When a documentary filmmaker finds herself propelled twenty years into the future, will she discover a world better or worse than the one she left behind?
The story itself was very well written, and enjoyable. I was able to put myself in Yumiko’s shoes, and feel the anguish she felt, and then the joy and relief when her daughter found her.
I found this a touching story. Perhaps even more than the main character’s plight, I found myself moved by the way the story echoed the boundless optimism about the future reflected by the science fiction of the 1950s. But I think that Yogi Berra said it best: “The future isn’t what it used to be.” I was unable to buy this vision of the future; haven’t been able to for many years. I find the dystopian vision much more likely.
That pessimism is exactly what the Seat 14C anthology was designed to combat in its small way — in fact, the whole reason XPRIZE exists is to encourage these kinds of hopeful projects in the real world. Maybe it won’t succeed, but we have to try.
I suppose I have the advantage of checking in a third of the way along the timeline (2017 to 2024 is seven years… tempis sure fugits). Have you seen San Francisco lately?
My first professional story, from 1993, posited a far-right fascist candidate winning the presidency in a surprise upset in 2009. It took eight extra years in that case, but I can still say it’s no damn fun to have a prediction like that one come true. I'd have preferred being right on "Last"! https://shunn.substack.com/p/from-our-point-of-view-we-had-moved
I agree that the political landscape is dismal, but I find the behavior of the Biden-Harris administration much more objectionable than its predecessor's.
The story itself was very well written, and enjoyable. I was able to put myself in Yumiko’s shoes, and feel the anguish she felt, and then the joy and relief when her daughter found her.
Loved this. I remember reading it the first time when it came out.
I found this a touching story. Perhaps even more than the main character’s plight, I found myself moved by the way the story echoed the boundless optimism about the future reflected by the science fiction of the 1950s. But I think that Yogi Berra said it best: “The future isn’t what it used to be.” I was unable to buy this vision of the future; haven’t been able to for many years. I find the dystopian vision much more likely.
That pessimism is exactly what the Seat 14C anthology was designed to combat in its small way — in fact, the whole reason XPRIZE exists is to encourage these kinds of hopeful projects in the real world. Maybe it won’t succeed, but we have to try.
I suppose I have the advantage of checking in a third of the way along the timeline (2017 to 2024 is seven years… tempis sure fugits). Have you seen San Francisco lately?
My first professional story, from 1993, posited a far-right fascist candidate winning the presidency in a surprise upset in 2009. It took eight extra years in that case, but I can still say it’s no damn fun to have a prediction like that one come true. I'd have preferred being right on "Last"! https://shunn.substack.com/p/from-our-point-of-view-we-had-moved
I agree that the political landscape is dismal, but I find the behavior of the Biden-Harris administration much more objectionable than its predecessor's.
Interesting.
A very civil response. Thank you!