Review of Terms of Service
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Ajibola Gabriel
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Review of Terms of Service
[Following is a volunteer review of "Terms of Service" by Craig W. Stanfill.]
In a solid fictional attempt to explore the futuristic possibility of an artificial intelligence-dominated earth, Craig W. Stanfill puts together a profound sci-fi book, Terms of Service: Subject to Change Without Notice. Kim was accustomed to a world in which every detail and decision is technologically induced and where AIs are the determinants of what happens, exerting right or wrong and governing human choices—even choices as to what to eat are decided by the refrigerator. She worked in a company where she trained devices and AI inventions that couldn’t think for themselves. In this reality, the law of the land required that children be handed over to a mentor before they clocked four, so they are groomed and trained according to the prevailing intelligence. Kim did not know the name of her birth mother, nor was she visited by her. In the proceeding plot, Kim unearths rattling information that puts everything she knows into question.
The author showed a great handle on the understanding of how artificial intelligence works; this enabled him to simplify several complexities and exude clear knowledge of how AI functions. Fiction at this level excites my mind, even if I am not emotionally endeared to the concept of artificial intelligence's dominance over a man; the plots, the character development, the different approach to reality, and the display of intelligence throughout the pages of the book made it worthwhile and interesting. I liked the unpredictability of the book, and there were baits littered throughout the book to engage one’s curiosity. I like to imagine myself as one of its characters and wonder how I would respond to AI devices going against my desire for something I want, e.g., I want a cold beverage for breakfast, and the refrigerator decides I have eggs. While it is funny to imagine, I do not think it would be half as fun to live in.
The book was expectedly highly conceptual; one needed to pay attention to its contexts, definitions, and concepts to get the most out of it. The book required focus to dive into until the concept of its reality was fully formed in my mind. I initially struggled to grasp the picture the author tried to project. This, however, did not bother me as much as the gender variation did. While it was clear that everyone was referred to as 'she' regardless of their gender, I did not get why they acted like they were also blind to the female features, seeing as the book did not mention them all having the same features.
I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars. It requires a strong, solid, flexible, and yet disciplined imagination to develop a story carefully built into concepts like this, so it deserves a good rating. I deducted a star because, though the characters had no character variation, they were able to tell when they were being intimate with a different gender, and unless they were in utter darkness or blind, which I do not think was the case, I couldn't understand how Kim only realised she was with a different gender when it was already too late. The book is also properly structured and professionally edited; I only found a few errors in it.
I recommend this book to lovers of fiction, especially those who love sci-fi novels. Also, if you are curious about AI, you will find this an interesting read and even deepen your knowledge on the subject. If you are a person given to wild imaginations, you probably would have taken an imaginative adventure into a world controlled by artificial intelligence, and this author seems bent on satisfying your imaginative curiosity with fictional reality.
******
Terms of Service
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on iTunes
In a solid fictional attempt to explore the futuristic possibility of an artificial intelligence-dominated earth, Craig W. Stanfill puts together a profound sci-fi book, Terms of Service: Subject to Change Without Notice. Kim was accustomed to a world in which every detail and decision is technologically induced and where AIs are the determinants of what happens, exerting right or wrong and governing human choices—even choices as to what to eat are decided by the refrigerator. She worked in a company where she trained devices and AI inventions that couldn’t think for themselves. In this reality, the law of the land required that children be handed over to a mentor before they clocked four, so they are groomed and trained according to the prevailing intelligence. Kim did not know the name of her birth mother, nor was she visited by her. In the proceeding plot, Kim unearths rattling information that puts everything she knows into question.
The author showed a great handle on the understanding of how artificial intelligence works; this enabled him to simplify several complexities and exude clear knowledge of how AI functions. Fiction at this level excites my mind, even if I am not emotionally endeared to the concept of artificial intelligence's dominance over a man; the plots, the character development, the different approach to reality, and the display of intelligence throughout the pages of the book made it worthwhile and interesting. I liked the unpredictability of the book, and there were baits littered throughout the book to engage one’s curiosity. I like to imagine myself as one of its characters and wonder how I would respond to AI devices going against my desire for something I want, e.g., I want a cold beverage for breakfast, and the refrigerator decides I have eggs. While it is funny to imagine, I do not think it would be half as fun to live in.
The book was expectedly highly conceptual; one needed to pay attention to its contexts, definitions, and concepts to get the most out of it. The book required focus to dive into until the concept of its reality was fully formed in my mind. I initially struggled to grasp the picture the author tried to project. This, however, did not bother me as much as the gender variation did. While it was clear that everyone was referred to as 'she' regardless of their gender, I did not get why they acted like they were also blind to the female features, seeing as the book did not mention them all having the same features.
I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars. It requires a strong, solid, flexible, and yet disciplined imagination to develop a story carefully built into concepts like this, so it deserves a good rating. I deducted a star because, though the characters had no character variation, they were able to tell when they were being intimate with a different gender, and unless they were in utter darkness or blind, which I do not think was the case, I couldn't understand how Kim only realised she was with a different gender when it was already too late. The book is also properly structured and professionally edited; I only found a few errors in it.
I recommend this book to lovers of fiction, especially those who love sci-fi novels. Also, if you are curious about AI, you will find this an interesting read and even deepen your knowledge on the subject. If you are a person given to wild imaginations, you probably would have taken an imaginative adventure into a world controlled by artificial intelligence, and this author seems bent on satisfying your imaginative curiosity with fictional reality.
******
Terms of Service
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on iTunes
Latest Review: The Vitality System by Kyle Gonzalez
