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Bash Bash Revolution Douglas Lain 9781597809160 Books

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Bash Bash Revolution Douglas Lain 9781597809160 Books

Bash Bash Revolution is a fascinating and timely book from author, publisher, and podcaster Douglas Lain. Don't let the cover turn you off--this is far more than a young adult novel despite its coming-of-age frame. It's set in an alternate version of the US in 2017 where nuclear war is even more imminent than it already seemed at the time. It's primarily told from the perspective of teenage Matthew Munson, whose father develops an AI that may save the world from nuclear destruction but only by transforming it into something unrecognizable.

Lain primarily explores three ideas in the story, though there are many others scattered throughout. The first is the concept of and the need for social transformation. In the book, the characters work with the AI wondering how to resolve the crises they're facing. They eventually realize that modifying those making war inevitable (including Trump) isn't enough; only fundamental social change can possibly prevent their nuclear annihilation. The form this change takes is the gamification of society, turning people's lives into the video game of their choice. Matthew objects to this newly forming society while providing his account of the transformation and what led to it through a series of social media posts and messages. This raises many questions, the most pertinent being: does this apply to us as well? Must we completely change society as we know it to fend off the economic, political, and ecological crises we're facing? And if so, would the consequences of that change be worth it?

The second topic is the nature of the self. The AI that Matthew's father creates struggles with self-discovery, wondering how it can develop its own desires instead of following those of its creators. This drives the AI to seek control over society, but does external control imply internal control? And is it even possible to distinguish between desires that come from the self--whatever that may be--and the world outside us? It was quite interesting to enter the AI's mind; I only wish that more time was spent there.

The final idea explored is loneliness in modern society. Matthew struggles with feelings of isolation from the beginning, which only worsen as the story progresses. But he is far from the only character experiencing this--it seems all are alone in one way or another. Those of the Munson family especially, along with Matthew's evangelical love interest, Sally, feel lost. Matthew's father obsesses over the AI and it's capabilities while estranging his family; Matthew's mother devotes herself to her husband only to receive little in return; Sally is captivated by her visions of the afterlife, but her faith is threatened to be displaced by the allure of the AI; and Matthew tries to ignore his frustration with his dad by turning to his favorite video game, Bash Bash Revolution, only to find it impossible to escape his father's influence. The new gamified economy is especially tempting to many because of their loneliness, but Matthew resists hoping he'll reconnect with Sally despite not knowing her as well as he thinks. Our society feels just as atomized as that which Lain illustrates, making this the most visceral aspect of the story.

It's an engaging and quick read, and you'd likely enjoy it as much as I did if anything above interests you.


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Bash Bash Revolution Douglas Lain 9781597809160 Books Reviews

Not bad.
Bash Bash Revolution is a fascinating and timely book from author, publisher, and podcaster Douglas Lain. Don't let the cover turn you off--this is far more than a young adult novel despite its coming-of-age frame. It's set in an alternate version of the US in 2017 where nuclear war is even more imminent than it already seemed at the time. It's primarily told from the perspective of teenage Matthew Munson, whose father develops an AI that may save the world from nuclear destruction but only by transforming it into something unrecognizable.

Lain primarily explores three ideas in the story, though there are many others scattered throughout. The first is the concept of and the need for social transformation. In the book, the characters work with the AI wondering how to resolve the crises they're facing. They eventually realize that modifying those making war inevitable (including Trump) isn't enough; only fundamental social change can possibly prevent their nuclear annihilation. The form this change takes is the gamification of society, turning people's lives into the video game of their choice. Matthew objects to this newly forming society while providing his account of the transformation and what led to it through a series of social media posts and messages. This raises many questions, the most pertinent being does this apply to us as well? Must we completely change society as we know it to fend off the economic, political, and ecological crises we're facing? And if so, would the consequences of that change be worth it?

The second topic is the nature of the self. The AI that Matthew's father creates struggles with self-discovery, wondering how it can develop its own desires instead of following those of its creators. This drives the AI to seek control over society, but does external control imply internal control? And is it even possible to distinguish between desires that come from the self--whatever that may be--and the world outside us? It was quite interesting to enter the AI's mind; I only wish that more time was spent there.

The final idea explored is loneliness in modern society. Matthew struggles with feelings of isolation from the beginning, which only worsen as the story progresses. But he is far from the only character experiencing this--it seems all are alone in one way or another. Those of the Munson family especially, along with Matthew's evangelical love interest, Sally, feel lost. Matthew's father obsesses over the AI and it's capabilities while estranging his family; Matthew's mother devotes herself to her husband only to receive little in return; Sally is captivated by her visions of the afterlife, but her faith is threatened to be displaced by the allure of the AI; and Matthew tries to ignore his frustration with his dad by turning to his favorite video game, Bash Bash Revolution, only to find it impossible to escape his father's influence. The new gamified economy is especially tempting to many because of their loneliness, but Matthew resists hoping he'll reconnect with Sally despite not knowing her as well as he thinks. Our society feels just as atomized as that which Lain illustrates, making this the most visceral aspect of the story.

It's an engaging and quick read, and you'd likely enjoy it as much as I did if anything above interests you.