Hardwired Humanity

by Sarah Wagner

The quest for knowledge drives men and women to do amazing things in the name of science but not all amazing things are good. There are always those who would use technology and scientific breakthrough to rule, to conquer. And there are always those who will fight back. We spend our days with machines in every pocket, on every wrist, jammed into every ear. We have become dependent on our technological wonders but, what happens when they start to wake? When they begin to talk back, to judge our actions. How will humanity measure up in the eyes of our creations? Follow these machines, or near machines, as they discover all that makes them human and what sets them apart. Standing on the threshold between man and machine, is it possible for a machine to be more more human than her creators? An inventor on the run learns the truth of his past and discovers how far he’ll go for what matters most. A former fighter pilot must overcome her limitations to save her passenger and bear witness to the rebirth of his planet. A young soldier learns the true cost of war and the lengths men will go to to claim victory. A woman crosses the threshold of scientific breakthrough and becomes something more than human. Artificial intelligences, machines that think, hurt, and question. They love despite the cost. They protect despite the danger. Follow these machines, or near machines, join Kora, Avery, and Shade on their journey to discover all that makes them human, even when they aren’t.

237 pages, Paperback

Published October 5, 2020

About the author

Born in Denver, Colorado, Sarah Wagner got her first taste of people watching from inside the 75 gallon tank that served as her playpen in her parents’ tropical fish store. She liked it so much, she continued to people watch whenever she could and it has led to some very interesting characters.

She got her first taste of science fiction early, thanks to her devoted Trekkie of a mom. Science fiction was her gateway genre, leading to fantasy, horror, and superheroes. She hopes to be able to pass this deep love along to her children.

Sarah spends her time torn between the worlds in her head and this one. Her husband and two sons do a wonderful job keeping her relatively grounded in this one. She writes in a little corner where clutter breeds and dust bunnies find refuge.

In what free time she can eke out, she loves to read and paint. She also runs an autism support group. You can find Sarah’s short stories, essays, and poems in a wide variety of publications including the Sha’Daa anthologies, Ruins Metropolis, and Chicken Soup: Grieving and Recovery. You can find Sarah online at www.sarahewagner.com, queenofmygeekdom.wordpress.com or follow her on Twitter @Shade53. She also writes for www.thegeekgirlproject.com .

Reviews

[JR Hagy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was really excited to read this book because Sarah and I went to high school together. I really liked the book, but I felt that the short story format took some getting used to. I was really starting to like the characters in the first story when it ended. It left me wishing that there was another book based on that world and those characters that I could go dig into. I had similar feelings after each of the longer stories. The final story a bit longer and very involved. I finally felt like I was getting enough details to make the story whole. The sorter stories weren't as interesting to me. They felt like filler between the larger stories.

Overall I'd give the book 4/5 stars and definitely recommend it to friends.