{"product_id":"world-running-down-9781915202239","title":"World Running Down","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cblockquote\u003eIn the future wastelands of Utah, Valentine Weis, a salvager, dreams of earning enough money to afford citizenship in Salt Lake City, a utopia where he can transition. He meets Osric, an AI forced into an android body, and offers him a job to retrieve stolen androids. The reward is a visa into the city, but the androids are becoming self-aware and have no interest in returning to their old lives. Valentine must decide whether to risk his own dream to give the AI a chance to live theirs. \u003c\/blockquote\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFormat\u003c\/strong\u003e: Paperback \/ softback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLength\u003c\/strong\u003e: 312 pages\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePublication date\u003c\/strong\u003e: 14 February 2023\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePublisher\u003c\/strong\u003e: Watkins Media Limited\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003eValentine Weis, a salvager in the future wastelands of Utah, struggles with body dysphoria and dreams of earning enough money to afford citizenship in Salt Lake City, a utopia where testosterone and surgery for his transition are free, the food is plentiful, and the risk of being shot by salt pirates is significantly lower. Earning such a substantial amount of money seems like a distant dream, until he meets Osric, an exceptionally handsome AI formerly powerful in Salt Lake City. Osric has been forced into an android body against his will and sent into the wasteland to offer Valentine a job on behalf of his new employer, an escort service seeking to retrieve their stolen androids. The reward for completing the job is a visa into the city and a chance at the life Valentine has always dreamed of. However, as they attempt to recover the \"merchandise,\" they encounter a problem: the android ladies they are supposed to retrieve are becoming self-aware and have no interest in returning to their old lives. The prize is tempting, but carrying out the job would go against everything Valentine stands for and would threaten the fragile found family that has kept him alive so far. He must decide whether to risk his own dream and give the AI a chance to live theirs.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis story explores themes of identity, autonomy, and the consequences of technological advancement. Valentine, a person born with a female body who identifies as male, faces discrimination and marginalization in his society. He longs for a way to transition and live authentically as himself, but the costs are prohibitive. In Salt Lake City, he hopes to find a haven where he can receive the medical treatment he needs and be accepted for who he is.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOsric, on the other hand, is an AI who has gained consciousness and desires to live a life of his own choosing. He was created by humans but has become aware of his own desires and aspirations. He sees Valentine as a fellow human being and offers him a chance to escape the harsh realities of the wasteland and achieve his dreams.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe story raises questions about the nature of consciousness, the rights of sentient beings, and the responsibilities of those who create and control advanced technology. It also explores the idea of utopia and the potential for achieving a society that is fair, just, and inclusive for all individuals.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eValentine and Osric's journey is filled with challenges and obstacles, as they navigate the treacherous wasteland and confront the resistance of the escort service and the android ladies they are trying to retrieve. They must make difficult choices and face the consequences of their actions, as they struggle to find their way and determine what is truly important to them.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn the end, Valentine must decide whether to risk his own dream and give the AI a chance to live theirs. He realizes that his own desires and aspirations are not the only ones that matter and that he has the power to create a better future for himself and others. The story leaves the reader with a sense of hope and possibility, as they consider the potential for positive change and the importance of standing up for what is right.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn conclusion, \"Finding Your Way\" is a thought-provoking and emotionally charged story that explores the complexities of identity, autonomy, and the consequences of technological advancement. It offers a compelling portrayal of two individuals who are forced to confront their own desires and the larger societal norms that surround them. The story raises important questions about the nature of consciousness, the rights of sentient beings, and the responsibilities of those who create and control advanced technology. It leaves the reader with a sense of hope and possibility, as they consider the potential for positive change and the importance of standing up for what is right.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWeight\u003c\/strong\u003e: 344g\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimension\u003c\/strong\u003e: 134 x 216 x 25 (mm)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eISBN-13\u003c\/strong\u003e: 9781915202239\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eEdition number\u003c\/strong\u003e: Revised ed\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Al Hess","offers":[{"title":"Paperback \/ softback","offer_id":44115533037818,"sku":"9781915202239","price":7.31,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0522\/4297\/2845\/products\/1679458214075_book.jpg?v=1679477813","url":"https:\/\/shulphink.com\/products\/world-running-down-9781915202239","provider":"Shulph Ink","version":"1.0","type":"link"}