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A review by oleksandr
Infinite Detail by Tim Maughan
2.0
This is a near future triller/post-apoc SF novel, which theGuardian chose as the best SF novel of 2019.
The story is split in two parallel plotlines, titled Before and After, with the latter taking about 3/4th of the book.
Before is about our increased reliance on internet, including the Internet of things (your smart fridge ordering groceries) and the corresponding increase in surveillance, both by government and private companies. This part is well-written for the author is a journalist who follows the tech developments. It has nice pieces e.g. about losers of increased reliability on smart cities: a minor character is a canner in NY, i.e. he collects used cans and bottles for recycling. When a smart credit system is introduced that gives credit for recycling only to the buyer of a can, he is out of job (despite there are still cans to utilize). But even more important the system follows you, the buyer, knowing where and when you got thirsty and where and when you drop your trash. While the book is great in giving the reader an idea about how her/his privacy is violated constantly right now, it was said quite a few times in non-fic. Unlike [b:Little Brother|954674|Little Brother (Little Brother, #1)|Cory Doctorow|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1349673129l/954674._SY75_.jpg|939584] he doesn’t suggests ways to evade surveillance.
After is a decade after the internet is down (why and how is uncovered about the middle of the novel). The life is harsh, for our utilities, our phones, a sizable fraction of what we buy has internet as its essential part. The global trade is down and stuff like Nike shoes becomes nigh impossible get. The post-apoc future is quite ‘usual’ survival of the fittest with marginal groups with guns bossing everyone around. Also there is an important aspect the sub-cultures of electronic music and graffiti – I hate the former (I prefer ‘love’ – from jazz to rockabilly) and see the latter more often then not as a form of vandalism and not an artistic expression (yes, there is a good stuff like Banksy, but for each there are hundred of gang names and the like).
Overall, the novel was good in delivering the message that you’re unprotected from big business using your data as their wish, but it is not now enough for me to justify high ratings.
The story is split in two parallel plotlines, titled Before and After, with the latter taking about 3/4th of the book.
Before is about our increased reliance on internet, including the Internet of things (your smart fridge ordering groceries) and the corresponding increase in surveillance, both by government and private companies. This part is well-written for the author is a journalist who follows the tech developments. It has nice pieces e.g. about losers of increased reliability on smart cities: a minor character is a canner in NY, i.e. he collects used cans and bottles for recycling. When a smart credit system is introduced that gives credit for recycling only to the buyer of a can, he is out of job (despite there are still cans to utilize). But even more important the system follows you, the buyer, knowing where and when you got thirsty and where and when you drop your trash. While the book is great in giving the reader an idea about how her/his privacy is violated constantly right now, it was said quite a few times in non-fic. Unlike [b:Little Brother|954674|Little Brother (Little Brother, #1)|Cory Doctorow|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1349673129l/954674._SY75_.jpg|939584] he doesn’t suggests ways to evade surveillance.
After is a decade after the internet is down (why and how is uncovered about the middle of the novel). The life is harsh, for our utilities, our phones, a sizable fraction of what we buy has internet as its essential part. The global trade is down and stuff like Nike shoes becomes nigh impossible get. The post-apoc future is quite ‘usual’ survival of the fittest with marginal groups with guns bossing everyone around. Also there is an important aspect the sub-cultures of electronic music and graffiti – I hate the former (I prefer ‘love’ – from jazz to rockabilly) and see the latter more often then not as a form of vandalism and not an artistic expression (yes, there is a good stuff like Banksy, but for each there are hundred of gang names and the like).
Overall, the novel was good in delivering the message that you’re unprotected from big business using your data as their wish, but it is not now enough for me to justify high ratings.