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AI Diaries #1
Turing Test
Imagine alien AI Observers have infiltrated Earth to evaluate humanity.
Imagine the Observers are more human than we are.
Mark Ai goes to work every day as a PC repairman, but fixing computers is just a cover job. Along with his mission managing the observation team, he's attempting to fill in as a parent for a teenage neighbor, provide a good home for a dog, and pick up a little money on the side. It's a juggling act that understandably leads to breaking a few rules, but things really start spinning out of control when competing aliens arrive.
Imagine the Observers are more human than we are.
Mark Ai goes to work every day as a PC repairman, but fixing computers is just a cover job. Along with his mission managing the observation team, he's attempting to fill in as a parent for a teenage neighbor, provide a good home for a dog, and pick up a little money on the side. It's a juggling act that understandably leads to breaking a few rules, but things really start spinning out of control when competing aliens arrive.
191 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 5, 2018
706 people are currently reading
345 people want to read
About the author
E.M. Foner
59 books246 followersI wrote Date Night on Union Station while taking a break from work on a science fiction epic I've been struggling with for years. The goal was to cheer myself up and to find out if there is still an audience for a science fiction comedy that gets its laughs from dialogue and funny situations rather than from gross-outs and shocks. As many readers have pointed out, the EarthCent series could be rated PG under the old fashioned system, no bloodshed, no graphic sex, no four letter words. And after years of imagining a galaxy for my epic in which multiple human civilizations are at war with each other, it did me a world of good to write about a galaxy where most people are just trying to make a living and find some joy in life. I received so many requests to extend the Date Night universe into a series that I put aside my epic for an extended period to write a sequel, Alien Night on Union Station. The events take place five years after the conclusion of Date Night, and the plot involves a mix of business, diplomacy, gaming and family relations. As a bonus, we finally get to meet Kelly's mother. After the positive response to Alien Night, I wrote a third book for the series, High Priest of Union Station, which is currently in the editing stage and due out in mid-October. I just started a book that extends the EarthCent galaxy with a different mission and cast of characters, though they may intersect at some point.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 131 reviews
January 9, 2020
Alien observers and humor
I've read E.M. Foner books which are better than others but I've never read a bad one. Not only is this one not bad, it is better than Foner's quite good average. Think of it as similar to a Dorothy Gilman Mrs. Pollifax story with artificial intelligences and aliens instead of a grandmotherly CIA agent and you would be pretty close to the mark. Secret alien observers, potential alien invaders or maybe just con artists, adventure and a healthy dose of humor make this one a winner.
I downloaded this book via Kindle Unlimited.
I've read E.M. Foner books which are better than others but I've never read a bad one. Not only is this one not bad, it is better than Foner's quite good average. Think of it as similar to a Dorothy Gilman Mrs. Pollifax story with artificial intelligences and aliens instead of a grandmotherly CIA agent and you would be pretty close to the mark. Secret alien observers, potential alien invaders or maybe just con artists, adventure and a healthy dose of humor make this one a winner.
I downloaded this book via Kindle Unlimited.
April 3, 2018
Fantastic!
I was reluctant to read this as I was sure it wouldn’t compare to my union station friends - but I ended up absolutely loving it!! He’s just a fun writer with a wonderful talent for creating characters that make you happy. Sci fi at its best - reminds me of the reason I started reading the old books as a kid. And now I can’t wait for the next in this series : )
I was reluctant to read this as I was sure it wouldn’t compare to my union station friends - but I ended up absolutely loving it!! He’s just a fun writer with a wonderful talent for creating characters that make you happy. Sci fi at its best - reminds me of the reason I started reading the old books as a kid. And now I can’t wait for the next in this series : )
March 12, 2018
Excellent
What a fun read, the AI's are more human than the humans. I am looking forward to the next book. Keep the series going. An easy, fun and relaxing read.
What a fun read, the AI's are more human than the humans. I am looking forward to the next book. Keep the series going. An easy, fun and relaxing read.
March 11, 2018
Lots of fun.
A good light read that still makes you think. I love the premise and it was great fun to read.
A good light read that still makes you think. I love the premise and it was great fun to read.
March 31, 2018
Once again, Mr. Foner writes a book that makes you laugh, feels like a lite read, but makes you think about the human condition for days after you finish. If you aren’t familiar with his work, you are missing out!
July 5, 2020
A fun sci fi story
This is just the kind of fun story I needed right now. Aliens and AI and spunky humans make a great combo.
This is just the kind of fun story I needed right now. Aliens and AI and spunky humans make a great combo.
July 6, 2020
DNF, bailing at 27% on this free ebook. Started interesting and amusing, but I am bored now.
It's not bad, as stories go, so far. I like the prose, I just want a more interesting story than a bunch of fake human AI studying humans and acting human, mostly. The MC is fairly dorky considering how old he/it is supposed to be. Oh well, it was worth a try.
It's not bad, as stories go, so far. I like the prose, I just want a more interesting story than a bunch of fake human AI studying humans and acting human, mostly. The MC is fairly dorky considering how old he/it is supposed to be. Oh well, it was worth a try.
November 21, 2019
I quite liked the idea behind the book and I couldn’t help liking the main characters, especially eBeth, but at times I struggled with the story.
I know the book was meant to be amusing, but I couldn’t decide if the author intended the AI’s stupid behaviour to be serious or funny. In the first half of the book I quite often found myself think ‘why are they doing this’?
The second half of the story is a bit more logical or maybe I just got used to the writers style, but I still think the author is trying too hard to be humorous.
If possible I would have given 2.5 stars.
I know the book was meant to be amusing, but I couldn’t decide if the author intended the AI’s stupid behaviour to be serious or funny. In the first half of the book I quite often found myself think ‘why are they doing this’?
The second half of the story is a bit more logical or maybe I just got used to the writers style, but I still think the author is trying too hard to be humorous.
If possible I would have given 2.5 stars.
July 6, 2020
Tongue in Cheek Romp Through Aliens and AI
This book kept me chuckling and smiling from start to finish. A team of AI are sent to Earth to evaluate its readiness to become part of LOSERS. And then the fun begins. Mark AI is the team leader of Observers who are all on probation. Mark, his teammates, and their human compatriots are well developed characters. The universe view is developed as the story progresses.
This was fun to read and thoroughly enjoyable. Think of it as the antithesis of many dystopian sci-fi stories.
This book kept me chuckling and smiling from start to finish. A team of AI are sent to Earth to evaluate its readiness to become part of LOSERS. And then the fun begins. Mark AI is the team leader of Observers who are all on probation. Mark, his teammates, and their human compatriots are well developed characters. The universe view is developed as the story progresses.
This was fun to read and thoroughly enjoyable. Think of it as the antithesis of many dystopian sci-fi stories.
December 26, 2019
I have to tell you, I really enjoy this writer. E.M. Foner, has a way of writing science fiction characters that are extremely relatable. After having read most of the Union Station books, I decided give this new series a try, and it's wonderful. They are stylistically very similar to Union Station in some ways and yet fresh enough to warrant a read. I look forward to reading the rest of the series and finishing off Union Station in 2020. If you like SciFi with a heart and a good healthy dose of humor, check out E.M. Foner. Loved it!
July 3, 2018
kindle unlimited, not sure how I came across this one, but did understand the Turing reference so wanted to read it, bit too slow in places or too much extraneous detail but between a 4 or a 5 it went more toward a 5, even though I actually somewhat guessed the very end part {then again I have read thousands of books, and each year read in the hundreds}
Imagine alien AI Observers have infiltrated Earth to evaluate humanity.
Imagine the Observers are more human than we are.
Mark Ai goes to work every day as a PC repairman, but fixing computers is just a cover job. Along with his mission managing the observation team, he's attempting to fill in as a parent for a teenage neighbor, provide a good home for a dog, and pick up a little money on the side. It's a juggling act that understandably leads to breaking a few rules, but things really start spinning out of control when competing aliens arrive.
Imagine alien AI Observers have infiltrated Earth to evaluate humanity.
Imagine the Observers are more human than we are.
Mark Ai goes to work every day as a PC repairman, but fixing computers is just a cover job. Along with his mission managing the observation team, he's attempting to fill in as a parent for a teenage neighbor, provide a good home for a dog, and pick up a little money on the side. It's a juggling act that understandably leads to breaking a few rules, but things really start spinning out of control when competing aliens arrive.
January 5, 2021
Utterly Charming
EM Foner does it again! An absolutely charming read about AI observers on Earth who go just a little bit native. Mark and eBeth are adorable.
If you like a little science with your fiction, but don't feel like reading about endless pitched space battles, overly complicated political plots, or alien abduction erotica, ahem, I mean 'romance,' then dive into one of Foner's signature feel-good sci-fi anti-dramas. If you love seriously real (and wonderful) characters, friendly, sentient AI, intriguingly complex, but not mind-bendingly difficult-to-follow, plot lines, and dogs, you'll love this book.
Also, If you're going through EarthCent Universe withdrawal, definitely give it a read.
EM Foner does it again! An absolutely charming read about AI observers on Earth who go just a little bit native. Mark and eBeth are adorable.
If you like a little science with your fiction, but don't feel like reading about endless pitched space battles, overly complicated political plots, or alien abduction erotica, ahem, I mean 'romance,' then dive into one of Foner's signature feel-good sci-fi anti-dramas. If you love seriously real (and wonderful) characters, friendly, sentient AI, intriguingly complex, but not mind-bendingly difficult-to-follow, plot lines, and dogs, you'll love this book.
Also, If you're going through EarthCent Universe withdrawal, definitely give it a read.
July 30, 2018
Turing Test was an unexpected wonderful read, engAGING TO THE LAST page. I read this after the union station series and did not expect much. I waas pleasantly surprised. The characters are engagingly drawn to wonder about, the usual assumptions clearly spelled out as otherwise, and the idiocycrasies of 'major' characters full of subtle jokes. I would recommend this book to anyone for its interesting characters, which is why I read science fiction, and its interesting 'science' versus magic a la Aurther Clarke means of moving from planet to planet. It's a fun book!
October 9, 2019
Humans, observer's, aliens & LIBRARY Oh My!
Mark and his team of AI's come to earth to observe them for internship
into the LIBRARY. Gos through all kinds of hijinks getting earth to pass.
Then the jokers come into play, landing on earth for... what else fun & games.
All at the humans expense. Now it's a hyper race to get earth accepted by
the LIBRARY to protect them from these Alien RIP off artist' s. The AI team pull
Out all the stops, no holds bard. In this sci- fyi adventure of hijinks galore. A great & fun read.
Debra H.
Mark and his team of AI's come to earth to observe them for internship
into the LIBRARY. Gos through all kinds of hijinks getting earth to pass.
Then the jokers come into play, landing on earth for... what else fun & games.
All at the humans expense. Now it's a hyper race to get earth accepted by
the LIBRARY to protect them from these Alien RIP off artist' s. The AI team pull
Out all the stops, no holds bard. In this sci- fyi adventure of hijinks galore. A great & fun read.
Debra H.
April 15, 2018
What a delightful story! Another very engaging positive story from E.M. Foner. If you're looking for an imaginative story that will keep you engaged and leave you with happy positive thoughts, then read this book. I'm also reading the Union Station series books from this author - also very imaginative, positive, and engaging. If you're reading this, E.M., please continue with another series with these characters from Turing Test.
Very highly recommend.
Very highly recommend.
May 1, 2018
Fun Read
This is the third book by Foner I’ve read, and I’ve enjoyed them very much. I like a variety of types of science fiction, including humorous, and Foner’s books have much humor in them. Having a protagonist who is not all-knowing and always correct is a fun departure from the norm. This light story reads quickly and is very entertaining. I look forward to reading more books by this author.
This is the third book by Foner I’ve read, and I’ve enjoyed them very much. I like a variety of types of science fiction, including humorous, and Foner’s books have much humor in them. Having a protagonist who is not all-knowing and always correct is a fun departure from the norm. This light story reads quickly and is very entertaining. I look forward to reading more books by this author.
October 3, 2019
Very good story!!
But I don't like writing these stupid reports. This may be one of those good stories that I re-read. Actually, if a book is pretty good I'll do a re-read if I get bored and can't find a new book. Still a little new to kindle plus or whatever it's called, I'll see if I can read all the books in the areas that I like. So far, I think I'm getting my money's worth.
But I don't like writing these stupid reports. This may be one of those good stories that I re-read. Actually, if a book is pretty good I'll do a re-read if I get bored and can't find a new book. Still a little new to kindle plus or whatever it's called, I'll see if I can read all the books in the areas that I like. So far, I think I'm getting my money's worth.
March 23, 2018
More Please!
I so did not want this story to end! It was lovely and I am deeply hopeful that this will become a series. So much more to be explored. The book was fun, fascinating, got my imagination going and I read it in a day. Couldn't stop myself.
I LOVE the Station series by this author but this was even better.
I so did not want this story to end! It was lovely and I am deeply hopeful that this will become a series. So much more to be explored. The book was fun, fascinating, got my imagination going and I read it in a day. Couldn't stop myself.
I LOVE the Station series by this author but this was even better.
July 12, 2018
Ya did it again! Great job
Was worried this would be too like the Union Station novels. No and yes, no in that the characters are completely different as well as the plot development, though it could be argued the plots the same. Only the absolute bare bones version of it maybe. Loved it, good read
Was worried this would be too like the Union Station novels. No and yes, no in that the characters are completely different as well as the plot development, though it could be argued the plots the same. Only the absolute bare bones version of it maybe. Loved it, good read
August 29, 2018
Now this is SciFi entertainment
I get tired of reading SciFi stories dealing with man's last chance to survive come on people their is so many SciFi ideals branch out some. Enough I am off the soap box but I hope someone else jumps on it but back to this book very entertaining interesting premise and engaging characters great job sir
I get tired of reading SciFi stories dealing with man's last chance to survive come on people their is so many SciFi ideals branch out some. Enough I am off the soap box but I hope someone else jumps on it but back to this book very entertaining interesting premise and engaging characters great job sir
June 20, 2018
The problem with making friends with fictional characters is that a few hours later, the book ends, and you never see them again. All of the primary characters in this book were people I enjoyed spending time with, and I am deeply sad that I'll quite likely never find out what happened next.
November 11, 2022
People on this planet look at you funny if you access their Internet without using any devices.
What a cute little story. Yes, that may sound odd considering the truly galactic events and importance of what is all going on the fore/background of our tale - ranging from Earth being "observed" by human-appearing AI units to first contact with a con-focused alien race rushing in at light speed (or beyond even) to even discovering about 3 other planets filled to the brim with rescued humans. But E.M.Foner keeps the tone and flow of "Turing Test" decidedly light and, well, for lack of a better term, cute! Group hug anyone?
The humans just let a talking giant panda and some self-selected elites dictate the terms for bringing faster-than-light travel to the planet.
There's really nothing in this tale that qualifies if you will for dramatic tension at all. That's not to say it's either dull or slow-moving, it - the story I mean - just kind of exists and chugs along as if nothing odd is going on at all! There's nothing to really get the mobs all loaded up with torches and pitchforks happening and really, you can't disagree with many of the observations either (particularly when it comes to our driving and stupid infatuation with smartphones). Further to this, the writing (oh yeah, we still need to address that in reviews, don't we?) is both rich and smooth-flowing. But this is not a story that will ever qualify as space opera, Italian opera or even a soap opera. You will - and should - read this book for fun. I COMMAND YOU TO HAVE FUN, DAMMIT!
We spent the rest of the drive home discussing the commercial opportunities for carbon paper in the greater galaxy.
And whereas it's definitely a 'humorous' book, there's no real moments of OH HA HA, LOL or even ROFL humor at all. It's more polite fun and general jocularity if you want to look at it that way. The most outright comedic part of the entire story is the on-going use of the acronym indicated below, which, as you'll no doubt agree, holds very little water when compared to others of the genre. This includes my own favorite from the "Red Dwarf" series, namely, The Committee for the Liberation and Integration of Terrifying Organisms and their Rehabilitation Into Society. For those of you not familiar with the truly immortal episode featuring same, I'll let you rely on your own decoder rings to figure it all out.
I’m actually here as an Observer to evaluate humans for the League of Sentient Entities Regulating Space.
It is also very amusing that Foner begins his tale - more or less - with a recounting by the crew of the approximately 7 or 8 Primary Directives for our disguised A.I. units, which - sometimes even in the course of them being presented - are quite obviously being ignored without exception. Oh well, what can you expect from folks that plagiarize Wikipedia to make their final report concerning the worthiness and very future of our species? Maybe one lesson from all of this that we're supposed to derive is that despite what the Hankers try to tell everyone, these extremely advanced sentient beings - their words, not mine - are at their core very fallable and definitely more 'human' than perhaps even they're willing to admit! Using that word as a decriptive and not to be taken literally (or as an insult) at all!
I’d have to remember to ask Kim if baking was a communicable disease among women.
So in conclusion, with eBeth having checked all these notes herself, this is an entertaining and very smooth read. I'm definitely heading off right now to take a gander (or is it a goose?) at Book 2. And this time, I promise the author that I will not let the book sit, alone and covered in dust in my TBR pile, waiting to be rediscovered and given a chance within - by my estimate - 2 or so years after I originally downloaded it! Hahaha… oops! All kidding aside - but only barely - this is really fun stuff folks! Enjoy!
What a cute little story. Yes, that may sound odd considering the truly galactic events and importance of what is all going on the fore/background of our tale - ranging from Earth being "observed" by human-appearing AI units to first contact with a con-focused alien race rushing in at light speed (or beyond even) to even discovering about 3 other planets filled to the brim with rescued humans. But E.M.Foner keeps the tone and flow of "Turing Test" decidedly light and, well, for lack of a better term, cute! Group hug anyone?
The humans just let a talking giant panda and some self-selected elites dictate the terms for bringing faster-than-light travel to the planet.
There's really nothing in this tale that qualifies if you will for dramatic tension at all. That's not to say it's either dull or slow-moving, it - the story I mean - just kind of exists and chugs along as if nothing odd is going on at all! There's nothing to really get the mobs all loaded up with torches and pitchforks happening and really, you can't disagree with many of the observations either (particularly when it comes to our driving and stupid infatuation with smartphones). Further to this, the writing (oh yeah, we still need to address that in reviews, don't we?) is both rich and smooth-flowing. But this is not a story that will ever qualify as space opera, Italian opera or even a soap opera. You will - and should - read this book for fun. I COMMAND YOU TO HAVE FUN, DAMMIT!
We spent the rest of the drive home discussing the commercial opportunities for carbon paper in the greater galaxy.
And whereas it's definitely a 'humorous' book, there's no real moments of OH HA HA, LOL or even ROFL humor at all. It's more polite fun and general jocularity if you want to look at it that way. The most outright comedic part of the entire story is the on-going use of the acronym indicated below, which, as you'll no doubt agree, holds very little water when compared to others of the genre. This includes my own favorite from the "Red Dwarf" series, namely, The Committee for the Liberation and Integration of Terrifying Organisms and their Rehabilitation Into Society. For those of you not familiar with the truly immortal episode featuring same, I'll let you rely on your own decoder rings to figure it all out.
I’m actually here as an Observer to evaluate humans for the League of Sentient Entities Regulating Space.
It is also very amusing that Foner begins his tale - more or less - with a recounting by the crew of the approximately 7 or 8 Primary Directives for our disguised A.I. units, which - sometimes even in the course of them being presented - are quite obviously being ignored without exception. Oh well, what can you expect from folks that plagiarize Wikipedia to make their final report concerning the worthiness and very future of our species? Maybe one lesson from all of this that we're supposed to derive is that despite what the Hankers try to tell everyone, these extremely advanced sentient beings - their words, not mine - are at their core very fallable and definitely more 'human' than perhaps even they're willing to admit! Using that word as a decriptive and not to be taken literally (or as an insult) at all!
I’d have to remember to ask Kim if baking was a communicable disease among women.
So in conclusion, with eBeth having checked all these notes herself, this is an entertaining and very smooth read. I'm definitely heading off right now to take a gander (or is it a goose?) at Book 2. And this time, I promise the author that I will not let the book sit, alone and covered in dust in my TBR pile, waiting to be rediscovered and given a chance within - by my estimate - 2 or so years after I originally downloaded it! Hahaha… oops! All kidding aside - but only barely - this is really fun stuff folks! Enjoy!
October 8, 2024
The concept is that a galactic alliance of civilizations is secretly evaluating humanity to get entry-level participation in an interstellar portal system (not yet disclosed to humans.) The evaluation is being carried out by AI's disguised as humans. In the past, these particular AI's have failed to follow some of the rules for these kinds of evaluation assignments, and on Earth they're again bending or breaking various of the rules for evaluation teams. Meanwhile, as the evaluation approaches its end and the alliance is scheduled to make a decision, another interstellar species - that specializes in being merchants and making deals that are bad for worlds who are not yet space-faring - shows up on Earth.
The story has humor regarding humans, the AI's interactions with humans that (in violation of the rules) know the AI's are from other worlds, interactions with a pet dog, the various ways in which different AI's violate the rules, how the protagonist AI doesn't perceive that another AI is attracted to him (while others do notice this), etc.
It's not a typical "evaluation of a new planet" story. Tourism is a major reason for the interstellar portal system, and the decision about Earth becoming part of it isn't something Earth has a say in. There's no invasion or conquest, but alien tourists will come with or without human approval. Humans may get some alien tech, but generally it's considered better for a species to develop their own tech (and sometimes that means something better than what others have.) It's a different perspective.
Partly, the title refers to the fact that some of the humans find it amusing that AI's are evaluating humanity to see if it meets a standard.
The story has humor regarding humans, the AI's interactions with humans that (in violation of the rules) know the AI's are from other worlds, interactions with a pet dog, the various ways in which different AI's violate the rules, how the protagonist AI doesn't perceive that another AI is attracted to him (while others do notice this), etc.
It's not a typical "evaluation of a new planet" story. Tourism is a major reason for the interstellar portal system, and the decision about Earth becoming part of it isn't something Earth has a say in. There's no invasion or conquest, but alien tourists will come with or without human approval. Humans may get some alien tech, but generally it's considered better for a species to develop their own tech (and sometimes that means something better than what others have.) It's a different perspective.
Partly, the title refers to the fact that some of the humans find it amusing that AI's are evaluating humanity to see if it meets a standard.
July 8, 2020
This was a very entertaining book. It says I"m reading the Kindle edition, which is wrong - it is the Nook edition. A group of artificial intelligences disguised as humans is on earth gathering information as to whether earth is ready to join an extraterrestrial league that uses 'portals' for instantaneous transmission between worlds. The narrator is their leader, who has started to 'go native' - he's adopted a dog, as well as befriending a teenage girl who lives across the hall; she has more savvy than he does, when she doesn't have her nose in a video game. He also owns a restaurant/bar, where he trains his wait staff to get jobs at resorts on other planets (usually called Australia.) When an alien ship lands, promising to sell FTL drive for a mere mountain of gold, they all have to put their exit plans in effect. I enjoyed the cast of characters very much. It sort of petered out at the ending a bit, but is still worth a read.
August 3, 2020
DNF 15%
I'm a big fan of robots in Sci-Fi, dating back to I. Asimov novels. So I guess what bugged me in this novel was that the robots act like people with computer hacking superpowers instead of like computing machines. It's just not very interesting. Especially when the hacking is so over the top as to be ridiculous.
Also, the opening is very confusing. The protagonist apparently is supposed to conceal that he's an alien, but has revealed himself to several people (no explanation). He is supposed to follow the rules of the society he is observing but he apparently violates them whenever he wants. So it's confusing how much of what's happening is normal or not in the world the author created.
I'm a big fan of robots in Sci-Fi, dating back to I. Asimov novels. So I guess what bugged me in this novel was that the robots act like people with computer hacking superpowers instead of like computing machines. It's just not very interesting. Especially when the hacking is so over the top as to be ridiculous.
Also, the opening is very confusing. The protagonist apparently is supposed to conceal that he's an alien, but has revealed himself to several people (no explanation). He is supposed to follow the rules of the society he is observing but he apparently violates them whenever he wants. So it's confusing how much of what's happening is normal or not in the world the author created.
May 21, 2021
I am a fan of Foner's Union Station books even though I don't think they're written that well. The stories lack conflict or real stakes most of the time but there's usually enough amusing stuff and they're pretty short too.
I finally decided to give this other series a try and didn't really enjoy it as much. I think because most of the characters are AI androids they're not as relatable as the mostly human characters of Union Station. Combine that with the lack of conflict or stakes and it's a bland read. It literally took me four months to get through it and I didn't really miss it
I finally decided to give this other series a try and didn't really enjoy it as much. I think because most of the characters are AI androids they're not as relatable as the mostly human characters of Union Station. Combine that with the lack of conflict or stakes and it's a bland read. It literally took me four months to get through it and I didn't really miss it
February 16, 2022
Foner, E. M. Turing Test. AI Diaries No. 1. Kindle, 2018.
E. M. Foner is an Indie author who has a deft touch with scifi humor. Mark, the protagonist of Turing Test, seems to be an average tech support guy. He is a little too good at his job though, because he is an undercover AI construct and part of a multispecies team checking out humanity for its readiness to join the galactic community, quick before some non-affiliated scammers show up to sell us an FTL drive that won’t work. Mark’s biggest problem is keeping himself and his team from going too native. Good luck with that. The premise is not terribly original, but Foner handles it well. 3.5 stars.
E. M. Foner is an Indie author who has a deft touch with scifi humor. Mark, the protagonist of Turing Test, seems to be an average tech support guy. He is a little too good at his job though, because he is an undercover AI construct and part of a multispecies team checking out humanity for its readiness to join the galactic community, quick before some non-affiliated scammers show up to sell us an FTL drive that won’t work. Mark’s biggest problem is keeping himself and his team from going too native. Good luck with that. The premise is not terribly original, but Foner handles it well. 3.5 stars.
July 19, 2020
Relaxing Amusement
An unique, wry, scifi comedy, Turing Test introduced the reader to interestingly odd characters who interacted like people in a traditional comedy of errors as they pursued their independant agendas, breaking all the rules under the nose of their AI supervisor, Mark. Little drama here, so no real feels or big laughs. Nonetheless, the reader can enjoy a sense of satisfaction at how everything turns out. Gentle reading for a relaxing afternoon that might please teenagers through adults. Nothing offensive to worry about.
An unique, wry, scifi comedy, Turing Test introduced the reader to interestingly odd characters who interacted like people in a traditional comedy of errors as they pursued their independant agendas, breaking all the rules under the nose of their AI supervisor, Mark. Little drama here, so no real feels or big laughs. Nonetheless, the reader can enjoy a sense of satisfaction at how everything turns out. Gentle reading for a relaxing afternoon that might please teenagers through adults. Nothing offensive to worry about.
April 28, 2021
A nice blend of humor and science fiction
This was a fun book to read. Alien AI are on Earth studying humans to see if they can become LOSERS. The term will make sense soon enough, but this is one of the fun things about this book. The head AI, Mark, is oblivious to everything going on. Pay attention to the rules when they're stated. Then remember them as as you read.
The ending was great and I now know there are two more books if I'd like to read further adventures. The book is well worth the read which I hadn't expected.
This was a fun book to read. Alien AI are on Earth studying humans to see if they can become LOSERS. The term will make sense soon enough, but this is one of the fun things about this book. The head AI, Mark, is oblivious to everything going on. Pay attention to the rules when they're stated. Then remember them as as you read.
The ending was great and I now know there are two more books if I'd like to read further adventures. The book is well worth the read which I hadn't expected.
August 28, 2021
Clever tale that's fun to read
First off, if your looking for EarthCent and Union Station, you won't find it here.
What you will find is artfully evolving plot lines with insights only modern life and a story that peels back layer after ever more interesting layer.
Turing Test has a gaggle of very interesting characters who learn and adapt with the help of each other and grow together as they form a solid them to take on the their next assignment while building a coherent universe where literally anything can happen.
First off, if your looking for EarthCent and Union Station, you won't find it here.
What you will find is artfully evolving plot lines with insights only modern life and a story that peels back layer after ever more interesting layer.
Turing Test has a gaggle of very interesting characters who learn and adapt with the help of each other and grow together as they form a solid them to take on the their next assignment while building a coherent universe where literally anything can happen.
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