Such a smart, layered piece. What it really made me sit with is how every worldview — anthropocentric, ecocentric, sentientist, steward — boils down to one core tension: how much comfort do we believe we’re entitled to, and at what cost? This world is so fascinating because it reveals that even “sustainable perfection” can feel suffocating. Maybe it’s not just harm we’re trying to minimise, but... meaninglessness? And that comes from choosing with clarity, not compulsion.
I could have written a whole other post about the existentialism throughout these books. Dex struggles with meaninglessness, perhaps as a result of their apathy that all humans can do is cause harm. But the robot helps them reverse that sentiment. One of my favorite quotes:
Dex: “It doesn’t bother you? The thought that your life might mean nothing in the end?”
Robot: “That’s true for all life I’ve observed. Why would it bother me?”
Such a smart, layered piece. What it really made me sit with is how every worldview — anthropocentric, ecocentric, sentientist, steward — boils down to one core tension: how much comfort do we believe we’re entitled to, and at what cost? This world is so fascinating because it reveals that even “sustainable perfection” can feel suffocating. Maybe it’s not just harm we’re trying to minimise, but... meaninglessness? And that comes from choosing with clarity, not compulsion.
I could have written a whole other post about the existentialism throughout these books. Dex struggles with meaninglessness, perhaps as a result of their apathy that all humans can do is cause harm. But the robot helps them reverse that sentiment. One of my favorite quotes:
Dex: “It doesn’t bother you? The thought that your life might mean nothing in the end?”
Robot: “That’s true for all life I’ve observed. Why would it bother me?”
Wow yeah so profound!
Great stuff! So true that the most luxurious experiences are often less interesting.
Efficiency bores us. Your story exemplifies this. A fully automated world be the worst what could happen to us. To struggle is to be human
I don’t think an automated world = boredom. Idleness does.
We should live in a world where we can choose how to spend our idleness. I’d rather choose to do my own sewing than have to work more.
Terrific post. Thought provoking as hell. Now I’ve got to get my hands on some novels by Becky Chambers.
My only regret in reading all her books is that there are no more new ones left. I envy you! Savour them.
Thank you! And I hope you do! She's a master.