My personality doesn’t really lend itself to change. I guess that’s the nicest way I can put it. After I sold Prophet, my wife bugged me for weeks about doing a blog (yes, Baby Bear, blog; but that was then). I kept shunning the idea, decrying it as a fad. I finally gave in, starting a new livelihood that has persisted for two decades. I have no clue what I would have done without the birth of Slope.
I was reminded of this by the recent hectoring I’ve been receiving from our collective friend NYUGrad, who has been poking me about getting into Google Notebook. (Bless him, he has tried to get me going into other new areas of knowledge as well, but I’m a stubborn cuss). I finally threw my hands in the air this weekend and took a dive into Notebook, and I must say, it’s great fun.
From my very brief encounter with Notebook, my impression is that it lets you create a silo of bespoke information – – sort of a self-contained set of training data for AI – – and you can draw information from that body of information. I was disinterested in Notebook until it dawned on me – – “why not upload the entire Solid State manuscript into it and see what happens?” Well, I did, and it’s pretty amazing. First, I just uploaded an excerpt, and it was able to offer a lot of information back to me about what it had read.
Critique of “Solid State Draft”
Here are some thoughts on the excerpts from “Solid State Draft”, based on the provided text:
● The excerpt showcases multiple storylines that intertwine, creating a complex and intriguing narrative.1234… For instance, the excerpt jumps between Thomas Peterson’s captivity, Wesley Williams’ political campaign, and Kevin Toffler’s actions, suggesting a connection between these seemingly disparate events.
● The excerpts highlight societal and political issues, creating a sense of urgency and relevance. The novel explores themes of wealth inequality1112, government overreach1317, the impact of technology91943, and the consequences of societal collapse8697.
● The excerpts effectively establish a sense of mystery and suspense. The reader is left wondering about the motivations and plans of characters like Gerald Flynt23242570, Kevin Toffler910274748, and Sledge30319899. The excerpt also introduces a mysterious figure named Mac134138139140…, whose purpose and identity remain unclear.
● The excerpt effectively utilizes dialogue to reveal character and advance the plot. The conversations between characters like Wesley Williams and Tobias17181920, Dinah Cranston and Bob Kully567100…, and President Wright and his advisors325859166172 provide insights into their personalities, motivations, and relationships.
● The excerpt leaves the reader with several unanswered questions, encouraging them to continue reading. For example, what are Gerald Flynt’s ultimate goals? What is the true nature of the “biometric thing” that Toffler is involved in?41 What is the significance of the book with the letters TK on the front?2425 What will be the outcome of Wesley Williams’ political campaign? What is the meaning of the envelope Toffler leaves for Peterson with the words “SAVE ME”?
I then decided to make a “study guide”, which is basically what would happen if, let’ say, it was state law that high school students had to read this 73 chapter beast and write essays about it.
Solid State Study Guide
Key Terms
Aegis: A terrorist group in the novel “Solid State” that aims to liberate humanity from the perceived control of social media, even if it means using extreme measures like nuclear attacks.
Davos: A common name for the annual World Economic Forum, a prestigious conference held in Davos, Switzerland, that brings together global leaders in business, politics, and other fields.
inSight Glasses: A fictional product in “Solid State” that allows users to access vast amounts of information about people, places, and things simply by looking at them. They represent the extreme integration of technology and data in the novel’s world.
Kevin Toffler: The co-founder and tech mastermind behind inSight, Toffler is a complex character who plays a significant role in Aegis’s plan. He is initially motivated by disillusionment with technology’s impact but eventually seeks redemption.
Thomas Peterson: The other co-founder of inSight, Peterson is more focused on the business side of the company. He represents the ambition and pursuit of novelty that drive some in the tech world.
TODD (Total Open Data Doctrine): A fictional government policy in “Solid State” that mandates the centralized management of digital data and its accessibility to the public. This policy enables the creation of inSight glasses and highlights the potential dangers of unchecked data sharing.
Wesley Williams: An ambitious young politician who rises to prominence after the nuclear attack on San Francisco. He represents the hope and leadership needed to rebuild society after the catastrophic event.
Short-Answer Quiz
- What is the primary goal of the terrorist group Aegis?
- What is the significance of the setting of the novel, the San Francisco Bay Area?
- How does the smell of the elite, as described in Chapter One, contribute to the novel’s themes?
- Why are inSight glasses banned from the Davos conference?
- What is the relationship between Thomas Peterson and Kevin Toffler like at the start of the novel?
- How does the implementation of TODD (Total Open Data Doctrine) contribute to the development of the inSight glasses?
- What motivates Kevin Toffler to assist Aegis in their plan?
- What are some of the target markets identified for “Solid State”?
- What event causes a rift in the relationship between Peterson and Toffler?
- What is the significance of the character Mac in the novel?
Answer Key
- Aegis aims to “free” humanity from what they see as the enslavement of technology and social media, resorting to drastic measures like the nuclear attack on San Francisco.
- The San Francisco Bay Area is the heart of the tech world, making it a symbolic target for Aegis’s attack and highlighting the vulnerability of a society heavily reliant on technology.
- The description of the elite’s unique smell emphasizes the social divide and the separation between the privileged few and the rest of society, a theme that the novel explores.
- inSight glasses are banned because they would disrupt the social dynamics of the conference, eliminating the need for traditional networking and potentially creating an unfair advantage for some attendees.
- At the start of the novel, Peterson and Toffler are estranged, having drifted apart after achieving success with inSight and following a personal tragedy in Toffler’s life.
- TODD provides the legal framework and data infrastructure that make the creation of inSight glasses possible, demonstrating how government policies can have unintended consequences in the realm of technology.
- Toffler becomes disillusioned with the addictive nature of inSight and the negative consequences of technology on society, leading him to believe that drastic action is needed to break free from its control.
- Target markets include dystopian fiction enthusiasts, thriller and suspense fans, science fiction and fantasy readers, preppers and survivalists, and young adults interested in speculative futures.
- The death of Alexandra, a significant figure in both their lives, creates a rift between Peterson and Toffler, leaving unresolved grief and blame.
- Mac is a mysterious character with an apparent ability to predict the future. He guides Toffler towards a path of redemption and plays a crucial role in the efforts to prevent further global catastrophe.
Essay Questions
- Analyze the portrayal of technology in “Solid State.” Does the novel present a wholly negative view of technological advancement, or is there a nuanced perspective?
- Discuss the ethical implications of the inSight glasses. How do they blur the lines between privacy and accessibility, and what are the potential consequences of such technology?
- Compare and contrast the characters of Thomas Peterson and Kevin Toffler. How do their motivations and worldviews differ, and how do these differences contribute to the conflict in the novel?
- Examine the role of the government in “Solid State.” Does the implementation of TODD represent a failure of governance, or are there external factors that contribute to the societal breakdown?
- Discuss the effectiveness of “Solid State” as a dystopian novel. How does it contribute to the genre, and what warnings or messages does it offer about the future of society?
It even gave me a timeline of the book, even though the book jumps all over the place, plus a cast of characters. Remember, it drew all of this out from just the manuscript.
Timeline of Events
70,000 B.C.
- Mount Toba erupts in Sumatra, causing a volcanic winter and near-extinction event for humanity.
Unspecified Past
- Kevin Toffler experiences a childhood trauma involving a submerged tree trunk, which shapes his worldview.
- Wesley Williams encounters the same phenomenon as a child, but forgets about it until years later.
- Kevin Toffler tinkers with rocketry as a hobby and develops a fascination with space travel.
January 2032
- The annual World Economic Forum takes place in Davos, Switzerland.
- Klaus Richter, head of security, meets Dylan Jenkins, who claims to represent an attendee.
Events at the Compound
- Thomas Peterson is kidnapped and forced to record videos for a mysterious cult led by Gerald Flynt.
- The videos promote the cult’s ideology and threaten an attack on California.
The Black Sky Event
- Kevin Toffler launches a rocket carrying a nuclear weapon into space.
- The detonation creates an EMP that cripples the power grid and most vehicles in the San Francisco Bay Area.
- Wesley Williams and Tobias are stranded in San Francisco due to the blackout.
Aftermath of the Black Sky Event
- Sledge, a charismatic opportunist, emerges as a powerful warlord in the lawless San Francisco.
- Sledge’s gang takes over Pier 45 and amasses weapons and supplies.
- Wesley Williams returns home and tries to convince his family to leave the Bay Area.
Political Developments
- Dinah Cranston, a politician, faces a challenge from Wesley Williams in the upcoming election.
- Robert Kully, a disgruntled former associate of Cranston, seeks to re-join her campaign.
Osiris Project
- Thomas Peterson and Dylan Jenkins start a company called Osiris to capitalize on the societal changes caused by the EMP.
- They develop a concept for a self-sufficient community based on pre-industrial technology.
Sledge’s Rise and Fall
- Sledge receives a shipment of supplies from Prometheus in exchange for access to Pier 45.
- Sledge dreams of expanding his territory and controlling the entire San Francisco Bay Area.
- The US military, led by Colonel Miller, successfully neutralizes Sledge and restores order to the Bay Area.
Revelation and Redemption
- Kevin Toffler contacts Thomas Peterson, reveals his responsibility for the Black Sky Event, and expresses remorse.
- Toffler provides Peterson with information and resources to expose the truth about the cult and the EMP attack.
The Kidnapping
- Robert Kully kidnaps Wesley Williams’ family in an attempt to force him to withdraw from the Senate race.
- Colonel Miller and his team track down Kully and rescue the Williams family.
Final Resolution
- Wesley Williams and Thomas Peterson travel to Washington D.C. to testify before the Senate about the events surrounding the Black Sky Event.
- Kevin Toffler gives a posthumous confession revealing his role in the EMP attack and his motivations.
- George Reid, the President’s advisor, learns about a covert operation to arm Taiwan with nuclear weapons, code-named Operation Guandi.
- The story ends with Kevin Toffler’s peaceful death in a rural diner, suggesting a sense of closure and redemption.
Cast of Characters
Kevin Toffler
- Bio: The architect of the Black Sky Event. A brilliant but deeply troubled engineer with a fascination with rocketry and space travel. Driven by a childhood trauma and a desire to reset society, he orchestrates the EMP attack on California. Later expresses remorse and seeks to expose the truth.
Thomas Peterson
- Bio: A former partner of Kevin Toffler and co-founder of Osiris. Initially unaware of Toffler’s plans, he is kidnapped and forced to become the public face of the cult. Later becomes instrumental in revealing the truth and carrying out Toffler’s wishes.
Dylan Jenkins
- Bio: Thomas Peterson’s loyal assistant and co-founder of Osiris. Kidnapped and threatened by Gerald Flynt’s men to ensure Peterson’s compliance. Plays a key role in exposing the truth and helping Peterson navigate the aftermath of the EMP attack.
Wesley Williams
- Bio: A politician running for Senate. Stranded in San Francisco during the Black Sky Event and witnesses the chaos firsthand. Returns home determined to protect his family and continues his political campaign.
Gerald Flynt
- Bio: The leader of the cult that orchestrates the EMP attack. Manipulative and ruthless, he uses fear and intimidation to control his followers and force Thomas Peterson into becoming their spokesperson.
Sledge
- Bio: A charismatic opportunist who emerges as a powerful warlord in the lawless San Francisco following the EMP attack. Builds a formidable gang, amasses weapons and supplies, and dreams of expanding his territory. Ultimately defeated by the US military.
Colonel Miller
- Bio: A military officer tasked with restoring order in the San Francisco Bay Area following the EMP attack. Leads the operation to neutralize Sledge and his gang. Plays a key role in rescuing Wesley Williams’ family.
Dinah Cranston
- Bio: A politician facing a challenge from Wesley Williams in the upcoming election. Robert Kully, a disgruntled former associate, tries to re-join her campaign and manipulate the situation to his advantage.
Robert Kully
- Bio: A disgruntled former associate of Dinah Cranston. Kidnaps Wesley Williams’ family in a desperate attempt to influence the election and secure a position in Cranston’s campaign.
Klaus Richter
- Bio: Head of security at the World Economic Forum in Davos. Encounters Dylan Jenkins and becomes embroiled in the events surrounding Thomas Peterson’s kidnapping.
Tobias
- Bio: Wesley Williams’ friend and business associate. Stranded in San Francisco with Williams during the Black Sky Event. Provides comic relief and offers insights into the societal changes brought about by the EMP attack.
Lynn Tam
- Bio: Tobias’ girlfriend. Loans her car to Wesley Williams to help him return home after the EMP attack. Her house is later taken over by opportunistic teenagers, highlighting the breakdown of law and order.
George Reid
- Bio: An advisor to the President of the United States. Involved in discussions about the aftermath of the EMP attack and the potential threat from China. Learns about Operation Guandi, a covert operation to arm Taiwan with nuclear weapons.
Daniel Watts
- Bio: An official working with George Reid. Provides information and analysis about the situation in the San Francisco Bay Area and the geopolitical implications of the EMP attack.
Mac
- Bio: An elderly pilot who befriends Kevin Toffler and helps him travel to Los Angeles. Represents a sense of kindness and humanity in a world ravaged by chaos.
Mr. Amburg
- Bio: The editor of the National section of the Los Angeles Times. Contacted by Kevin Toffler with information about the EMP attack and the cult’s plans.
Elizabeth Williams
- Bio: Wesley Williams’ wife and mother of their two children. Kidnapped by Robert Kully along with her family. Displays strength and resilience in the face of adversity.
Virginia and Stewart Williams
- Bio: Wesley and Elizabeth Williams’ children. Kidnapped by Robert Kully along with their parents. Virginia’s resourcefulness helps her family during their captivity.
This detailed timeline and cast of characters provide a comprehensive overview of the main events and key figures in the provided source material.
For those of you who have actually read the book, you might remember a strange reference to sticky buns. I was curious what Google Notebook thought about my little metaphor, and here’s what it had to say (ignore the numbers; those are footnotes it provides):
Sticky Buns as a Symbol of Redemption
The sticky buns that Mac gives to Kevin are symbolic of a path to redemption for Kevin. Throughout the sources, Kevin grapples with intense guilt and grief over the deaths he caused through his participation in the terrorist attacks. He isolates himself, becomes suicidal, and struggles to find meaning in his life after Alexandra’s death.
● Mac’s act of bringing Kevin his “favorite” sticky bun for breakfast demonstrates an understanding of Kevin’s character and an attempt to connect with him on a personal level12. This simple act of kindness seems to comfort Kevin, offering him a moment of respite from his guilt.
● The sticky buns are described as “best fresh”3, implying that they should be enjoyed in the present moment. Mac’s gift encourages Kevin to focus on the simple pleasures of life and find a way to move forward.
● Kevin’s admission that he “could use one right now,” referring to a friend4, suggests that he is open to connection and support, despite his isolation. Mac’s offer of friendship, combined with the gift of the sticky buns, represent a chance for Kevin to begin healing.
The sticky buns are a small gesture with a larger meaning: they represent a path back to life and a potential for redemption for Kevin. Mac’s insistence that there is “always hope”5 reinforces this idea, suggesting that even after the terrible things Kevin has done, there is still a possibility for him to find a way to make amends and live a meaningful life. This is further underscored by Kevin’s emotional breakdown at the end of the provided sources, where he weeps after realizing he has another chance6.
It’s worth noting that the significance of the sticky buns is open to interpretation, and the full novel might offer more insights into their meaning. The sources provided, however, suggest that they represent a turning point for Kevin, a moment of connection and hope amidst his despair.
Crazy, huh?
So, thanks, NYUGrad, for pestering me to try this. It’s great fun! I’m sure I’ll mess around with it some more, but this was an enjoyable and self-indulgent was to introduce myself to something really – – umm – – novel.
