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joekuy's review against another edition
5.0
Gary Bengier's Unfettered Journey is a paradox of sorts. Without giving away any spoilers, I'll say that it tip-toes back and forth between an interesting textbook (particularly in the Philosophy / Math sections) and a sci-fi novel that lives in both the past the future. Socio-economic status is explored, AI and consciousness expounded upon, and asks a wonderful question - what's important with little is at stake?
Overall, I found Mr. Bengier's novel to be a fascinating and thoughtful read. At times, it is jarring when philosophical prose gives way to a few lines explaining how a character is reaction to a situation followed by more prose, but it is worth it to stick with this novel. I found traction around the second part and quickly finished it afterwards.
If you have interests in higher learning or are looking for an excellent book club read, please check it out!
Overall, I found Mr. Bengier's novel to be a fascinating and thoughtful read. At times, it is jarring when philosophical prose gives way to a few lines explaining how a character is reaction to a situation followed by more prose, but it is worth it to stick with this novel. I found traction around the second part and quickly finished it afterwards.
If you have interests in higher learning or are looking for an excellent book club read, please check it out!
bremaura's review against another edition
5.0
Theoretical mathematics, artificial intelligence, romance, dystopian/utopian, philosophy, physics, and more! I had a bit of trouble getting into this book as it started with a lot of theoretical math, philosophy, and physics. Most of the beginning scholarly stuff went over my head (my degree is in Psychology). I'm glad that I slogged through!
The book follows Joe, a man who is often "in his head" as he sets out to determine if Artificial Intelligence can become conscious. Along his journey, he learns more about what it means to be human. Unfettered Journey gives a glimpse of where our society may be headed as we become increasingly dependent on technology and disconnected from others.
The book follows Joe, a man who is often "in his head" as he sets out to determine if Artificial Intelligence can become conscious. Along his journey, he learns more about what it means to be human. Unfettered Journey gives a glimpse of where our society may be headed as we become increasingly dependent on technology and disconnected from others.
bokil's review against another edition
4.0
Unfettered Journey is a genre-crossing thrill of a novel. From the deep desert to outer space, this book keeps you on your toes of what will come next. Simultaneously, it dives deep into a question that could very well be the question for the century: what is consciousness? Bengier clearly has a deep knowledge of many of these aspects and works diligently to delicately introduce complex stepping stones to the reader along the way.
sadiereadthat's review
I received a copy of this book in exchange for a review.
While this book seemed to be well written, it was very much about computers and artificial intelligence and that kind of thing. This type of book is definitely not for me. I really wish I'd known before I got it so it could have gone to someone who might be a better fit.
While this book seemed to be well written, it was very much about computers and artificial intelligence and that kind of thing. This type of book is definitely not for me. I really wish I'd known before I got it so it could have gone to someone who might be a better fit.
pagebypaigereviews's review
3.0
"The world seems designed to keep conscious creatures skating on the edge of unknowing."
Unfettered Journey follows Joe as he tackles some mathematical and philosophical questions on his sabbatical that he's been struggling with for a while. While he's at Lone Mountain College, he is delighted to meet many like-minded professors, as well as have some unexpected run-ins with a group of people who are protesting against the Level Acts, which award each person a different set of advantages depending on the "level" that they are born into.
This book addresses questions such as: what does it mean to be conscious? Can consciousness be created artificially? And, in a world where almost everything is provided for you at no cost, how do we find our own purpose?
I didn't really get into this book until I was halfway through it, but from then on I enjoyed it. There is a lot of discussion about mathematical and philosophical topics that mostly went over my head. The section about survival was my favorite part to read. But if you enjoy math, philosophy and futuristic-dystopian ideas, this is totally the book for you!
I won a copy of this book from Goodreads Giveaways, so thank you Goodreads and Gary F. Bengier!
Mature content: death, violence, moderate sensuality, sexual innuendo.
Unfettered Journey follows Joe as he tackles some mathematical and philosophical questions on his sabbatical that he's been struggling with for a while. While he's at Lone Mountain College, he is delighted to meet many like-minded professors, as well as have some unexpected run-ins with a group of people who are protesting against the Level Acts, which award each person a different set of advantages depending on the "level" that they are born into.
This book addresses questions such as: what does it mean to be conscious? Can consciousness be created artificially? And, in a world where almost everything is provided for you at no cost, how do we find our own purpose?
I didn't really get into this book until I was halfway through it, but from then on I enjoyed it. There is a lot of discussion about mathematical and philosophical topics that mostly went over my head. The section about survival was my favorite part to read. But if you enjoy math, philosophy and futuristic-dystopian ideas, this is totally the book for you!
I won a copy of this book from Goodreads Giveaways, so thank you Goodreads and Gary F. Bengier!
Mature content: death, violence, moderate sensuality, sexual innuendo.
bastinian's review
3.0
There is a brilliant novel hidden within Unfettered Journey, however this book seems to suffer from a lack of focus.
At its core, Unfettered Journey is a story about AI scientist Joe Denkensmith as he explores the concepts of consciousness, philosophy, and mathematics to confirm the existence of free will. Wrapped around that is a plot involving a love story, social inequality, and a very evil lawman who likes to crash parties.
Separately, both the overarching plot and the philosophical narrative interwoven within it are enjoyable reads. However, I don't feel that Bengier was successful in his stitching of those two threads together. It's clear that his message was thoroughly researched, and it's clear that he cares very much for his characters. However, it's also very clear when, as the narrator, Bengier is being the professor and when he's being the author.
Ultimately, Unfettered Journey is a worthwhile read. However, it could have used another layer of polish to help smooth out some of its tonal differences.
At its core, Unfettered Journey is a story about AI scientist Joe Denkensmith as he explores the concepts of consciousness, philosophy, and mathematics to confirm the existence of free will. Wrapped around that is a plot involving a love story, social inequality, and a very evil lawman who likes to crash parties.
Separately, both the overarching plot and the philosophical narrative interwoven within it are enjoyable reads. However, I don't feel that Bengier was successful in his stitching of those two threads together. It's clear that his message was thoroughly researched, and it's clear that he cares very much for his characters. However, it's also very clear when, as the narrator, Bengier is being the professor and when he's being the author.
Ultimately, Unfettered Journey is a worthwhile read. However, it could have used another layer of polish to help smooth out some of its tonal differences.
bract4813mypacksnet's review
4.0
Unfettered Journey is set in the future, after the Climate Wars. It’s the story of a scientist, Joe, who works for the AI Ministry and specializes in artificial intelligence, specifically looking at creating robot consciousness. He hits a wall in his research and decides to take a sabbatical at Lone Mountain College, a small California college. Rather than the former caste system, a system of “levels” exist, and people cannot marry outside of their level. At the college, Joe is unwittingly drawn into an anti-level movement.
The world is as richly imagined as the Bladerunner movie. Robots hover everywhere and provide all services humans need. Personal Intelligent Physical Assistants (Pipabots) are assigned to each person and take care of the mundane issues humans face daily. People, due to the shortage of actual jobs (caused by the proliferation of robots), work only 12 hours a week. They have a corneal connection call the NEST, which functions as a computer screen and brings up “the latest fashions from Chicago. A rising-star painter from Atlanta.” The leading story, though, is about a “woman tragically killed in Texas, the seventh accidental death this year.”
There are long passage of philosophical discussion, and I was torn by these. I enjoyed reading about ideas I hadn’t thought about since studying philosophy in college. On the other hand, I skimmed some of them, feeling they slowed down the pacing of the novel.
Overall a book that kept me reading and the story was fascinating.
The world is as richly imagined as the Bladerunner movie. Robots hover everywhere and provide all services humans need. Personal Intelligent Physical Assistants (Pipabots) are assigned to each person and take care of the mundane issues humans face daily. People, due to the shortage of actual jobs (caused by the proliferation of robots), work only 12 hours a week. They have a corneal connection call the NEST, which functions as a computer screen and brings up “the latest fashions from Chicago. A rising-star painter from Atlanta.” The leading story, though, is about a “woman tragically killed in Texas, the seventh accidental death this year.”
There are long passage of philosophical discussion, and I was torn by these. I enjoyed reading about ideas I hadn’t thought about since studying philosophy in college. On the other hand, I skimmed some of them, feeling they slowed down the pacing of the novel.
Overall a book that kept me reading and the story was fascinating.
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