Friday, September 25, 2015

The Empathy Vaccine, by C.C. Finlay

Analog Science Fiction and Fact, June 2015; 3,300 words
Rating: 3, Good, ordinary, story

A man believes he'd be a better executive if he could turn off his empathy for other people.

Mini-Review (click to view--possible spoilers)

Pro: Very interesting concept. Plenty of tension as we wonder when the protagonist is going to use his gun--or when the doctor is going to figure it all out. Very satisfying ending.

Con: On reflection, the narrator is rather stupid to approach this with no backup plan. (e.g. sealed instructions at his office to lead people to the doctor in case he disappears.) Also, the narrator doesn't seem to really need the treatment--he's already a psychopath.

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