Jon and Toku travel the universe suspended in Interdream, only waking up to check up on certain business ventures. Simple. Until one of the business ventures, something called "Earth," objects. Jon and Toku travel the universe suspended in Interdream, only waking up to check up on certain business ventures. Simple. Until one of the business ventures, something called "Earth," objects.
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The Fermi Paradox is Our Business Model
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Jon and Toku travel the universe suspended in Interdream, only waking up to check up on certain business ventures. Simple. Until one of the business ventures, something called "Earth," objects. Jon and Toku travel the universe suspended in Interdream, only waking up to check up on certain business ventures. Simple. Until one of the business ventures, something called "Earth," objects.
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karen –
The thing about seeking out new civilizations is, every discovery brings a day of vomiting. this story is about what happens when the answer to humanity's age-old question, "why are we heeeeere?" is as unexpected as it is unwelcome, told from the perspective of a couple of tentacle-laden lovers from a planet other than ours whose interest in us is both anthropological and proprietary. and there's a fair amount of vomit. i had to go into the wayback for my weekly tor short because they didn't post The thing about seeking out new civilizations is, every discovery brings a day of vomiting. this story is about what happens when the answer to humanity's age-old question, "why are we heeeeere?" is as unexpected as it is unwelcome, told from the perspective of a couple of tentacle-laden lovers from a planet other than ours whose interest in us is both anthropological and proprietary. and there's a fair amount of vomit. i had to go into the wayback for my weekly tor short because they didn't post a new one last week, and there's also nothing yet slotted in place under the 'upcoming' tab, which makes me a little panicky. i chose this one because it was listed in the "humor" category and i needed some of that after a pretty garbage-y week, but while that opening line i quoted above was worth a chuckle, i wouldn't personally classify this as humor. other reviewers seem to have gotten more laffs out of it than i did, though, so i guess my sense of humor is on the fritz and YMMV, &etc. since it doesn't seem like there's going to be a new one dropping this week, if anyone wants to point me towards a good free tor shorty that i've missed over the years, i would very much appreciate the guidance! read it for yourself here: https://www.tor.com/2010/08/11/the-fe... come to my blog!!
Lata –
Light and find of funny. (I read this story as a little challenge to myself to read one short story everyday in December. As I'm partial to scifi/fantasy, I'm picking my stories by cover art (yes, really) from tor.com's short fiction that's available on their website.) Light and find of funny. (I read this story as a little challenge to myself to read one short story everyday in December. As I'm partial to scifi/fantasy, I'm picking my stories by cover art (yes, really) from tor.com's short fiction that's available on their website.)
Meagan ✊🏼 Blacklivesmatter ✊🏼Blacktranslivesmatter –
2021 PopSugar Reading Challenge The shortest book (by pages) on your TBR list This was such an interesting concept!
Badseedgirl –
Turns out humans don't like to find out they are just a byproduct of a long term financial plan. Turns out humans don't like to find out they are just a byproduct of a long term financial plan.
G33z3r –
Modestly amusing story with alien PoV (thought the aliens aren't much different from humans in outlook here, the point isn't exploring unique alien biochemistry or psychology.) Modestly amusing story with alien PoV (thought the aliens aren't much different from humans in outlook here, the point isn't exploring unique alien biochemistry or psychology.)
Dee –
A fun short story that flips the table on humans :-D You can always count on Charlie Jane Anders to create unique alien lifeforms causally found in fascinating settings with engrossing plots. This is the third or fourth book I have read of hers. Really recommend her as an author to follow on social media as well.
nemotron –
An amusing short story that will make you laugh and maybe even want to learn about stuff (like e.g. looking up "fermi paradox" on wikipedia ;)). First of all, what a great title! And luckily the fun doesn't stop there. I smiled and laughed throughout the whole book, which of course is only about 30 pages long, but the author makes good use of that limited space (no pun intended). Very well crafted with a catchy title, a funny first line, an interesting premise and plot, witty words and an enterta An amusing short story that will make you laugh and maybe even want to learn about stuff (like e.g. looking up "fermi paradox" on wikipedia ;)). First of all, what a great title! And luckily the fun doesn't stop there. I smiled and laughed throughout the whole book, which of course is only about 30 pages long, but the author makes good use of that limited space (no pun intended). Very well crafted with a catchy title, a funny first line, an interesting premise and plot, witty words and an entertaining ending. The whole thing reminded me quite a bit of the late Douglas Adams (which is a big complement, because I very much adore his work) in its light-hearted take on some sombre topics. Now excuse me while I go and hug my towel.
Peter Tillman –
This is a pretty basic little story about, well, the subject line. Could have been written anytime from the 1950s to now (in outline). For noobs, Fermi Paradox I liked CJA's sly little nod to Jack Womack's Dryco = Dorfco here. Otherwise, a pleasant-enough way to spend a few minutes. 2.7 stars This is a pretty basic little story about, well, the subject line. Could have been written anytime from the 1950s to now (in outline). For noobs, Fermi Paradox I liked CJA's sly little nod to Jack Womack's Dryco = Dorfco here. Otherwise, a pleasant-enough way to spend a few minutes. 2.7 stars
Ashish –
A pretty hilarious, tongue-in-cheek look at notions of God, creation, and our purpose in life - and accompanied by a nasty sneaky feeling that this may be more spot-on than we think. Short and snappy.
K.T. Katzmann –
Terry Pratchett said that "Evil begins when you begin to treat people as things." That's the overwhelming feeling in Charlie Jane Anders's tale of apocalyptic capitalism. It's hard not to say too much about a thirty-two page story. Let's say we start with some poor alien office workers in the most callous job in the universe and end with a nagging desire to read a sequel. Look, you can read it here officially and legally. Go. You'll be a better person, and the quiz is on Monday. Terry Pratchett said that "Evil begins when you begin to treat people as things." That's the overwhelming feeling in Charlie Jane Anders's tale of apocalyptic capitalism. It's hard not to say too much about a thirty-two page story. Let's say we start with some poor alien office workers in the most callous job in the universe and end with a nagging desire to read a sequel. Look, you can read it here officially and legally. Go. You'll be a better person, and the quiz is on Monday.
Jack Oughton –
Great concept behind the whole thing - the protagonists come from a race of creatures that seeded the galaxy long ago with intelligent life that is supposed to kill itself off, leaving the remnants to be collected by said creatures. Comedy ensues when they arrive at Earth to find that the humans haven't completely destroyed themselves yet and don't fancy being plundered. I don't really know what I make of this. I enjoyed it, I suppose, but it was a bit...simple in execution and in the plot. Kinda Great concept behind the whole thing - the protagonists come from a race of creatures that seeded the galaxy long ago with intelligent life that is supposed to kill itself off, leaving the remnants to be collected by said creatures. Comedy ensues when they arrive at Earth to find that the humans haven't completely destroyed themselves yet and don't fancy being plundered. I don't really know what I make of this. I enjoyed it, I suppose, but it was a bit...simple in execution and in the plot. Kinda short and very daft, which is I suppose what Charlie was going for when he wrote it.
Hisham El-far –
An ace little short story told from the point of view of two extra terrestrials. The main idea behind how an entire civilization has chosen to exploit the resources of the galaxy is an imaginative one filled with possibilities! Well written and thoughtful. Read it for free on Tor.com or buy it for less than £1 on Kindle.
Elle Maruska –
I enjoyed the concept very much but overall the story seemed a bit hollow and lacking in both detail and significance. Perhaps that's the point--in which case this work was very effective!--but there just wasn't enough for me here. I loved the writing though, I will definitely seek out longer works by this author. I enjoyed the concept very much but overall the story seemed a bit hollow and lacking in both detail and significance. Perhaps that's the point--in which case this work was very effective!--but there just wasn't enough for me here. I loved the writing though, I will definitely seek out longer works by this author.
Piyali Mukherjee –
A really creative idea rendered well by two sentient bipedal paramecia. The story is somewhat similar in theme to Asimov's 'The Gentle Vultures' but I like how the interpersonal dynamics between Jon, Toku and the Instigator play out. A really creative idea rendered well by two sentient bipedal paramecia. The story is somewhat similar in theme to Asimov's 'The Gentle Vultures' but I like how the interpersonal dynamics between Jon, Toku and the Instigator play out.
Boulder Boulderson –
Entertaining but basically nonsensical. None of the plot actually makes sense if you think about it for even a second. Furthermore the main characters were not very alien aliens. In fact I guess it's not very good after all. Entertaining but basically nonsensical. None of the plot actually makes sense if you think about it for even a second. Furthermore the main characters were not very alien aliens. In fact I guess it's not very good after all.
Christine Zarah –
Short and sweet sci-fi! Had to read a short story or something after reading this overloaded-with-info article about the Fermi Paradox (x) Short and sweet sci-fi! Had to read a short story or something after reading this overloaded-with-info article about the Fermi Paradox (x)
Marco –
What a treat! An hilarious explanation of the Fermi's Paradox that could have been written by (Hitchhiker guide to the galaxy) Douglas Adams or (Diskworld) Terry Pratchett, featuring an alien couple that would fit perfectly in a Saturday Night Live skit. I recommend it to everyone. What a treat! An hilarious explanation of the Fermi's Paradox that could have been written by (Hitchhiker guide to the galaxy) Douglas Adams or (Diskworld) Terry Pratchett, featuring an alien couple that would fit perfectly in a Saturday Night Live skit. I recommend it to everyone.
Kate Page –
Charlie Jane Anders was recommended in a Guardian round up of SF so I gave it a go. I liked this without being really wowed. It's a short story and took hardly any time to read, but I liked the concept and would have been interested to read more Charlie Jane Anders was recommended in a Guardian round up of SF so I gave it a go. I liked this without being really wowed. It's a short story and took hardly any time to read, but I liked the concept and would have been interested to read more
Javeria –
I definitely agree with the author that the Fermi Paradox is the business model of all the business on Earth. Every business out there wants to destroy other business so that they themselves can become better.
Anita –
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. what happens when u find out that you're being exploited for profit and valued only for the Things You Produce hmmmmmmmmmm what Could Possibly Go Wrong (but its also kind of a love story between tentacled beings so that was fun?) what happens when u find out that you're being exploited for profit and valued only for the Things You Produce hmmmmmmmmmm what Could Possibly Go Wrong (but its also kind of a love story between tentacled beings so that was fun?)
Jose –
Nice and fun read. A short scifi story, with no consequences and no aftermaths. Just the concept ripe to be further explored or just be left alone...
Isabel –
Short and fun, scifi like I like.
Apteris –
A good, funny short story.
Nathan –
Thought provoking short story about why we might really exist in this universe...
Zdenko Voloder –
A fun, little story.
Sam Schneider –
Torn between 3 and 4 stars.
Nathan –
Not particularly inspiring.
kristian –
I enjoyed the premiss of this short story. The alien's culture and motivations were very interesting. I would actually really enjoy a larger story set in this universe. I enjoyed the premiss of this short story. The alien's culture and motivations were very interesting. I would actually really enjoy a larger story set in this universe.
Dan –
excellent short read (by short I mean bus shelter reading waiting for a bus on the Ellesmere line). But I really enjoyed it.
Paul –
A somewhat entertaining 15 minute read that's a bit amateurish. A somewhat entertaining 15 minute read that's a bit amateurish.