The Metal Demimonde, by Nick Wolven

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(SF) A century from now, Tipper works at an automated carnival, in a world with few jobs for humans. She falls in with Luke, a boy trying to make an illegal manual car work. (15,347 words; Time: 51m)

Rating: ★★★★☆ Recommended

Recommended By: NClarke

"The Metal Demimonde," by Nick Wolven [bio] (edited by Trevor Quachri), appeared in Analog Science Fiction and Fact issue 07-08|16, published on June 2, 2016 by Penny Publications.

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

Pro: In a real sense, this is Luke's story more than Tipper's. He wants to strike a blow against the machines, and he uses her to do it. We sympathize with him, even though we can't approve of his actions. We understand how Suzie and Carter feel as well, and we feel their pain at the loss of their rides.

Ironically, Tipper had a meaningful job. Otherwise the orphan attractions would have done just as well as the ones that were staffed.

The post-scarcity society, and the carnival in particular, are beautifully detailed.

Con: To suspend disbelief for this story, you have to reject the Law of Comparative Advantage, you have to embrace the Lump of Labor Fallacy, and you have to have a lot of faith that AIs like the one that Amazon uses to recommend "books you might like" are going to go from near-useless to almost-perfect.

Other Reviews: Search Web, Browse Review Sites (Issue 07-08|16)
Nick Wolven Info: Interviews, Websites, ISFDB