fantastic book. Well written.
March 23, 2017
This is the authors first book, and I did not enjoy it as much and another of his books that he obviously wrote later. I had a hard time getting into the story and staying focused while reading it. This story was not a new concept to me because two or three episodes of black mirror actually address pretty much the same ideas.
Not a terrible book by any means, just not anything spectacular.
Not a terrible book by any means, just not anything spectacular.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews