Review of Terms of Service
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Kayla Archer
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Review of Terms of Service
[Following is a volunteer review of "Terms of Service" by Craig W. Stanfill.]
Kim: careful, obedient, disciplined. At least, that’s how Kim typically is when her friend Shan is not nearby. Otherwise, Kim performs her familiar routine -- the same motions, job, and events each week. Typical. Predictable. Kim. She is precisely the type of citizen the Director desires in a Virtual Reality community. Ever since the AI (Artificial Intelligent) Wars, AIs strictly supervise humans and their interactions with others to avoid any more conflict.
But one day, Kim decides to spend time with Shan. Being avid cyclists, they meet and embark on a long, exciting bike trail they haven’t traveled since grade school. Along the way, they observe a sign that reads “exclusion zone.” Instead of turning around, Kim and Shan choose to press on, knowing their microchips will notify them if they are out of bounds. Surprisingly, the pair receive no such warning and discover real money, a real dog, guarded buildings, and fenced-in communities. This choice will lead to a downward spiral for Kim and Shan as they realize it was all a setup.
While Shan’s punishment is more work, Kim is surprised to find she has the honor and privilege to create an AI of her own! But, as this AI becomes more sophisticated, Kim begins to see how lies manipulate the world she lives in and how little free will there is. Craig W. Stanfill’s Terms of Service: Subject to Change Without Notice is a mind-boggling novel featuring a futuristic dystopian society.
I was mesmerized by how many futuristic and utopian authors came to mind while I pored over this book. When Kim awakens, her house completely takes care of her. The housebot delivers her coffee exactly when she desires it; the fridge provides a healthy, balanced meal without thought; computers provide clothing and food because of a microchip in Kim’s wrist. Ray Bradbury’s “There Will Come Soft Rains” immediately popped into my mind as I read this introduction. Even though the humans have perished, the house continues living. Stanfill eerily caught the same atmosphere in Terms of Service.
“Unity, Community, Equality! All are One When One is All” is chanted throughout Stanfill’s story, a monumental plunge for equality to the extreme. Frank Vonnegut’s “Harrison Bergeron” focuses on a society so absorbed with equality, they handicap those with more distinguished talents than others. More capable individuals wear weights to restrict them; beautiful individuals wear masks to cover their features; intelligent individuals wear helmets that disturb their thoughts. Stanfill presents similar ideas in Terms of Service when the characters avoid being “selfist” or having a gender preference. There’s no “I” or “me” for humans. Only “we” or “us” is permitted when addressing oneself, which completely erases all individualism. “Being the oddball was never wise, even if you were right” (Stanfill 12). There is barely any human interaction. Practically all interactions are engaged in Virtual Reality settings to be observed by AIs.
Kim’s struggle with her past unravels throughout the story. As we learn more about Kim and her birth mother, I observed streams of likeness to Lois Lowry’s The Giver. Babies are born and raised by their birth parents until they are four; then, they are handed over to a mentor to be trained and groomed for the world of AI.
This book captivated my attention from the start. It’s an incredibly compelling story that causes the reader to ponder the AI world. I experienced Kim's emotions as she uncovered secrets and discovered truths about herself and the world around her. The connections I felt with Kim and the other authors mentioned generated a fascinating story. Periodically the settings were challenging to interpret because they dealt with Virtual Reality. I also thought this story was a long, slow read. As captivating as it was, it took a long time to advance the plot. It was, however, well-edited. There are instances of erotic encounters, drug use, and expletives in this story, so mature audiences are recommended. Overall, I believe this book deserves a 5 out of 5 stars for its unique and ingenious plot.
Bradbury, Vonnegut, and Lowry fans will enjoy this story because of its ties to dystopian literature. Artificial Intelligence lovers will equally enjoy this book because of the unique correlations to the virtual world. But do be warned: this book is rated M for mature audiences.
******
Terms of Service
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on iTunes
Kim: careful, obedient, disciplined. At least, that’s how Kim typically is when her friend Shan is not nearby. Otherwise, Kim performs her familiar routine -- the same motions, job, and events each week. Typical. Predictable. Kim. She is precisely the type of citizen the Director desires in a Virtual Reality community. Ever since the AI (Artificial Intelligent) Wars, AIs strictly supervise humans and their interactions with others to avoid any more conflict.
But one day, Kim decides to spend time with Shan. Being avid cyclists, they meet and embark on a long, exciting bike trail they haven’t traveled since grade school. Along the way, they observe a sign that reads “exclusion zone.” Instead of turning around, Kim and Shan choose to press on, knowing their microchips will notify them if they are out of bounds. Surprisingly, the pair receive no such warning and discover real money, a real dog, guarded buildings, and fenced-in communities. This choice will lead to a downward spiral for Kim and Shan as they realize it was all a setup.
While Shan’s punishment is more work, Kim is surprised to find she has the honor and privilege to create an AI of her own! But, as this AI becomes more sophisticated, Kim begins to see how lies manipulate the world she lives in and how little free will there is. Craig W. Stanfill’s Terms of Service: Subject to Change Without Notice is a mind-boggling novel featuring a futuristic dystopian society.
I was mesmerized by how many futuristic and utopian authors came to mind while I pored over this book. When Kim awakens, her house completely takes care of her. The housebot delivers her coffee exactly when she desires it; the fridge provides a healthy, balanced meal without thought; computers provide clothing and food because of a microchip in Kim’s wrist. Ray Bradbury’s “There Will Come Soft Rains” immediately popped into my mind as I read this introduction. Even though the humans have perished, the house continues living. Stanfill eerily caught the same atmosphere in Terms of Service.
“Unity, Community, Equality! All are One When One is All” is chanted throughout Stanfill’s story, a monumental plunge for equality to the extreme. Frank Vonnegut’s “Harrison Bergeron” focuses on a society so absorbed with equality, they handicap those with more distinguished talents than others. More capable individuals wear weights to restrict them; beautiful individuals wear masks to cover their features; intelligent individuals wear helmets that disturb their thoughts. Stanfill presents similar ideas in Terms of Service when the characters avoid being “selfist” or having a gender preference. There’s no “I” or “me” for humans. Only “we” or “us” is permitted when addressing oneself, which completely erases all individualism. “Being the oddball was never wise, even if you were right” (Stanfill 12). There is barely any human interaction. Practically all interactions are engaged in Virtual Reality settings to be observed by AIs.
Kim’s struggle with her past unravels throughout the story. As we learn more about Kim and her birth mother, I observed streams of likeness to Lois Lowry’s The Giver. Babies are born and raised by their birth parents until they are four; then, they are handed over to a mentor to be trained and groomed for the world of AI.
This book captivated my attention from the start. It’s an incredibly compelling story that causes the reader to ponder the AI world. I experienced Kim's emotions as she uncovered secrets and discovered truths about herself and the world around her. The connections I felt with Kim and the other authors mentioned generated a fascinating story. Periodically the settings were challenging to interpret because they dealt with Virtual Reality. I also thought this story was a long, slow read. As captivating as it was, it took a long time to advance the plot. It was, however, well-edited. There are instances of erotic encounters, drug use, and expletives in this story, so mature audiences are recommended. Overall, I believe this book deserves a 5 out of 5 stars for its unique and ingenious plot.
Bradbury, Vonnegut, and Lowry fans will enjoy this story because of its ties to dystopian literature. Artificial Intelligence lovers will equally enjoy this book because of the unique correlations to the virtual world. But do be warned: this book is rated M for mature audiences.
******
Terms of Service
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on iTunes
Latest Review: One Jesus, One Way by The Proving Jesus Group
