Is freedom the most important topic in Gariffo’s novel?

Use this forum to discuss August 2018 book of the month "World, Incorporated" by Tom Gariffo.
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Cristina Chifane
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Is freedom the most important topic in Gariffo’s novel?

Post by Cristina Chifane »

I couldn’t help remembering George Orwell’s famous three slogans in 1984:
WAR IS PEACE
FREEDOM IS SLAVERY
IGNORANCE IS STRENGTH
Is freedom of thought or decisional freedom still possible in Gariffo’s dystopian world where citizens are nothing but consumers?

Freedom seems to be on Agent Sliver’s mind as soon as he allows himself to feel again. He even tries to convince Rex, the cyborg, of the importance of personal freedom. In spite of years of experimentation and programming, they both manage to break free and decide for themselves no matter the glooming perspectives ahead.

Is their newly acquired freedom genuine or merely an illusion?
Under the circumstances, does freedom become the major topic of the novel?
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Post by Dusamae »

Freedom of thought was the one thing that saved Sliver from being killed by Rex. Freedom is choices and choices have consequences. Their freedom for decisions are genuine, however, the consequences of their decisions at the end of the book may cause them to be "taken care of" killed. They have now become the people they were sent to "kill".

I had not thought of that, but yes, from the time he found Kelly. It seemed to be the most important thing to Sliver. Actually, it probably went back to the geeks that he hid.
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Post by Beth KG »

by Beth KG

I think you have hit upon the most important truth of this novel. Although almost unstated with everything else that happens, I believe freedom is the main theme. Much to my chagrin, it took reading your insightful question in order for me to cut through to that conclusion. No matter what happens subsequently to the end of this book, the freedom of Sliver and Rex, at that point, is real and not an illusion. Thank you for introducing yet another great topic!
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Post by melissy370 »

Freedom is definitely the theme for this book. The people struggle with the freedom of using their money instead of giving it to the government, Sliver and Rex were enslaved by World Inc. in a myriad of ways, and freedom of speech was nonexistent. Under the umbrella of World Inc. the people walk around not knowing that they have no freedom because they are being told what the supercorporations want them to know. I think in the end Rex and Sliver find true freedom by breaking World Inc 's hold on them.

I think this book can make you wonder what freedoms we have now that slowly being eroded.
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Post by [Valerie Allen] »

Hmm, I think you're right. After a while, freedom seems to become Silver's focal point. Being captured from his youth and Rex designed as some sort of slave, I do believe that their acquired freedom is genuine.
And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. (Revelation 20:12 (NKJV) :reading-7:
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Post by mcfeealexis »

Freedom seems to be an important theme in this novel. It is the focal point of everything that is important to Agent Silver. It even comes down to him wanting to end his own life in the end which I think is a true testament to how much freedom he has.
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Post by Kemunto lucy »

Freedom is the main theme in this book. Freedom to free will was well portrayed.
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Post by Kibet Hillary »

Freedom becomes one of the major themes but it was hard to imagine that it was indeed. In such a world, the choice of Agent Silver to embrace freedom was such a hard choice. I would also propose that freedom is indeed a major theme but I am not sure whether it is the main theme of the book.
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Post by Kibet Hillary »

mcfeealexis wrote: 13 Aug 2018, 20:41 Freedom seems to be an important theme in this novel. It is the focal point of everything that is important to Agent Silver. It even comes down to him wanting to end his own life in the end which I think is a true testament to how much freedom he has.
Wow. This is awesome. It comes with a very profound proof and evidence of the greatness of this theme of freedom in the book. Indeed, Agent Silver choosing to end his life is a part of the result of freedom of thought and choice.
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Post by Kibet Hillary »

melissy370 wrote: 11 Aug 2018, 17:20 Freedom is definitely the theme for this book. The people struggle with the freedom of using their money instead of giving it to the government, Sliver and Rex were enslaved by World Inc. in a myriad of ways, and freedom of speech was nonexistent. Under the umbrella of World Inc. the people walk around not knowing that they have no freedom because they are being told what the supercorporations want them to know. I think in the end Rex and Sliver find true freedom by breaking World Inc 's hold on them.

I think this book can make you wonder what freedoms we have now that slowly being eroded.
This is a great insight into the book theme. I had not seen it this way but these all statements are true. It is clear enough that indeed freedom becomes an important theme.
“It just hurts too much to admit what is wanted so badly when there’s no guarantee of its availability.”
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Post by David Horta Alonso »

Freedom is the most important asset in any state. The people should be left to think independently and decide for themselves. Without freedom, then our democracy ceases to flourish.
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Post by Britty01 »

melissy370 wrote: 11 Aug 2018, 17:20 Freedom is definitely the theme for this book. The people struggle with the freedom of using their money instead of giving it to the government, Sliver and Rex were enslaved by World Inc. in a myriad of ways, and freedom of speech was nonexistent. Under the umbrella of World Inc. the people walk around not knowing that they have no freedom because they are being told what the supercorporations want them to know. I think in the end Rex and Sliver find true freedom by breaking World Inc 's hold on them.

I think this book can make you wonder what freedoms we have now that slowly being eroded.
I agree, although I would wonder if there were not a few that would think about such things but be too afraid to say or do anything about it. I wondered also how they felt if their city was the target of one of the battles between the Supercorporations.
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Post by CheyenneR »

As far as Rex, Kelly, and Silver go, I would say their freedom is genuine. They are still somewhat anonymous in this world because of their work or, in Kelly's case, because of her parent's views. For almost all other citizens, I would say freedom is an illusion. They are already logged into the Registry and are monitored at every turn, literally.
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Post by yogeshban60 »

This is a novel written by Tom Gariffo . I think that the important theam in this novel is freedom but guys , honestly it was hard to imagin that it was indeed . Otherwise the novel is quite well . It seems that a character named agent silver is hero of this novel . It is not guranted that freedom is important theam in this novel . :techie-studyingbrown:
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Post by holsam_87 »

Freedom is important in this book. It goes with one's thoughts and actions.
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