Manna (novel)

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Manna is a science fiction novel by Marshall Brain that explores several issues around transhumanism. It is meant to be a thought-provoking read rather than an entertaining novel, and shows two possible outcomes of the 'robotic revolution' in the near future: one outcome is a dystopia based around US capitalism and the other is a utopia based upon a communal and technologic society in Australia.

Some themes explored :

• Brain-computer interface
• Effect of artificial intelligence and robots on society
• Proper and improper uses of technology.
• The failings of capitalism to cope with technological development.

The book can be read online for free (see link below).

[edit] Plot

The fictional story is set in 2050 and takes place in Cary, North Carolina before the narrator flies to Australia. The narrator starts at a minimum wage job at Burger-G before being laid-off, primarily due to the Manna, a computer management system, replacing people in the service industry. He then takes a bus to a small government provided welfare dormitory where he meets a friend. Soon after, he is visited by two girls who tell him that he's invited to live in Australia because his father bought stock in the Australia Project years prior. The narrator then goes on to discover the many aspects of the Australia Project.