Radicalized by Cory Doctorow (published 2019) contains four short stories that encompass concepts of rebellion and social action. Dystopia is the common theme, although all of them seem to be pertinent and modern at the same time. He did an amazing job of condensing real issues from society today into fictional societies that still feel familiar.
First, the short story “Unauthorized Bread” examines the struggles of being poor in the midst of a society full of “smart” devices that ultimately limit freedom for those unable to afford it. Salima is a refugee in a futuristic America, and while she finally has public housing help, it turns out that the inconveniences are too expensive for her small budget. The smart toaster only allows approved bread. The smart dishwasher only allows approved dishes. This is how her government approved housing is subsidized for the landlords. But once the companies behind the smart devices go broke, suddenly the appliances no longer work. Salima finds ways to survive and to help her other poor friends survive, but this exposes her in undesirable ways. Salima is just trying to survive in a society that is making things harder than ever.
I loved this story. The concept of smart devices requiring brand-specific bread or dishes seems like such a small step from where we are today. Can companies get any greedier? Salima and her friends were completely loveable and relatable. It’s a further commentary on how the hard-working poor really do want to improve life for themselves and others. And I really enjoyed the resolution to the story. In some ways, things were not solved, but people in this dystopia did find ways to work with others, and that is a testament to the goodness of people. Also, although this is a dystopian world, the socialism of society at least was trying to help people, so that was also a positive for me about the world in this story.
“Model Minority” follows a Superman-type figure (American Eagle) as he strives to right social wrongs, specifically racism. Why hadn’t American Eagle, who is now hundreds of years old, helped during the Civil Rights Movement? Why is he taking a stand about police brutality now? These are the questions society has for the Eagle as he does take an interest in an unfair situation. The end result of American Eagle helping is his own ostracism, losing the things he cares about, because society still too divided on the appropriate response to racism, including what actual is unfair. No one seems to care as does the American Eagle, and he only has gotten in the way.
This story was frustrating for me, which is I’m sure how the author intended me to feel. The title of the story certainly refers to American Eagle himself as the minority, the model of a hero for everyone else, and yet he is not appreciated. Even the man who had been assaulted by police is not happy about American Eagle’s involvement. Social justice is one thing that the superhero cannot resolve. Imagine being that powerful but still powerless. That is what this story is about.
“Radicalized” takes on health insurance as bitter citizens make a stand against wrongful denials with violence. This one was painful in the fact that there was violence. Joe becomes well involved with an online chat site about people who have been denied life-saving medical care by insurance. While Joe’s wife’s cancer went in to remission, so many others lost their loved ones because of the medical care being denied. Thus, Joe cannot seem to let up on his involvement, especially when he finds that others in the group are encouraging violence against the insurance companies. Can Joe stop them? As a result, he is now tied up with the radical group, even though he hasn’t done anything violent himself. Is one radical for trying to support others in mourning? How does one then help social media strangers from pursuing a path of violence? Is Joe himself a radical? This one left me with a shiver.
Finally, “The Masque of the Red Death” is an Armageddon story, in which Martin provides a utopia for a select few to survive. But survival is not quite as utopian as he imagined. The title of this story refers to the Edgar Allan Poe story of the same name: to save themselves from plague, people gather into a ballroom, only to be confronted by death after all. That should tell you how Martin’s story goes! His story is definitely believable and a bit creepy. But, I found him unlikeable, so the ultimate fate and ending was satisfying to the extreme!
Cory Doctorow’s stories were engaging glimpse into societies that are different and yet so similar to my own. Which of these is most likely to happen? Probably Martin’s attempt to escape societal collapse. Or, maybe the plague of violence against insurance executives. While there is no true superhero, as in “Model Minority,” in some respects the battle in that story is still and always will be ongoing. Could bread ever become “unauthorized”? Doctorow gives some great food for thought. I won’t forget these stories quickly.
Get Radicalized at Amazon.com.
