Techno-Life 2020: A Day In The World Of Tomorrow by Lois Gresh
01/03/2002 . Source: Jane Palmer 
pub: ECW Press. 205 page enlarged paperback. Price: $22.95 (US). ISBN: 1-55022-459-X. European distributor - Turnaround. Buy from Amazon US - Buy from Amazon UK
nb: US titles may only be available from Amazon US, and UK titles from Amazon UK. ave enough wealth to ignore them or fall through the cracks in
a society fractured all the way down to the bedrock of poverty.
The first part of the book is a novella that deals
with the consequences of being able to indulge self-interested and
irrational fantasies about perfection and total comfort. The author
also touches on the less palatable truths invoked about the possibility
of how severely damaged humans may be treated.
There is always a risk of being over-simplistic when
dealing with the speed of technological advance. Often the basic
bloody-mindedness of human beings is not taken into account when
it comes to change that makes inroads into their lives.
Perhaps not so much on the other side of the Atlantic:
explanations and references here are geared specifically for the
North American market. The European reader will probably enjoy the
speculation then go back to counting their euros. (It would be useful
to know how much this book retails for in sterling - if not the
euro.)
The desire to have plastic children, hopefully, does
not have the same imperative for everyone. Put tasty food before
many human beings and, like their lab counterparts, they will eat
it regardless of calories. Tell the same people to shell out the
greater portion of their income to become dependent on this ‘advanced’
technology, even though it may include the gene for weight loss,
and they would probably learn to love themselves as couch potatoes.
The author's humour frequently casts a cool look at
her contentious subject. Joe Leinster's libido is fixated on a fish
with a routine that would have made Mae West blush. The story is
also a validation for everyone who nurses contempt for superficially
dull people who, having a nothing else to recommend them, aspire
to visual perfection.
Following the novella is an unneeded chapter explaining
the motives of these characters - they speak eloquently enough for
themselves. While there is a comprehensive and informative bibliography,
an index would have also been useful for the non-fiction half of
the book.
Overall, I preferred the dissertation that discusses
in detail, amongst other things, the consequences of germline intervention
in the human embryos, techniques to inhibit ageing, transgenics,
biomimetics, advances in computing and nanotechnology.
Lois Gresh has an impressive track record when it
comes to elucidating these fields without technobabble. She's obviously
well informed and draws the line at jumping wholeheartedly at progress
regardless of cost, also appreciating that many people find it an
anathema.
‘TechnoLife 2020’ is sponsored by The Canada Council,
Ontario Arts Council and Government of Canada and is an impressive
a fusion of fiction and speculation about a world that future technology
may have in store for some of us who can afford it.
The things that most concern people are usefully put
into a context that is easily digestible for the layperson and it
is a highly recommended read for anyone intrigued, or a little dismayed,
by the rapid development of technology.
Jane Palmer
Check out website: www.ecwpress.com
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