What's Expected of Us explained

What's Expected of Us
Author:Ted Chiang
Language:English
Published In:Nature
Publication Type:Magazine
Pub Date:6 July 2005[1]

"What's Expected of Us" is a science fiction short story by American writer Ted Chiang, initially published on 6 July 2005 by Nature.[2] The story was also included in the 2006 anthology Year's Best SF 11 and in the 2019 collection .[3] [4] [5]

Plot summary

A small device, the Predictor, looks like a remote control. It consists of a button and a green display. When you press the button, the screen flashes. However, it flashes a second before you click on the button—by receiving a signal a second from the future. Millions of these devices have been sold. The Predictors create a dystopic world by providing evidence that free will is actually a myth—the future is predetermined and fixed. As a result, people become lethargic and just stop eating entirely.

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Notes and References

  1. What's expected of us . . 150 . en . 10.1038/436150a . July 2005. Chiang . Ted . 436 . 7047 . free .
  2. Web site: Crichton . Danny . Can we debate free will versus destiny in four pages? . . 29 April 2021 . February 16, 2020.
  3. Oates . Joyce Carol . Science Fiction Doesn't Have to Be Dystopian . . 29 April 2021 . May 6, 2019.
  4. Web site: Martinez-Conde . Susana . What Choice Do We Have? . . 29 April 2021 . en . December 16, 2016.
  5. Web site: Sheehan . Jason . Take A Breath And Dive Into 'Exhalation' . . 29 April 2021 . en . May 10, 2019.