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The Future of Hunger in the Age of Programmable Matter
A group of friends, a pair of lovers, and the tussle between love, addiction, and what comes next. Otto, a former addict, grateful and indebted to his lover Trevor, is faced with temptation and the threat of disaster, but he’s fighting it. Fighting it in a future where matter can be reprogrammed and anything could happen, good or bad, in Sam J. Miller's The Future of Hunger. A Tor.com Original.
At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.
At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.
25 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 18, 2017
About the author
Sam J. Miller
89 books823 followersSam J. Miller is the last in a long line of butchers, and the Nebula-Award-winning author of THE ART OF STARVING, one of NPR's Best Books of the Year. His second novel, BLACKFISH CITY was a "Must Read" according to Entertainment Weekly and O: The Oprah Magazine, and one of the best books of 2018 according to the Washington Post, Publishers Weekly, and more. He got gay-married in a guerrilla wedding in the shadow of a tyrannosaurus skeleton. He lives in New York City, and at samjmiller.com.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
November 25, 2017
I’d been doing so well. I’d fought temptation at every turn. I’d never cheated on Trevor, not once, never mind how every stroll down a Chelsea block flashed a couple dozen lean-and-hungry golden-boy-or-silver-fox grins at me, and surely just once wouldn’t hurt—except that I knew, from the still-raw psychic wounds of my momentarily-vanquished crystal meth addiction, that once was all it took to bring your life crashing down into the gutter. Not because one snort would wake you up covered in blood at Central Booking or Lincoln Hospital, but precisely because it would not, because you’d get away with it, and remember how magnificent it was, and forget every awful consequence, and keep doing it, until you’d lost everything.
review to come.
read it for yourself here:
https://www.tor.com/2017/10/18/the-fu...
September 20, 2018
literally one of the best short stories i've read? the characters had actual layers, how did he do it???
Read
June 16, 2021This story is rubbing me the wrong way, right from the start. Do I want to read yet another story of drug-addled oddballs? I'm thinking not. On hiatus, likely headed for the discard pile.
OK, I give up. Abandoned, and left unrated, since I recall nothing about it. Free copy at tor.com, linked above.
OK, I give up. Abandoned, and left unrated, since I recall nothing about it. Free copy at tor.com, linked above.
August 29, 2021
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(3.8 stars)
I thought that this was a very compelling short story. With only a restricted amount of words Miller is able to render a vivid – and disconcertingly familiar – world in which polymer (programmable matter) has become all the rage.
Our narrator, Otto, and his boyfriend are hosting a dinner during which guests discuss the dangers and advantages of polymer. Otto is however distracted by the arrival of Aarav, and by the pull he has over him. Otto's narrative is deeply nostalgic and is also able to convey an intense feeling of unease. There are the concerns raised over polymers – and its effects on our society –but also Otto's worrying over his relationship with his boyfriend. The guilt and loathing Otto has for himself furthers this feeling of unease. The story then jumps forward in time and we find Otto's world drastically changed by polymers.
Miller's style fluently depicts Otto's state of mind, and his writing is very effective in reflecting the themes of his story.
(3.8 stars)
“When I failed to weigh in on whatever theory or fact or opinion was passing around the room, he touched my arm and said, “What do you think, Otto?” Was that because he was a kind and generous person? Or did he know the game I was playing—the game of hunger, of lust, of trying to be good—and could play it just as well as me?”
I thought that this was a very compelling short story. With only a restricted amount of words Miller is able to render a vivid – and disconcertingly familiar – world in which polymer (programmable matter) has become all the rage.
Our narrator, Otto, and his boyfriend are hosting a dinner during which guests discuss the dangers and advantages of polymer. Otto is however distracted by the arrival of Aarav, and by the pull he has over him. Otto's narrative is deeply nostalgic and is also able to convey an intense feeling of unease. There are the concerns raised over polymers – and its effects on our society –but also Otto's worrying over his relationship with his boyfriend. The guilt and loathing Otto has for himself furthers this feeling of unease. The story then jumps forward in time and we find Otto's world drastically changed by polymers.
Miller's style fluently depicts Otto's state of mind, and his writing is very effective in reflecting the themes of his story.
October 28, 2017
The story is set in a future where you can control and morph an amorphous blob of nanobots in whatever shape you want or need with your cellphone. Who need this special purpose tools, chairs, brooms, hammers, when you can just reprogram your matter to take any shape?
But this is mainly the story of Otto, a former addict, grateful and indebted to his lover Trevor that helped him to overcome addiction. Otto though is faced with temptation and the threat of disaster, but he’s fighting his very nature to stand to it.
I liked this story a lot, mainly because of the interesting, complex, and nuanced characters. It also made me feel very uneasy, as it explores Otto's and Trevor's relation, with honesty and without holding back.
I am looking forward reading more by this author. Also a shout out to Goñi Montes for the beautiful cover.
But this is mainly the story of Otto, a former addict, grateful and indebted to his lover Trevor that helped him to overcome addiction. Otto though is faced with temptation and the threat of disaster, but he’s fighting his very nature to stand to it.
I liked this story a lot, mainly because of the interesting, complex, and nuanced characters. It also made me feel very uneasy, as it explores Otto's and Trevor's relation, with honesty and without holding back.
I am looking forward reading more by this author. Also a shout out to Goñi Montes for the beautiful cover.
November 24, 2017
An intriguing foray in the dark futures of DIY chemistry programmes. A promising setup from a skilled writer.
April 17, 2018
well, that was odd.
December 17, 2021
just deranged enough that it's relevant
October 22, 2017
I'm amazed at how much is packed into this short story. Interesting characters, a dysfunctional relationship, a neat sci-fi concept, and . Really great!
October 20, 2017
Interesting short story, both on a character level and a sci-fi fantastical level.
April 19, 2022
An odd Gay/Kaiju story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 7, 2017
a short story, which i absolutely adore. "the future of hunger in the age of programmable matter" (what a title) intertwines the global with the personal, and remains so very intimate even when discussing a futuristic technology and worldwide change.
the technology, a sort of "smart" polymer people can control and shape with apps on their phones or computer programs, is both incredibly cool and incredibly terrifying; the main character, otto, is a gay man tempted by a guest at his dinner party, while feeling both in love with and bitter about his own boyfriend. and the story escalates from there, intertwining these two elements to surprising, thought-provoking, and compelling heights.
free on tor.com.
the technology, a sort of "smart" polymer people can control and shape with apps on their phones or computer programs, is both incredibly cool and incredibly terrifying; the main character, otto, is a gay man tempted by a guest at his dinner party, while feeling both in love with and bitter about his own boyfriend. and the story escalates from there, intertwining these two elements to surprising, thought-provoking, and compelling heights.
free on tor.com.
December 9, 2017
Hi my name is Hasina lam from Afghanistan ia m spark drie and Hasbro i like music iam com here Spokane lam very happy because i like Spokane l like the proposal i like my teacher my friends i like school only i a m read a book because i no understand English my family very happy because Spokane is beautiful . 3 month here in Spokane . I am 15 my bride 4 10 2003 my school name Ferris high school.I am 3 farther And 2 sisther sorry lam not writing the English thank you spokane is good i think is good because I like it my class English and computer . My favored Ferris high school and Apple meilk .
December 6, 2017
"They add up, the tiny harmless things we harbor, the little guilts and baby sins, the crimes we think we only commit against ourselves. The indignities we suffer. The stories we tell ourselves about how wicked we are. Or how helpless. They can crush cities, raise seas."
The writing in this is so gorgeous, the characters so well-developed despite it's length, I'll definitely be checking out more of the author's work.
The writing in this is so gorgeous, the characters so well-developed despite it's length, I'll definitely be checking out more of the author's work.
March 2, 2018
This magnificent piece of short fiction captured my imagination with it's futuristic lol at man's downfall at his own hand. What grabbed me and didn't let go was the visceral, human nature of desire. I find myself breathless as I read through the second half waiting and wondering what would happen. The dual-layered message of the tug of was between restraint and hunger offers a potential lesson for us all.
February 13, 2019
The polymer was an interesting idea, though I'm not convinced it would get to those sort of apocalyptic scenarios. Loved the queerness and pretty accurate delve into addiction/recovery. Glad, at the end, Otto realized what he did about Trevor.
Read
September 7, 2023Weird but I loved it
March 21, 2018
This is darkly queer and unflinchingly honest, which I feel is a good description of everything of Miller’s I’ve read.
There’s so much going on here: Otto’s self-loathing, the imbalance of his relationship with Trevor, his hunger and desire and all the ways it manifests in the way he responds to Aarav. I’m not sure I agree 100% with the implications of the SF macro-story, but the people are exactly right.
There’s so much going on here: Otto’s self-loathing, the imbalance of his relationship with Trevor, his hunger and desire and all the ways it manifests in the way he responds to Aarav. I’m not sure I agree 100% with the implications of the SF macro-story, but the people are exactly right.
May 11, 2022
I actually read 17 short stories (including The Future of Hunger) by Sam J. Miller, in all. These stories are featured on many websites, books, and podcasts—including Lightspeed, Clarkesworld, and Uncanny, among others—and can been found linked to Miller's website here: http://samjmiller.com/stories/.
I can't possibly recommend these stories more highly. Fans of his two novels will find many hidden connections (or pre-ideas) developed later in The Art of Starving and Blackfish City, but every single one was stand-alone perfection. For those unfamiliar with Miller, these stories are a great starting point into his unique world-building and storytelling. They are a blend of science fiction and speculative fiction, often reflections of human identity and the grip of human desire. They are diverse and bold. They are aching, gorgeously written (Miller is a first-rate stylist), tender, unsettling, sexy, and bizarre.
At first I planned to rank all of the stories, but they are still settling within me. But I know I'm going to read these all again someday so that can wait. I would love to see these stories compiled someday in story collection, and I'd happily buy that book.
My favourite story of the bunch was probably "Things With Beards." When I realized the story was essentially fanfiction of John Carpenter's The Thing, I immediately read it all over again. And it is sheer brilliance.
Other Most Faves: "We are the Cloud"; "The Heat of Us: Notes Toward an Oral History"; "Last Gods"; "57 Reasons for the Slate Quarry Suicides"; "Calved"; "When Your Child Strays from God"; "To Die Dancing"; "Sex, Death, Facebook" (essay); "Angel, Monster, Man"; and "The Future of Hunger in the Age of Programmable Matter."
Also Worthy of a Re-reading or two: "The Ways Out"; “Allosaurus Burgers"; "Ghosts of Home"; "Red Lizard Brigade"; "Men Kill Things"; "Kenneth: A User's Manual."
There are actually a few more stories I'll have to seek out, but this was an exciting week of reading stories across the web by one of my new favourite authors.
I can't possibly recommend these stories more highly. Fans of his two novels will find many hidden connections (or pre-ideas) developed later in The Art of Starving and Blackfish City, but every single one was stand-alone perfection. For those unfamiliar with Miller, these stories are a great starting point into his unique world-building and storytelling. They are a blend of science fiction and speculative fiction, often reflections of human identity and the grip of human desire. They are diverse and bold. They are aching, gorgeously written (Miller is a first-rate stylist), tender, unsettling, sexy, and bizarre.
At first I planned to rank all of the stories, but they are still settling within me. But I know I'm going to read these all again someday so that can wait. I would love to see these stories compiled someday in story collection, and I'd happily buy that book.
My favourite story of the bunch was probably "Things With Beards." When I realized the story was essentially fanfiction of John Carpenter's The Thing, I immediately read it all over again. And it is sheer brilliance.
Other Most Faves: "We are the Cloud"; "The Heat of Us: Notes Toward an Oral History"; "Last Gods"; "57 Reasons for the Slate Quarry Suicides"; "Calved"; "When Your Child Strays from God"; "To Die Dancing"; "Sex, Death, Facebook" (essay); "Angel, Monster, Man"; and "The Future of Hunger in the Age of Programmable Matter."
Also Worthy of a Re-reading or two: "The Ways Out"; “Allosaurus Burgers"; "Ghosts of Home"; "Red Lizard Brigade"; "Men Kill Things"; "Kenneth: A User's Manual."
There are actually a few more stories I'll have to seek out, but this was an exciting week of reading stories across the web by one of my new favourite authors.
March 9, 2020
Delightful, in a somber way. This reminded me of something Greg Egan would right, but a whole lot more queer. Really interesting concept and execution.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews