Dissolution: A Novel

by Nicholas Binge

“Because our identities are defined by our experiences, and our experiences are just a collection of our memories. In that sense, our memories—both conscious and subconscious—are what make us human. Without memory, we would be blank slates. We would be empty.”

It’s the great tragedy of humanity that we cannot escape entropy and decay. It is built into our very being.” You raise your hands as if to grasp the very air. “Silently and remorselessly, we turn to dust.”

“If the present only exists when it’s observed, what if the past only exists because it’s remembered?”

“What is it with you people and trying to change the world?”

It doesn’t matter what decade you’re in or where you come from—a large red switch is always a large red switch.

“But I thought that’s what the memory spade did—ensure perfect memories.” “That’s the idea,” he said quietly. “But you were in my memories. And it doesn’t matter what any technology is supposed to be able to do or not. I’ve never been able to think about you objectively.”