Dream Factory (short story)

Last updated
"Dream Factory"
Short story by Greg Egan
Country Australia
Language English
Genre(s) Science fiction
Publication
Published in Clarkesworld Magazine
Publication type Periodical
Media typePrint
Publication dateApril 2022

"Dream Factory" is a science-fiction short story by Australian writer Greg Egan, first published in the Clarkesworld Magazine in April 2022. It describes the development of an app to watch the dreams of pets. The short story was included in the collection Sleep and the Soul in 2023. [1] [2]

Contents

Plot

In the near future, people put electrodes in their pet's brains to make them do tricks. James intends to expose this as nonsense and uses the cat Pawpaw to programm an app, which shows the dreams of pets. But instead of the world realizing, that they should not mess with their brains, the app goes viral after the recommendation of a famous pop singer. James then begins to work on a fake decoy app to undermine his own success. [3] [4] [5] [6]

Reviews

Victoria Silverwolf wrote in Tangent Online that Egan "creates unusually plausible speculative technology, while also demonstrating a profound understanding of the cultural impact of social media". She further adds that "subtle hints of a near future when today’s disturbing trends have continued in an all too believable way add a sense of authenticity to a story that will appeal to many, whether or not they are ailurophiles." [3]

Karen Burnham wrote in Locus that the short story "might be a bit long for its premise, but it’s a great look at a modern day intersection of dif­ferent technologies." [4]

Russell Letson also wrote in Locus that the short story is a "a canny and rewarding hacking project." [5]

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References

  1. ↑ "Bibliography". 2024-04-09. Retrieved 2024-04-17.
  2. ↑ "Summary Bibliography: Greg Egan" . Retrieved 2024-04-19.
  3. 1 2 "Clarkesworld #187, April 2022 - Tangent Online". 2022-04-02. Retrieved 2024-11-07.
  4. 1 2 "Karen Burnham Reviews Short Fiction: Solarpunk, The Sunday Morning Transport, and Clarkesworld". Locus Online. 2022-07-01. Retrieved 2024-11-07.
  5. 1 2 "Russell Letson Reviews Sleep and the Soul by Greg Egan". Locus Online. 2023-04-28. Retrieved 2024-11-07.
  6. ↑ "Clarkesworld 187 - March 2022". sfrevu.com. Retrieved 2024-11-07.
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