"This contemplative read imaginatively explores the progression of technology into the realm of consciousness. "
The Consciousness Company by M. N. Rosen is a contemplative exploration of the advancement of technology into the realm of consciousness. From a familiar concept of meditation, mindfulness and apps to help you monitor both these things and record your thoughts and emotions come a near future development in technology that allows for technology to have direct interaction with your consciousness. Would having the opportunity to look back and reflect on all your conscious thoughts make you a better person? Or would it create an echo chamber that would encourage you to become more set in your ways and therefore create greater division? Could you trust a money making tech company to have such unfiltered access to your innermost being? Do they already, with the way people share their lives on social media? These are just a few of the questions I considered as I read this imaginative and philosophical book.
I liked how the author used the separation of the near future setting to take concepts that are in existence now (diary, mood tracking, mindfulness apps) and through a slightly shifted lens of advancement explores the ever growing importance of technology in our lives, potential further advancements of AI and the separation (if there is one) between the future of AI and living consciousness. The structure of this novel is unique in terms of how speech, thoughts and even the consciousness of animals are portrayed throughout. I did have to check the Orthographical note once or twice to remind myself whether I was reading the speech or the thoughts of a character. It’s also interesting how none of the characters are named. This is a helpful tool in anonymising the characters in a way that allows for the reader to be able to step into each person’s shoes but it is also quite othering, suggesting that once connected to the Consciousness Company the person loses their identity somewhat and just becomes a part of the product. In many instances it’s up to the reader to decide whether or not certain plot points like this are good or bad. It would make this book an interesting book club read.
The Consciousness Company is a philosophical and through-provoking read that I think benefits from a slower reading to allow you to consider the different facets of the story. Recommended for those looking for a futuristic morality puzzle of a story.
Charlotte Walker, A LoveReading Ambassador
| Primary Genre | Science Fiction |
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