EDCMOOC discussion

The Solace Pill by Jason Werbeloff is our read for January. We will be discussing this on Saturday 7th February 2015 at 21:30 UK time (follow the twitter hashtag #edcmchat)

There is a free ebook download here http://books.noisetrade.com/jasonwerb...

Or, it's pretty cheap on Amazon (and Kindle download).

Any other sources?

Please post comments below.

Oh no, I've failed you again this month. I remembered I am meeting a friend this evening so won't be able to make the chat :(

I've got 40 pages into the book so far and it is very intriguing. Loads of themes so far on advertising, privacy, AI etc. One idea struck me that in the future what if our gadgets & printers did all our thinking for us. What's left of us? Do we just live in our memories? Or always trying to recapture that elusive perfect moment? Maybe the book goes on to explore that. Sorry, bit of a rushed contribution from me thins month!

Will see who's around later. I read it a couple of weeks ago so will refresh my memory. There were some interesting ideas there, seemed to vary in pace a bit.

I liked the idea, but I think the writer is a philosopher first and a novelist second. He should have stuck with a short story, I felt the novel "lose its steam" in the second half.
I enjoyed reading it for all the insights and questions it brought out, but I found the style irritating (except for the first part of the trilogy). For example, I think it was not necessary to repeat whole chapters.

My verdict: great ideas, poor execution.

I won't be there - sorry
Have a nice exchange

I think I'd agree Asta. There were almost too many ideas and I list track of the characters. Will be online later if anyone is about :-)

I had a few thoughts/questions:

Technology is used to free up their time allowing them to consume more. Are they really free?

Who was poorer, the printers or the gunge eaters?

Were the reprints really the same people?

The story reminded me a bit of the Replicants in Bladerunner - anything authentic was valued.

What do we need to do now to experience 'reality', what is 'reality'? -- or, what is the difference in quality between "in real life" and virtual engagements?

What was the Solace Pill for? Do we have an equivalent of the Solace Pill?

If we could reprint ourselves afresh any time, what advantages would it have?

I'm sorry but I'm not feeling well today. I won't be able to make it.

I think Asta is right on track. The story often gets lost in the philosophy. I found the entire 3rd book to be interesting and very confusing at the same time. I couldn't figure out what had just happened when I finished that section. Was this all a figment of George's mind, or did the group set things up so they'd get a "normal" George?

It seemed to me that the printers were kind of like the "beaming" that was a large part of Star Trek. I wondered as well if the person on the other side was really the same. Is a copy really "me"?

Sorry I won't be able to join today.

Rick

Chat postponed till Saturday 7th March - our group had a few prior commitments! Still sticking with the Solace Pill.

I am so glad for this news! I bought the book and have not had time to read it, so this postponement is perfect for me. Looking forward to 7 March.