/lit/ - Literature

>>22383658
How It Unfolds, The Far Reaches - James S. A. Corey (2023)
Slow light allows for the duplication of matter over the vast distances of the galaxy, including of people. Thousands of colonies can be started from a single origin point. The baton race to ensure the eternal existence of humanity has begun. Survival is all that matters, regardless of the cost, or how it must be accomplished, or the living conditions there. Out of desperation eternal recurrence has been achieved, but how meaningful is it?

I have a lot of issues with this novelette, but none of them are major aside from being baffled that a certain decision is endlessly repeated when better options must have existed. It could be that I'm rating it as I am because of the author, but I hope not. I primarily see it as a metaphor and it's not one that I like. As with almost every other story in this collection I can only see the overarching theme as being about futility. Maybe others can see it differently, but I'm unable to. I consider this a fail considering who the authors are.