OBIR: Occasional Biased and Ignorant Reviews reflecting this reader’s opinion.
FUSION FRAGMENT MAGAZINE #21 – May 2024.
Publisher: Fusion Fragment, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
Editor: Cavan Terrill
Cover Art: by Abi Stevens
Elizabeth Yu is a Universal Constant – by Sydney Paige Guerrero
Premise:
What practical use are alternative universes?
Review:
Elizabeth Yu knows. Her job, courtesy of advanced technology and greedy corporations, is to monitor as many versions of herself as can be found in the infinity of multiple universes. She is one of hundreds of thousands of similarly employed unemployables tasked with gleaning profitable insights from the worlds her other selves live in. Trouble is she is bored. And so are all her other selves. Even worse, she shares another trait. She, and they, are boring.
Needless to say, her job, indeed the reality of her existence in this and myriad other universes, is demoralizing. Many of her fellow employees have dopplegangers with exciting, even triumphant lives. But not her. Life isn’t fair. Not just in her universe, but in all the universes where she exists. She resolves to do something about it.
Proper SF extrapolation this. A premise is presented, and then remarkable implications are explored. Makes for an exciting read.
Elevation – by Endria Isa Richardson
Premise:
When is a mountain more than a mountain?
Review:
A mother lost her eldest son Miq the last time she climbed the mountain. Now she climbs again with Robert, her younger son. She and Miq had been alike, gifted dreamers who saw beyond petty reality to greater realities, but Robert? A literal-minded chap. He sees only what his eyes can see. As a result, a gulf, a chasm between them that cannot be bridged.
This is a metaphor to do with the constant war between those who catalogue reality as opposed to those who interpret reality. One sees a rock, whereas the other views the rock as a symbol of strength and entropy-defying timelessness. Indeed, the other is willing to enhance their vision with a drug to reveal even greater truths, no matter what the price. So, Robert can be accused of lack of imagination, and his mother of possessing too much imagination.
This forever-war occurs not only within personality types in society, but within each and every individual as well. How intriguing to use the act of climbing a mountain to explore the ramifications of this eternal conundrum common to us all. Conclusions drawn, or at least implied, are fascinating. Call it mystical realism, or mysticism grounded in reality. Call it whatever you like. It may apply to you, if you are willing. A deeply philosophical tale.
An Offering of Algae – by Uchechukwu Nwaka
Premise:
Is God edible?
Review:
Father Nzeh has been in charge of the algae harvest for a long time. It keeps the body healthy and strong, but does nothing to keep the pilgrim plague at bay. Fortunately, he has risen to the ranks of those who harvest the flesh of God and serve it in communion to the faithful. But even that cannot wholly stop the decay in flesh and mind. He has begun to question his faith.
The science fiction element is that humanity has been reduced to a tiny remnant dwelling at the foot of a tower ascending to the “heavens.” The underlying question? “What is the point of religious ritual?” The larger question being, perhaps, “What is the point of existence?” Both valid questions at any time in human history.
That a sip of wine and a wafer are literally the body and blood of Christ is something I have never taken seriously, but then, as a child I was expelled from Sunday school in the Baptist church for asking too many questions. I have never taken religion as a whole “seriously.” Always been willing to accept it has symbolic meaning for those who believe, though. However, I confess that the concept of a thick, juicy steak, literally carved from the living body of God, being offered at Communion is something I find amusing.
However, this is not a satire of religion, let alone a criticism of this or that religious belief system. It is a story posing certain questions all religions purport to answer. The ending, with its implications, is open to interpretation. How you react will depend on your particular belief system. Definitely a thought-provoking piece of fiction relating to our life reality. I find it fascinating.
In Real Time – by Avra Margariti
Premise:
If you could freeze time, what do you do when you see someone else moving?
Review:
Both characters use their ability to freeze time to escape reality from time to time (a pun of sorts) because they don’t fit in. An avoidance mechanism. Like withdrawing into your closet to shut out as much unwanted input as possible. But when you discover you are not alone in your closet? Bit of a shock, to put it mildly.
I vaguely recall seeing René Clair’s 1923 film “Paris Qui Dort” or “The Crazy Ray” which featured a small group of people moving about a Paris frozen in time by the ray of a mad scientist. Had a lot of striking imagery but was basically a gimmick comedy. In this story the same science fictional gimmick is the basis of a metaphor detailing the difficulties of coming out as an individual in the face of an overwhelming societal demand to conform. Something of a painful quest. A hurtful metamorphosis. What price freedom? What price happiness? Up to the individual. An observational lesson both for those who don’t know what it’s like and for those who need it.
Bennamin Gorgeous – by Bree Wernicke
Premise:
Of course a delivery boy needs to ignore the horrors.
Review:
A surreal fantasy world beset by nameless, vaguely seen horrors. Rather Lovecraftian. Nothing makes any sense in that no explanation or reason is presented to justify this or that aspect of the “reality” described, but this doesn’t matter for the simple reason the characters take everything for granted and concentrate on petty interactions and petty goals, which is actually the height of realism when I think about it. The reader needs to stop asking “What?” and “Why?” and just settle down into the fun rollercoaster ride of experiencing the story as it unravels. It ends on a note even Lovecraft would consider outrageous but loads of fun.
I deem this story cheerfully entertaining in spite of and because of the horrors.
Entrevista – by Lore Lopez
Premise:
Suppose your mother never existed? What then?
Review:
The main character is transcribing three recordings concerning a submersible descending to a WWII shipwreck never previously explored. Except the “Stewardess” on board believes there was a previous expedition nine years earlier which failed. Bizarrely, she believes her impending visitation can alter fate. Are the recordings a hoax? If not, reality is constantly at risk.
Is it possible to grope your way to better understanding where several alternative universes intersect? Can you change how each affects the other? What if your interference leads to the other universes nullifying events in your universe? How do you cope? Is it even possible to escape the consequences?
The fascinating thing about this story is that it suggests a science fictional explanation for certain types of supernatural phenomena. An interesting thought experiment. Very useful technique for writers who want to explain the impossible. A way of making imaginative tales more appealing to the literal-minded. Most interesting.
10 Signs You’re Addicted to Revisit – by Joelle Killian
Premise:
VR lets you revisit your best memories, or so you think.
Review:
The negative implications of excessive virtual reality use are laid out in ten practical, common-sense “how to avoid” rules. These are intercut with the daily life of a middle-aged woman who is only beginning to realize she should start following the rules before it’s too late. She can’t be virtually young forever. The price to be paid is potentially fatal.
Alcohol is addictive. Drugs are addictive. We already know VR can be addictive. The question is “How addictive?” With advancing technology the near-future answer is probably “Frighteningly addictive.” This story, very much an essay about obsession, is a warning. Those who blindly love the latest tech take heed.
Remember Me as my Best Self – by JL George
Premise:
What if you can leave yourself for your children after you’ve gone?
Review:
There’s any number of gimmicks these days to leave behind. Fill in the blank memory books. 3-D holograms. DVD “visits.” How about a “snapshot” hologram capture of your personality permanently stored in a memoriam tablet? All your loved ones have to do is switch it on and begin conversing with you as you were a year before you died. Or a month. Or a day. Given that medical treatment, especially palliative care, can alter how you view life, the universe and everything, such a tablet will inevitably contain multiple versions of you. Which one will your loved ones prefer? Something to think about.
A photograph brings back memories. Actually conversing with an avatar of the deceased risks bringing back much more, perhaps too much. Like much science fiction, this story reveals that a rosy picture of the prospects of truly advanced technology is not necessarily an accurate vision of what will take place should said technology become feasible and routine. Another fascinating thought experiment exploring on a personal level the impact of universally accepted technology when it first appears.
Crop Circles in the Carpet – by Aster Loxley
Premise:
Never fall in love with a time traveller.
Review:
André was a young artist living in Barcelona. Lluis was a young time traveller from a future, rather damaged version of Barcelona. They fell in love. Over time the two Barcelona’s began to coalesce. Time to leave, but where, and when?
Could be viewed as a metaphor for intercultural pairing, except the two have a lot in common. What differences exist spark a learning relationship, bonding them further. In fact I believe this story is about an unbelievably widespread conundrum facing more than a billion people today. Do you stay where you have always lived in familiar surroundings, or do you uproot yourself and seek a better reality elsewhere? Takes courage to leave home. Even more courage to be a refugee. But in the end, we all become refugees of one kind or another. Hence the saying “You can’t go home again.” A melancholy look at what turns out to be a universal fate.
Footprints like Craters – by Yasmeen Amro
Premise:
Could colossi resembling living Statues of Liberty make useful weapons?
Review:
Verity is Scylla, a genetically modified humanoid alien about 45 feet high. There are three others, all resembling white marble goddesses, nude in form, but immensely powerful. Wearing a spiked headdress and holding the torch of liberty high, they each lead a swarm of military vehicles into battle. They are collectively known as the Columbias.
Actually, Verity is a normal-sized woman immersed in a tank of electroconductive gel with hundreds of leads attached to her skin and scalp. By means of this supertech she is the mind motivating the movements of her colossal alter ego. Fair to say it is no easy task.
Naturally, given American exceptionalism and the increasingly divisive nature of American patriotism leading to what a Canadian like myself views as insane excess, I can’t help but wonder if this is somehow a parody of current trends.
Then again, what with her boyfriend Alexander, a soldier in charge of the guard assigned to protect her human body when she is being the Columbia, and who seems to be more in love with her gigantic self as if her war machine version is somehow more enticing, I suspect there is commentary on the evolving nature of women’s rights, roles, and relationships to men.
I mean, how does any woman handle being transformed into something very much like a Goddess of War? If you don’t like a man, just step on him. If he hits you with anti-tank rockets, big deal. You’re invincible. On the other hand, your “mortal” form is helpless and vulnerable in the gel tank. Better treat your guys nicely. No matter what you do and what you become, absolute freedom would appear to be impossible.
There are hints that war is sold to the public as “sexy,” i.e. just like every other commodity. Beware the propaganda of patriotism, it’s just another means of selling you a bill of goods, of exploiting you.
Or perhaps the underlying premise is that victory always exacts an unbearable price. Even in the wars between the sexes.
I admit I don’t have a clear understanding of what the author is getting at. But dang, the battle sequences would make spectacular CGI footage in any big budget film inspired by this story. I’d go see that for sure and debate the subtle implications later. I just want to see those ladies swing their torches.
Alas, my taste in B movies handicaps me as a critic. Truth is this is a powerfully grim story with evocative accounts of confusion, self-doubt, fear, longing, and self-realization. Not a light-weight story at all. It is completely and seriously relevant to our contemporary world and the never-ending conflicts between societies, within societies, and between and within individuals. Heck of a lot of food for thought here. I haven’t done it justice. I’ll just say I consider it remarkable. I bet you will, too.
CONCLUSION:
This issue exhibits a staggering amount of imagination and originality far beyond the banal traditions of old-time pulp fiction. The stories are a treat to read. Further proof that science fiction as a living genre still has much to offer.
Check it out at: < Fusion Fragment Current Issue >
