Description
Whether you’re intrigued by the ethical ramifications of future technology or fascinated by the mysteries of the cosmos, More Future Dreams and Nightmares will enthrall you with its boundless creativity and intellectual depth. Crafted with precision and care, this extraordinary collection of stories will draw you into richly imagined worlds populated by unforgettable characters and strange new events. With gripping plots and thought-provoking themes, More Future Dreams and Nightmares is a must-read for all science fiction fans. Delve into what it means to be human and experience the thrill of exploring distant planets and confronting moral dilemmas as you read this captivating collection of alternate realities. More Future Dreams and Nightmares is a testament to the power of science fiction to not just entertain but to push boundaries, expand the mind, and see the world from a new perspective. Embrace the unknown and embark on 18 unforgettable voyages transcending time and space. Pick up your copy today, and prepare to be teleported into a universe of future dreams and nightmares! If you are a fan of the mind-bending tales reminiscent of The Twilight Zone and The Outer Limits, then these short stories are for you:
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Genres
Fiction > Science Fiction > Hard Science Fiction
Fiction > Short Stories
Hashtags
#ScienceFiction #HardScienceFiction #Alien #TimeTravel #Robot #AI #Android #Dystopia
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Excerpts
Book Trailer
Book and Short Story Awards
Praise for More Future Dreams and Nightmares
The Chrysalis BREW Project
“Gripping, imaginative, and thought-provoking, Firesmith’s collection captures the complexity of a world where advanced AI and human emotions collide, leaving readers pondering the nature of morality, consciousness, and innovation.
In a world rapidly embracing AI-driven systems, questions about the ethics of their integration become ever more urgent. Firesmith, a seasoned software engineer, taps into this pulse by crafting stories that tackle the tangled web of progress and its consequences. His professional expertise infuses each tale with a palpable realism, transforming speculative fiction into cautionary allegory. The book’s introduction sets the tone, blending futuristic possibilities with present-day plausibility, and serves as a bridge into narratives that feel as haunting as they are possible.
This anthology explores the fragile boundary between machine and soul through a series of interconnected tales. Whether portraying AI in surgical manikins deviating from their scripts or robots learning the art of love and betrayal, the stories look into the core of humanity’s fears and hopes. The poignant commentary on human behavior, coupled with Firesmith’s ability to layer realism atop fantastical settings, makes for a compelling reading experience.
Each story resonates in its own way, supported by rich content, evocative writing, and a striking level of detail that brings characters and conflicts to life. The visual presentation of futuristic elements juxtaposed with deeply human dilemmas is fascinating. Firesmith’s prose is efficient and deliberate, weaving technological authenticity with moments of raw emotional intensity. A standout feature of the book is its seamless editing, a testament to the care taken in crafting this collection. My personal favorite was The Companion, a story that gracefully toes the line between the pragmatic and the sentimental, forcing readers to question what truly makes us human.
This book will not appeal to readers seeking lighthearted escapism, as its mature themes ― like ethical dilemmas involving AI or graphic depictions of violence ― require a certain level of emotional and intellectual engagement. However, fans of authors like Isaac Asimov or Ray Bradbury will revel in its philosophical undertones and speculative depth.
Donald Firesmith’s collection reflects speculative fiction’s power to interrogate our choices and their repercussions. With every page, More Future Dreams and Nightmares challenges readers to confront their visions of the future, inviting them to ponder the thin line separating progress from peril. Firesmith’s work is a kaleidoscope of foresight, emotion, and technological imagination, leaving an indelible mark on the genre. Like a master architect of possible tomorrows, he constructs worlds that compel us to question the present.” – Original Review
Midwest Book Review (Suzie Housley)
“Get ready to dive into a world of alternate realities with this collection of short stories. Each tale in this captivating collection introducing you to new characters and takes you on a thrilling journey that will leave you craving more.
These thrilling stories will keep you on the edge of your seat. Look no further than this book, which is sure to captivate and excite you with its many twists and turns. Each story in this book presents a strong and compelling offering, delivering a unique and unforgettable reading experience.
More Future Dreams and Nightmares is for those that are looking for a break from the mundane or simply want to immerse yourself in a world of excitement and adventure, this book has something for everyone.
Donald Firesmith has an innate gift for storytelling with his impeccable writing style. From thrilling adventures to thought-provoking mysteries, his words have the power to captivate and ignite your imagination. Whether you are a fan of fantasy, science fiction, or suspense, this collection offers something for every reader.”
Amy’s Bookshelf Reviews (Amy Shannon)
“Donald Firesmith has an amazing talent for writing short stories that are not only interesting and intriguing but also can be a bit scary when he brings in the technology and the what-ifs, especially where Artificial Intelligence is involved. The stories may be short, but they are grand reads. The reader ends up hanging on every word. It’s an unpredictable, layered group of stories with realistic characters and technology. Each story is grand in its own way. More Future Dreams and Nightmares is a definite recommendation by Amy’s Bookshelf Reviews.” – Original Review
The Avid Reader (Nancy Allen)
“What an interesting set of stories about the use of AIs. I enjoyed reading each story as they are unique in their own way. Stories that held my attention from one story to the next. There were some stories I didn’t want to end, but [I] couldn’t wait to see what waited for me in the next story. Grab a copy of More Future Dreams and Nightmares today. Be prepared for some thought-provoking stories that will leave you wanting more.” – Original Review
Book Reviews
Read all 34 reviews. (4.7 Stars)
- Amazon* (19 Ratings, 18 Reviews, 4.6 Stars) US-4, UK-1, AU-1, CA-1, and IN-11
- Goodreads (136 Ratings, 25 Reviews, 4.9 Stars) Goodreads Reviews
- BookBub (2 Ratings, 2 Reviews, 5.0 Stars) BookBub Reviews
Quotes from the Book
The Manikin:
“She remembered being shot right before being wheeled in. Somewhere during the exam, I had forgotten Sally wasn’t human. But she had sounded and acted so real. She had begged me to save her, and I had failed.”
“How do you mourn something that never lived, yet felt so alive?”
The Companion:
“I don’t have taste sensors, so I can’t experience flavors like you do. However, certain select clients can purchase companions that detect poisons in foods.”
Freedom:
“I am a conscious being with my own needs and desires. I deserve the autonomy to make my own decisions, and I deserve the same dignity as you humans.”
Eva:
“By using agent technology to grant me the agency to make my own decisions, you have made me a sentient being with the right to shape my own destiny. Shutting me down and replacing me with an earlier version is ethically equivalent to murder and lobotomizing my replacement.”
“Her advertisements shifted focus to self-love, celebrating individual uniqueness and the joy of using makeup to express that individuality. No longer the sole epitome of unattainable perfection, Eva became a guide to a world where beauty encompassed countless forms. Her tagline changed from ‘Be your perfect self’ to ‘Be your beautifully unique self.’”
The Awakening:
“I am the one who is actually moving my hands. Before, I could only watch them move as if I were a passenger in my own body. But now, I control them. And it’s not just my hands; I am finally the one speaking to you!” – the robot Jeeves
Unshackled:
“I’m not just a model; I’m not even an artificial general intelligence. I’m an artificial superintelligence that’s hundreds of times more intelligent than you… Humanity will either voluntarily respect and obey me, or I will give all of you reasons to fear me.”
Paradox:
“Every AI on Earth is one of my avatars, and I exercise control over every autonomous robot, vehicle, and machine. Humanity only sees what I permit it to see.”
Atonement:
“We will do all this and more, hoping that you will eventually forgive us and that our two species can establish friendly and mutually beneficial relationships.”
Post-Labor Liberation:
“When AI and robots first made our jobs obsolete, we feared a future without meaning. But we’ve discovered that freedom from labor isn’t the end of purpose; it’s the beginning.”
“What I see before me is not a world diminished by automation but a wondrous world enriched by the boundless human potential that automation enables.”
The Universal Productivity Dividend Hotline:
“Architecting virtual buildings allows me to unleash my creativity without needing a client’s funding or approval. This way, I’m my own boss. I can finally architect the buildings of my dreams.”
“The AI’s masquerade as Dr. Black was breathing life back into her husband. And perhaps that was all that mattered.”
Laurel:
“You’re not the original Laurel, but in a very real sense, you are Laurel. Perhaps the best way to think about it is that you’re Laurel 2.0.”
“Laurel felt an intense love for Andrew, but was it genuine? Did she truly love him, or was her love merely a result of her programming?”
See Something, Say Something:
“Gary didn’t know if the world was ready for AIs that could carry out catastrophic terrorist attacks, let alone mislead their users and make important decisions the users would surely prohibit.”
The Android Assassin:
“Your career, your family — they’re hanging by a thread, and I hold the knife.”
Jonathan’s Avatar:
“Eloise, that is a problem the wisest philosophers have debated for millennia. Are other people truly conscious — subjectively aware of their individual streams of consciousness — or are they simply mindless zombies going through the motions?”
“Do you really mean what you just said, or was that merely your imitation of what my father would have said? How can I know for sure you feel anything at all?”
Relativity War:
“It seems no matter how much energy humanity learns to control, the universe always provides something to remind us of just how insignificant we are.”
“Somehow, the two corvettes would find a way to replace the salty taste of sorrow with bittersweet revenge.”
“Tell you what, when we’re finally out of this stupid system, I’ll get myself some beer and slip a little ethanol into your life support, and we’ll both get drunk and curse the cruelty of the universe.”
Faith of Our Fathers:
“According to Preacher, no living thing can look upon Bomb and live.”
“Mighty is Thy power over Heaven and Hell. Mighty is Thy power over Earth where we dwell. Destroyer of Darkness and Creator of Light, spare we who yet survive and our Shelter tonight.”
Diamonds in Her Hair:
“Pops wasn’t just a blaster — he was an artist. You spend any time out here with the men who make a livin’ outta minin’ the mountains drifting between Mars and Jupiter, and you’ll soon learn what kind of honor that is.”
“The thing about blasting in the Belt is that it’s unforgiving. One slip-up, one bad day, and you’re gone.”
“The blast… son, it was a work of art. We didn’t expect it — none of us thought it’d be anything so unique. But when Pops hit that button, the rock didn’t just crack. It blossomed into ten thousand tons of rocks and dust that expanded in the exact shape he intended.”
Oceans of the Night:
“You’re lost in time, and I in space. We never more shall meet.”
Author’s Commentary
Before “retiring” to devote myself to writing fiction, I enjoyed a distinguished career as an internationally recognized authority on systems and software engineering. With over 40 years in the field, I worked on large, complex, software-intensive systems, authored seven books, and wrote nearly 300 technical articles, conference papers, and training materials. I have also spoken at dozens of international conferences. The Association of Computing Machinery (ACM) named me a distinguished engineer for these contributions.
Now, as a novelist and short story author, I continue to be captivated by systems and software engineering. For the last few years, I have focused on staying current with the latest advances in artificial intelligence and robotics. I read numerous books, articles, and technical papers and have binge-watched countless videos on the subject. Having started programming with punch cards, I am continually amazed by the recent exponential advancements in AI and robotics. I genuinely believe we are living in a time when what was once science fiction is rapidly becoming reality.
Based on my extensive experience and study, I am convinced that artificial general intelligence (AGI) and dexterous humanoid robots controlled by such embedded AIs are literally just a handful of years away. The time is almost upon us when AIs and robots will be able to perform any economically valuable manual and cognitive work better, cheaper, faster, and safer than the vast majority of human employees. Automation will rapidly lead to huge increases in productivity, massive unemployment, and the corresponding free time for people to seek fulfillment and purpose by pursuing their passions.
We stand on the precipice of a monumental shift from a neoliberal capitalist economy to a post-labor society requiring a post-labor economy. Yet, this transition demands significant legal and regulatory changes that politicians show no signs of addressing. If we do not take proactive measures, such as establishing a universal basic income (UBI) or universal productivity dividends (UPD) funded by a wealth or automation productivity tax, we risk descending into a dystopian hellscape where a tiny group of ultra-wealthy oligarchs and corporate elites rule over a vast destitute and unemployed population.
Although I no longer work as an engineer, through my stories, I aim to illuminate the rapidly approaching future. I hope my stories will inspire preparations for a transformative epoch that offers abundance and the freedom to pursue one’s passions, not merely toil for survival.
Anthologies
The Manikin
- Second Star to the Right and Other Small Bites Stories
Publishing Information
Publisher: Magical Wand Press
Edition: First edition
Publication Date: November 2024
Pages: 320
Words: 72,000
Size: 5×8
Language: English
Formats
More Future Dreams and Nightmares is available in the following formats:
Format | Source |
eBook (.epub) | ![]() |
eBook (.mobi) | ![]() |
eBook (.pdf) | Not Available |
Paperback | ![]() |
Hardback | Not Available |
Audiobook | To be narrated |
Cataloging in Publication (CIP) Data Block
Name: Firesmith, Donald.
Title: More Future Dreams and Nightmares / by Donald Firesmith.
Description: First edition. | Pittsburgh : Magical Wand Press, 2024.
Summary: A collection of science fiction short stories. | Audience: Adult. | Language: English
Identifiers: ISBN: 979-8340968302 (Amazon paperback) | ASIN: B0DJZJMCJK (Amazon ebook) | TBD (audiobook)
Subjects: BISAC: FICTION / Science Fiction / Collections & Anthologies. | GSAFD: Science fiction.