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Biohacked & Begging: And Other Stories
The future is ours and it’s up for grabs…
Immerse yourself in the future of biohacking and implants, genetic modification, blockchain micro-transactions and futuristic dating-apps with author of 'Eating Robots', Stephen Oram.
Prodding and poking the possible in volume 2 of Nudge the Future, Oram starts with another flash fiction foray into the world of Unified Sentience and ends with virtual reality for babies and biohacked fish.
With sharpness and wit, these sci-fi shorts will grab your imagination and refuse to let go.
Immerse yourself in the future of biohacking and implants, genetic modification, blockchain micro-transactions and futuristic dating-apps with author of 'Eating Robots', Stephen Oram.
Prodding and poking the possible in volume 2 of Nudge the Future, Oram starts with another flash fiction foray into the world of Unified Sentience and ends with virtual reality for babies and biohacked fish.
With sharpness and wit, these sci-fi shorts will grab your imagination and refuse to let go.
- GenresShort Stories
164 pages, Paperback
First published April 9, 2019
2 people are currently reading
33 people want to read
About the author
Stephen Oram
23 books49 followersI write novels and flash fiction that are designed set off small firecrackers of thought to light the world slightly differently inside your head!
I've been a hippie-punk, a religious-squatter and a bureaucrat-anarchist; I thrive on contradictions and am a great believer in being slightly askew from the crowd. There's all sorts of ways of doing that - by being on the fringes of society, by travelling to other cultures or simply by being tipsy during the day.
I write contemporary dystopian fiction set in a recognisable near-future. I love taking reality, nudging it out of kilter and seeing what happens.
Like each and every one of us, my perspective of the world has been affected by many people and experiences: as a teenager I was heavily influenced by the ethos of punk; in my early twenties I embraced the squatter scene and then joined a religious cult, briefly; I did some computer stuff in what became London’s silicon roundabout; and I’m now a civil servant with a gentle attraction to anarchism.
You can find more about me and my writing on my website www.stephenoram.net
I've been a hippie-punk, a religious-squatter and a bureaucrat-anarchist; I thrive on contradictions and am a great believer in being slightly askew from the crowd. There's all sorts of ways of doing that - by being on the fringes of society, by travelling to other cultures or simply by being tipsy during the day.
I write contemporary dystopian fiction set in a recognisable near-future. I love taking reality, nudging it out of kilter and seeing what happens.
Like each and every one of us, my perspective of the world has been affected by many people and experiences: as a teenager I was heavily influenced by the ethos of punk; in my early twenties I embraced the squatter scene and then joined a religious cult, briefly; I did some computer stuff in what became London’s silicon roundabout; and I’m now a civil servant with a gentle attraction to anarchism.
You can find more about me and my writing on my website www.stephenoram.net
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
April 11, 2019
Biohacked & Begging is the second volume of flash fiction shorts in the Nudge the Future series which is a selection of speculative stories that push the realms of possibility. It depicts a dystopian future that is both frightening and intriguing and is intensely thought-provoking giving the reader food for thought about whether we can live alongside advanced technology or whether we are doomed to be enslaved by AI creations. There are some fantastic ideas here and the worlds created in each instance are profoundly imaginative, although of course, it's subjective when it comes to which you find most entertaining and enjoyable.
This is a must-read for speculative fiction fans and those with an interest in cutting edge science and technology but it touches on issues of our existence, too. I loved it and will be seeking out more work of Mr Oram's in the future.
Many thanks to Cameron Publicity & Marketing Ltd for an ARC.
This is a must-read for speculative fiction fans and those with an interest in cutting edge science and technology but it touches on issues of our existence, too. I loved it and will be seeking out more work of Mr Oram's in the future.
Many thanks to Cameron Publicity & Marketing Ltd for an ARC.
March 31, 2019
An intriguing collection of shorts, some even flash fiction short, exploring a future of nano-bots, implants,and more. It's a future that is dystopian in feel, oft-putting, uncomfortable, treacherous, one where perhaps we are all unsure what all this advanced technology has bought us. Are we better off enhanced, implanted, nano-botted? Or are we just as insecure, nervous, and unsure. Some real gems here among others that didn't fascinate entirely.
May 24, 2019
Biohacked and Begging is an interesting collection of short stories. These center around the possible futures that technology could bring to humanity. It's a glimpse of what our world could look like with technology at the helm, but isn't that the case already, at least in some regards? I found many of these stories frighteningly plausible. Don't we all see it, though, admittedly or not--the imminent freight train of a remotely controlled existence and our powerlessness against it? This collection is engrossing, eye opening and thought provoking. The ideas will drift, and possibly settle, in your mind long after the last page. I recommend for anyone who is interested in the direction technology is taking us. Truly fascinating! Thanks to NetGalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.
October 13, 2019
Biohacked & Begging is the second volume of Stephen Oram’s Nudge the Future series, which collects the best of his short near-future fiction pieces.
Containing 25 stories across 170 pages, some of these are obviously very short, but there are so many ideas packed in that it’s a real achievement. It’s a brevity that suits the fast-moving culture we’ve found ourselves in, where apps compete for our attention and information is trucked into our minds at every second. You can easily read a story on a coffee break or commute, though I have to say I found myself racing through this in only a couple of sittings in the end. They’re moreish, see. Like those weird flavours of crisps that you think you’ll try once for novelty and move on, then find yourself licking the packet an hour later… But maybe that’s just me.
Oram forgets no one in his vignettes of future life. Young and old, rich and poor; we’re all hurtling forwards with a real possibility of bio-hacked bodies, behaviour-based payment systems and AI-integrated societies. It will affect all of us differently, especially with an approaching climate crisis and political turmoil layered on top. This makes Biohacked & Begging a necessary kind of book for our time, as well as a necessary form. How better to open eyes, start conversations and play around with ideas than in speculative narrative? This is the kind of science fiction that has always been fuel for imagination and drive: far enough from reality that we thank our lucky stars but near enough that we’re left contemplating. What if that was me?
Every story here is accessible, flowing and rich in unusual imagery that really stays with you. I can’t get the picture of the cow cathedral and its congregation out of my head. Babies writhing in gel-filled pods driving re-engineered fish at the bottom of the ocean. Flesh disintegrating and grey from lack of contact… and of course the society built on rainbow strata and its prototype holographic neuron spheres. I was thrilled to discover that last one, which is based on the same world as Fluence: a novel by the same author.
Other scenarios include an evolved alien intelligence who visits us and reports back home on his conclusions about our planet. An advanced enhancement that allows us to change our presented gender at will. Pleasure amplification nanobots shooting around our bloodstream, and no-go zones policed by figures with mysterious boxes. Advanced dating apps, genetic engineering, virtual butlers. Protection and healing. Surveillance and punishment. So many ingredients that go into this one multi-faceted exploration of the way we identify ourselves and connect to one another. It’s a work of complexity made easy.
In summary, Biohacked & Begging skillfully extrapolates ideas from cutting-edge tech and applies them to daily routines, exposing our greeds and vulnerabilities but also, I think, our saving graces. It’s probing, entertaining and pertinent to this critical moment in humanity’s development. Highly recommended.
Containing 25 stories across 170 pages, some of these are obviously very short, but there are so many ideas packed in that it’s a real achievement. It’s a brevity that suits the fast-moving culture we’ve found ourselves in, where apps compete for our attention and information is trucked into our minds at every second. You can easily read a story on a coffee break or commute, though I have to say I found myself racing through this in only a couple of sittings in the end. They’re moreish, see. Like those weird flavours of crisps that you think you’ll try once for novelty and move on, then find yourself licking the packet an hour later… But maybe that’s just me.
Oram forgets no one in his vignettes of future life. Young and old, rich and poor; we’re all hurtling forwards with a real possibility of bio-hacked bodies, behaviour-based payment systems and AI-integrated societies. It will affect all of us differently, especially with an approaching climate crisis and political turmoil layered on top. This makes Biohacked & Begging a necessary kind of book for our time, as well as a necessary form. How better to open eyes, start conversations and play around with ideas than in speculative narrative? This is the kind of science fiction that has always been fuel for imagination and drive: far enough from reality that we thank our lucky stars but near enough that we’re left contemplating. What if that was me?
Every story here is accessible, flowing and rich in unusual imagery that really stays with you. I can’t get the picture of the cow cathedral and its congregation out of my head. Babies writhing in gel-filled pods driving re-engineered fish at the bottom of the ocean. Flesh disintegrating and grey from lack of contact… and of course the society built on rainbow strata and its prototype holographic neuron spheres. I was thrilled to discover that last one, which is based on the same world as Fluence: a novel by the same author.
Other scenarios include an evolved alien intelligence who visits us and reports back home on his conclusions about our planet. An advanced enhancement that allows us to change our presented gender at will. Pleasure amplification nanobots shooting around our bloodstream, and no-go zones policed by figures with mysterious boxes. Advanced dating apps, genetic engineering, virtual butlers. Protection and healing. Surveillance and punishment. So many ingredients that go into this one multi-faceted exploration of the way we identify ourselves and connect to one another. It’s a work of complexity made easy.
In summary, Biohacked & Begging skillfully extrapolates ideas from cutting-edge tech and applies them to daily routines, exposing our greeds and vulnerabilities but also, I think, our saving graces. It’s probing, entertaining and pertinent to this critical moment in humanity’s development. Highly recommended.
March 27, 2019
Received a copy via Netgalley in return for an honest review.
Science fiction is not about the future, as some generally assume, but stories that are meant to provoke, discuss, and debate deep sociological perspectives of humans in an all- scientific and technologically altered society.
In Biohacked and Begging from author Stephen Oram, the reader will find an amazing, funny, thoughtful, set of short stories.
In here examples of ‘worlds’ in which humans are genetically altered, individuals are categorised in colours when reaching adulthood, in which man is genetically enhanced with bio chips, in which marriage vows is a one way trip to hell, in which some can dislocate and rip off limbs for fun, where finding a sexual partner is computer engineered for better success; worlds in which automated accounts are illegal, skins turn grey, in which social stars shy away from public, and where global wars are decided quite different, and where the promise to protect the coral at all costs is taken a bit too literal…
Some flash fiction in this collection as well, I enjoyed the story about the envoy who has to decide the future of mankind best. A wonderful collection of thoughtful and inspirational stories about what it means to be human in a technological world, and what’ll happen when technology will have the better part of us. Loved it!
Blown away by this inspirational collection, I hope to be able to read more from Stephen Oram.
Highly recommended!
Stories:
- Biohacked and begging
- Mr Enhancement
- Dormant Status
- Pumped up Presidents
- I am Blue
- The Envoy of the Ultimate Observer
- Effortless
- Reconned
- Capitalist Crumbs
- Zygosity Saves the Day
- Modified Manhood
- Keep Apart
- The Cathedral of Cows
- Plasmodermi Protection
June 7, 2019
I picked this one up because I had read Fluence by Stephen Oram. I was curious to see read some other work by Stephen Oram. Also, this is a book of short stories, so quick reads. I wasn’t disappointed.
Stephen Oram has the ability to transport you into a future world where we have been changed by technology. Some of the stories address actual implants that affect human lives, some are external technologies. There is a short story related to Fluence in this collection, which I definitely enjoyed. Overall I thought that the collection was interesting. There were some stories I enjoyed more than others. That is the nice thing about a short story collection, there isn’t a huge time investment, and you can stop after one story. Definitely a fan of Mr. Oram’s style, Biohacked & Begging is an excellent read.
Stephen Oram has the ability to transport you into a future world where we have been changed by technology. Some of the stories address actual implants that affect human lives, some are external technologies. There is a short story related to Fluence in this collection, which I definitely enjoyed. Overall I thought that the collection was interesting. There were some stories I enjoyed more than others. That is the nice thing about a short story collection, there isn’t a huge time investment, and you can stop after one story. Definitely a fan of Mr. Oram’s style, Biohacked & Begging is an excellent read.
April 16, 2019
Everything about this book is aesthetically pleasing to me. The cover, title, and summary.
Very happy that Netgalley let me snag this.
Anyone that is a fan of Cyber Punk is going to enjoy this.
Very happy that Netgalley let me snag this.
Anyone that is a fan of Cyber Punk is going to enjoy this.
August 5, 2019
I absolutely love these sci-fi shorts and I am thinking that volume 1 must be awesome as well! This is a great collection of sci-fi that is so easy to read but so satisfying. I want more!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 3, 2019
These stories were quite good. Liked the variety and imagination. Many were very short but still worked.
I really appreciate the ARC for review!!
I really appreciate the ARC for review!!
February 11, 2022
WOW! Biohacked & Begging is written in a way that makes you think all of these stories would be possible in the future.
Great book and one I highly recommend.
Great book and one I highly recommend.
October 22, 2022
Lots of short stories, some very short, most containing a single idea. Some of these are goofy ideas, but not all. I like the title story, for instance, and wish it were longer.
July 19, 2021
This novel is a collection of science fiction short stories set in the future. Each story has the characters interacting and playing with futuristic technology that we can only dream of today. Some of the stories also feature social commentary on today's society, whether it's the way we treat the elderly or the sick. A few of my favorite stories were Biohacked & Begging, ReConned, and Capitalist Crumbs.
Beautiful cover that fits nicely with a great, well written novel.
Biohacked & Begging ★★★★★
What would happen if empathy was forced onto people? The best story in the anthology as it makes you think about the secrets and feelings humanity hides.
Mr. Enhancement ★★
A man with weird enhancements at a show/circus. Wasn't sure what the purpose of the enchancements were.
Dormant Status ★★★★
Alexia is no longer the most popular person on the internet and is determined to fix that. I know how the story would end, just not the particulars.
Pumped-Up Presidents ★★
President Putin and President Trump (descendants of the current ones) fight for resources on a live internet stream. Felt far, far too American and political of a story.
I Am Blue ★★★
Only half a page long. Cute story but too short to have substance.
The Envoy of the Ultimate Observer ★★★★★
Interesting story that follows an alien living on Earth appraising humanity and their worthiness for continual survival. I love the commentary on humans: additive substances, body modifications and the hieracy of species (all lifeforms on Earth).
Effort Less ★★★★
Great story that takes place in the future about a man unhappy at work. It can definitely be seen as a reflection of today's society.
ReConned ★★★★
Great story about the dangers of technology.
Syrup and Cigarettes ★★★
An addict gets in trouble with his dealer. I liked the story except the abrupt and incomplete ending.
Capitalist Crumbs ★★★★★
Great story about corporation war and its affects on the citizens.
The Queen's Heart ★★
The Queen is dying of caner and needs radical new therapy to survive. I couldn't get into the story as I found it boring and the characters were uninteresting.
Zygosity Saves the Day ★★★★
An aunt and her niece try to save Beatrice from an old age home. Loved the detail and description of the medical system in the future.
Modified Manhood ★★★★
Story was king of dull until the twist ending which was surprising and amazing.
Kept Apart ★★★
Two kids try to find and get into a club. Not sure why it was so difficult as I am not sure what was wrong with them.
From Dust to Digital and Back ★★★
Strange story that I'm not sure what it was about. Something digital, maybe a person's impact on the internet or the impact of the internet on an individual?
The Cathedral of Crows ★★★★
A strange tale featuring a Cult that worships cows and technology. It could be an allegory of humanities over dependence on technology.
Zenith ★★★
Story features a group arguing with an A.I.
Connections Count ★★★★
A super complex story about a girl unhappy with her future. I liked the idea of colours representing your value, even if it has been done numerous times in literature. The concept would make a good dystopian novella.
The Never-Ending Nanobot Nectar ★★★
Sasika is having trouble with black market nanobots. Interesting story about nanobots that work too well.
The Potential ★★
No idea why he was so mad about hr having an ex show up.
Happy Forever Day ★★★★
A super short story about a family's disagreement regarding aging and treatment. Good overall with a funny uncle.
Mr. Lindberg ★★★★
The MC makes a living by visiting people and interacting with them face to face. Perhaps this story is a commentary of today's society.
The Blockchain Blues ★★★
Story features a weird, new government. It was interesting but I didn't find it plausible.
Come Closer, Come Under My Skin ★★★★
This features four stories the feature numerous characters experimenting with new technology. The technology is for sex, TV/food, communications and dating. I really enjoyed them all but my favorite was the family and community stories. I can related to the guy and how horrible it would be, but also feel his life could have been easier had he been a good father and helped out.
Placodermi Protection ★★★★
A story that evolves around society's attempts to take care of and protect the dying coral. Interesting idea but it didn't feel realistic.
Thanks to Netgalley for this ARC.
Beautiful cover that fits nicely with a great, well written novel.
Biohacked & Begging ★★★★★
What would happen if empathy was forced onto people? The best story in the anthology as it makes you think about the secrets and feelings humanity hides.
Mr. Enhancement ★★
A man with weird enhancements at a show/circus. Wasn't sure what the purpose of the enchancements were.
Dormant Status ★★★★
Alexia is no longer the most popular person on the internet and is determined to fix that. I know how the story would end, just not the particulars.
Pumped-Up Presidents ★★
President Putin and President Trump (descendants of the current ones) fight for resources on a live internet stream. Felt far, far too American and political of a story.
I Am Blue ★★★
Only half a page long. Cute story but too short to have substance.
The Envoy of the Ultimate Observer ★★★★★
Interesting story that follows an alien living on Earth appraising humanity and their worthiness for continual survival. I love the commentary on humans: additive substances, body modifications and the hieracy of species (all lifeforms on Earth).
Effort Less ★★★★
Great story that takes place in the future about a man unhappy at work. It can definitely be seen as a reflection of today's society.
ReConned ★★★★
Great story about the dangers of technology.
Syrup and Cigarettes ★★★
An addict gets in trouble with his dealer. I liked the story except the abrupt and incomplete ending.
Capitalist Crumbs ★★★★★
Great story about corporation war and its affects on the citizens.
The Queen's Heart ★★
The Queen is dying of caner and needs radical new therapy to survive. I couldn't get into the story as I found it boring and the characters were uninteresting.
Zygosity Saves the Day ★★★★
An aunt and her niece try to save Beatrice from an old age home. Loved the detail and description of the medical system in the future.
Modified Manhood ★★★★
Story was king of dull until the twist ending which was surprising and amazing.
Kept Apart ★★★
Two kids try to find and get into a club. Not sure why it was so difficult as I am not sure what was wrong with them.
From Dust to Digital and Back ★★★
Strange story that I'm not sure what it was about. Something digital, maybe a person's impact on the internet or the impact of the internet on an individual?
The Cathedral of Crows ★★★★
A strange tale featuring a Cult that worships cows and technology. It could be an allegory of humanities over dependence on technology.
Zenith ★★★
Story features a group arguing with an A.I.
Connections Count ★★★★
A super complex story about a girl unhappy with her future. I liked the idea of colours representing your value, even if it has been done numerous times in literature. The concept would make a good dystopian novella.
The Never-Ending Nanobot Nectar ★★★
Sasika is having trouble with black market nanobots. Interesting story about nanobots that work too well.
The Potential ★★
No idea why he was so mad about hr having an ex show up.
Happy Forever Day ★★★★
A super short story about a family's disagreement regarding aging and treatment. Good overall with a funny uncle.
Mr. Lindberg ★★★★
The MC makes a living by visiting people and interacting with them face to face. Perhaps this story is a commentary of today's society.
The Blockchain Blues ★★★
Story features a weird, new government. It was interesting but I didn't find it plausible.
Come Closer, Come Under My Skin ★★★★
This features four stories the feature numerous characters experimenting with new technology. The technology is for sex, TV/food, communications and dating. I really enjoyed them all but my favorite was the family and community stories. I can related to the guy and how horrible it would be, but also feel his life could have been easier had he been a good father and helped out.
Placodermi Protection ★★★★
A story that evolves around society's attempts to take care of and protect the dying coral. Interesting idea but it didn't feel realistic.
Thanks to Netgalley for this ARC.
October 12, 2019
This book has a series of interesting stories centred around the enhancement of humans as they are in the present day. Each was of varying length and subject differed, even though they are all loosely based around all the same subject. The stories are diverse enough to not feel repetitive.
I found this book to be an easy, entertaining read and a good way to explore a subject I don't read all that much of normally.
I found this book to be an easy, entertaining read and a good way to explore a subject I don't read all that much of normally.
May 4, 2019
I usually read novels but use a lot of short fiction for Lit courses, and love reading shorts in between novels. This collection was interesting, thought-provoking and truly entertaining. Oram shows us visions of the future and how our technology could rule our world and our actions. Scarily enough, many of the futures do not feel that far in the future. This is a great collection - it only took 24hours to devour it! Highly recommended.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews