Rule 34

Stross, Charles. Rule 34. New York: Ace, 2011. UK: Orbit, 2011. See Internet Speculative Fiction Database for reprints and reviews.[1]

Reviewed by Christopher Hellstrom, SFRA Review #297 (Summer 2011): pp. 52-53.[2] Hellstrom notes that in this novel:

The technology is realistic and familiar and he does not make generic references to social networks but calls them by name (Facebook, Linkedin). Rule 34 is a near future SF that sticks to much of the formula of Geoff Ryman’s “Mundane Manifesto” Most of the technology is things that are realistic enhancements of what we have seen glimmers of today (like 3D printers) and this adds to the gritty realism. The virtual environment CopSpace uses Specs, glasses that create an augmented reality overlay where one can record information onto a lifelog. The lifelog is humorously utilized in the novel to “rewind” confusing explanatory infodumps spouted by the characters. There are also some speculative technologies, such as quantum computing in Halting State and forms of narrow artificial intelligence in Rule 34. (Hellstrom, p. 53)

So see for AI, 3D printers (in the news on 7 April 2021 as actually-existing problems for gun regulation), and short-term extrapolation on technology.

RDE, finishing, 7Ap21