DownloadThe Portobello Bookshop Gift Guide 2024

Communications Breakdown

SF Stories about the Future of Connection

Jonathan Strahan editor

Format:Paperback

Publisher:MIT Press Ltd

Published:24th Oct '23

Should be back in stock very soon

Communications Breakdown cover

This collection presents a thought-provoking exploration of future communication, examining how technology shapes human connections and relationships. Communications Breakdown invites readers to reflect on these changes.

This anthology explores the future of communication and how evolving relationships with technology may reshape our fundamental need to connect with one another. Edited by Jonathan Strahan, it features contributions from some of the most esteemed science fiction writers, who delve into the implications of communication in an increasingly digital world. The stories reflect on the complexities of human interaction and the potential for both connection and disconnection in the face of technological advancements.

Through various narratives, the collection poses important questions about access and control in a future where communication may not be equitable. As cyberpunk legend William Gibson aptly noted, the future is already present but unevenly distributed, prompting readers to consider who benefits from advancements and who is left behind. The anthology serves as a reminder of humanity's capacity to innovate while also highlighting the risks associated with technological dependence.

In addition to the compelling fiction, the book includes an insightful interview with digital privacy advocate Chris Gilliard, conducted by journalist Tim Maughan. This conversation further enriches the exploration of communication vulnerabilities in our modern age. With contributions from notable authors such as Cory Doctorow and Ian McDonald, the anthology is a thought-provoking examination of the evolving landscape of communication and its implications for humanity.

Included in Publishers Weekly's Fall 2023 Adult Announcements: SF, Fantasy & Horror list

"With stories ranging from zany and intense. . . . there’s plenty to chew on here."
Publishers Weekly

"Stellar stuff."
Irish Times

“Engrossing tales.”
Physics World

ISBN: 9780262546461

Dimensions: 229mm x 154mm x 15mm

Weight: 271g

224 pages