Carmichael Library Sci-Fi (Virtual) Book Club discussion

Finished with chapters 3 and 4? Discuss here.

Plot twist. Now we know what it is and where it came from. Women suffragettes in Egypt? Like the idea but is there any basis for this? AI rights. At what point does a smart machine turn from a machine into a slave? Reminds me of Star Trek Data. There was an episode where they questioned his free will. Seems far fetched that a tram car would have rights just because it can run without human directions.

I saw the suffragettes as part of the alternate history that the author has created for Cairo. In a world where some of the population considers robot-like beings as autonomous equals, it doesn't feel like a stretch to me that there would be suffragettes.

Still, I agree that the idea of a tram car having rights is weird because it doesn't have the ability to do anything other than act as a tram car and how can it communicate or express itself? Does it have consciousness? Since it is "haunted," is what they are attempting a form of exorcism then since the tram car is considered a being with rights?

I actually found some references to women’s suffragettes in Egypt. In “ A background to the feminist movement in Egypt” in Al Raida
. Spring 1992;10(57):11-3. The abstract says “ By 1914, there were 14 magazines devoted to women's issues. Women participated in anticolonial movements and nationalist party activities while continuing to advocate improvements in women's status. In 1924, Egypt became the 1st Islamic country to deveil women without state intervention. The Egyptian Feminist Party was founded in 1923, and the Women's Political Party was established in 1942 to coordinate the fight for women's equality and the revision of family law. “. Great to learn something new.

Thanks for the historical info!

I just finished chapters 3 and 4. I'm liking it so far. I especially like an alternate world where it seems Egypt is the center.