Autonomy

by Jean-Michel Smith

When Cal Sheldon puts himself into an artificial coma and loads his mind onto the advanced computer he and his university colleagues secretly designed, he leaves behind a dying Earth and discovers new life in the world they've created. This breakthrough gives rise to an underground community and launches an illegal scientific renaissance. But can they stay ahead of those who would destroy them? And do they have the courage to embrace a radical plan for survival, one that might give them the freedom they seek, but could cost them their very humanity?

Genres: Science Fiction

362 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2013

About the author

Jean-Michel Smith was born in Palo Alto, California, but lived many years in Chicago, which he considers his home town. After pursuing degrees in physics and engineering, he ultimately chose computer science and graduated with a BS from the University of Illinois, College of Engineering. His career as an IT architect and systems engineer has taken him to many countries across the Americas, Europe, and Asia. Published in France, his essays on free culture and collaborative endeavor appear in "LOGS: micro-fondements d'emancipation sociale et artistique." He is the author of "S3: The Smith Sexagesimal System" (using base-60 to enhance arithmetic intelligence) and the science fiction novel "Autonomy."

Reviews

[Matthew Bieniek · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't read much science fiction, and I attribute my slow start in reading this book to that fact. But once I began to see the situations that the large cast of characters were in, my interest in the story grew, and it became a read page-turner for me.

The idea that someone could transfer their mind into and out of an electronic device is a common idea. I've never considered that if the device was then upgraded to run faster, the more computational cycles in a shorter amount of time would have the effect of slowing time in the real world, so that the digital mind could experience days and weeks (or more) when only moments have passed in the real world. That was a real eye-opener to me, and it integrated well into the story.

Most of the characters were engaging, although the authority figures seemed to me a little stereotypical. I thought the book was well-written, and I would recommend it to anyone who likes a futuristic story and would not be put off by some detailed descriptions of the technology used.

[Lorna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very believable science fiction,