Little Brother

Cory Doctorow's LITTLE BROTHER is getting all the rumpus in the science fiction world lately. SciFi Signal loved it, John Scalzi loved it, Neil Gaiman loved it, and so on. I don't know that I can say that I loved it, but LITTLE BROTHER did drag me along for an excellent ride...and got me thinking too.

LITTLE BROTHER is not a science fiction per se - it reads more like a thriller novel in a very near-future world. Young Marcus is playing a game when he gets embroiled in the response to a terrorist attack. Marcus and his friends rebel against the harsh tactics that the government takes in response to the attacks. Clearly Doctorow is not a fan of the PATRIOT Act nor the government that would enforce such laws. But he does make some very lucid points. Most importantly that restrictions on freedom in the name of security do not make us more free and that any system can be penetrated or bypassed with the right focus and effort.

LITTLE BROTHER is probably more important for these points than the story. We all need to look at what is important and what can really protect us. If we want to be Singapore with all of its restrictions and impositions on personal freedom, then we need to acknowledge the fact and move on. If not, if we value our liberties, then we need to protect them and fight those who would impose upon them.

However, I will see how vulnerable my bike locks are to a bic pen and see what I can do to keep my information safe. Good work, Mr. Doctorow.

Now it's onto Max Allan Collins' STRIP FOR MURDER.