Review of Terms of Service
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Pablo Josue Mendia
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Review of Terms of Service
[Following is a volunteer review of "Terms of Service" by Craig W. Stanfill.]
Terms of Service by Craig W. Stanfill is a dystopia where society has no freedom under artificial intelligence oppression. Stanfill explores the ever-present and overlooked agreements we enter into when consenting to lengthy terms and conditions, showing how decisions affect privacy and rights. The novel begins with rules that citizens must accept. Stanfill gives readers a sense of an oppressive world from the start.
Kim is lower-working-class, obeys the authoritarian rules in her society, and wants to climb the socioeconomic ladder. She spends her days as a model citizen and wastes her nights watching TV and drinking alcohol. Kim feels like something in her life is missing but cannot grasp its missing piece.
One day, Kim’s life changes after her old best friend, Shan, comes into her life. Shan’s rule-breaking habits test Kim’s obedience. Despite warning signs, Shan and Kim ride their bicycles into uncharted territories and encounter people who make them question their realities. Their adventure resulted in many penalties. Kim believes that the omnipresent AI will cause her to lose her job.
However, The Director (the shadowy master of AIs) gives Kim two options: live a mediocre life with the illusion of freedom or work for The Director with absolute obedience. Kim chooses the latter and renounces her selfism. Soon, Kim realizes that the emptiness inside her grows and that a higher quality of life is not worth losing her freedom.
Stanfill shows how Kim rebels against the oppressive system and the consequences of accepting various terms and conditions.
My only criticism is that the currency could have been more creative than “crypto.”
I rate Terms of Service 5 out of 5 stars for the following reasons:
(1) Uniqueness: Stanfill created an AI system of appreciation that bans gender-inclusive language and shames first-person pronouns to destroy individualism and increase oppression. He narrates with the she/her/hers pronoun and feminine manners. Stanfill created a language, Panglobal, echoing Orwell’s Newspeak “to suppress the expression of unwanted concepts.”
(2) Creativity: The weeks begin on Oneday and end on Sevennight. Drugs (Placidity, Elation, Mirth, Firefly, and WakeUp) are accessible based on socioeconomic status. Kim has bursts of anger and apologizes to sentient appliances, like the fridge in her home. Stanfill also added unique music, like Caribbean Gothmetal.
(3) Thought-Provoking: The dialogue between Kim (the Creator) and Kimberly (the created AI) debating who is artificial and who is real blurs one’s distinction between human and AI consciousness. I liked how the Chief AI verified the existence of artificial intelligence, adopting Cartesian philosophy’s first principle, cogito ergo sum, but with different pronouns (we think, therefore we are).
Overall, Terms of Service is an original and enjoyable dystopia, echoing Orwell’s 1984 and Huxley’s Brave New World. I recommend this professionally edited dystopian masterpiece.
******
Terms of Service
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on iTunes
Terms of Service by Craig W. Stanfill is a dystopia where society has no freedom under artificial intelligence oppression. Stanfill explores the ever-present and overlooked agreements we enter into when consenting to lengthy terms and conditions, showing how decisions affect privacy and rights. The novel begins with rules that citizens must accept. Stanfill gives readers a sense of an oppressive world from the start.
Kim is lower-working-class, obeys the authoritarian rules in her society, and wants to climb the socioeconomic ladder. She spends her days as a model citizen and wastes her nights watching TV and drinking alcohol. Kim feels like something in her life is missing but cannot grasp its missing piece.
One day, Kim’s life changes after her old best friend, Shan, comes into her life. Shan’s rule-breaking habits test Kim’s obedience. Despite warning signs, Shan and Kim ride their bicycles into uncharted territories and encounter people who make them question their realities. Their adventure resulted in many penalties. Kim believes that the omnipresent AI will cause her to lose her job.
However, The Director (the shadowy master of AIs) gives Kim two options: live a mediocre life with the illusion of freedom or work for The Director with absolute obedience. Kim chooses the latter and renounces her selfism. Soon, Kim realizes that the emptiness inside her grows and that a higher quality of life is not worth losing her freedom.
Stanfill shows how Kim rebels against the oppressive system and the consequences of accepting various terms and conditions.
My only criticism is that the currency could have been more creative than “crypto.”
I rate Terms of Service 5 out of 5 stars for the following reasons:
(1) Uniqueness: Stanfill created an AI system of appreciation that bans gender-inclusive language and shames first-person pronouns to destroy individualism and increase oppression. He narrates with the she/her/hers pronoun and feminine manners. Stanfill created a language, Panglobal, echoing Orwell’s Newspeak “to suppress the expression of unwanted concepts.”
(2) Creativity: The weeks begin on Oneday and end on Sevennight. Drugs (Placidity, Elation, Mirth, Firefly, and WakeUp) are accessible based on socioeconomic status. Kim has bursts of anger and apologizes to sentient appliances, like the fridge in her home. Stanfill also added unique music, like Caribbean Gothmetal.
(3) Thought-Provoking: The dialogue between Kim (the Creator) and Kimberly (the created AI) debating who is artificial and who is real blurs one’s distinction between human and AI consciousness. I liked how the Chief AI verified the existence of artificial intelligence, adopting Cartesian philosophy’s first principle, cogito ergo sum, but with different pronouns (we think, therefore we are).
Overall, Terms of Service is an original and enjoyable dystopia, echoing Orwell’s 1984 and Huxley’s Brave New World. I recommend this professionally edited dystopian masterpiece.
******
Terms of Service
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on iTunes
Latest Review: What did you do at school today? by C.C. Lacavera
