Alex Elkus’s Reviews > A Psalm for the Wild-Built > Status Update

By the end, Dex finally admits they’re exhausted and confused about their purpose. Traveling with Mosscap influences Dex to slow down and actually think about what they need. Mosscap’s questions really challenge Dex’s perspective on life and create deep thought.Their trip shows that growing as a person happens in moments and real talks, not just through big moves. It's a solid reminder that it’s okay to just be.

I noticed an interesting part where Mosscap asks Dex what humans actually need. Dex totally blanks out because it’s such a deep question. It's nice to see a connection between Mosscap and Dex, where they are comfortable asking each other anything. This shows they want to understand human emotions, and maybe even start feeling them themselves. I am excited to see if Mosscap starts to feel real emotion towards the end,

I found it fascinating that Mosscap is "wild built" instead of factory-made. Chambers doesn't explain what that means, so we can only imagine it. I believe human reproduction is also pretty wild, built too, because it can happen by accident and lead to some wild times. This is a clever way to make humans and robots feel more alike, showing us that we both come from a process that isn't always perfectly planned out.

In Dex and Mosscap’s talk, Dex felt like he wasn't able to represent humanity; he saw himself as only a tea monk compared to put-together scientists. However, Dex is the right choice. By navigating a huge life shift and personal doubt, they embody the messy, changing nature of being human. Their struggle to find purpose is the actual lived experience of most people, making them a true mirror for humanity.

While reading up to page 50, I noticed in the vicinity of page 40 how Chambers describes all the sounds Dex notices, especially the missing crickets. This made me question why Dex is so focused on them. After research, I learned that crickets make noise to attract mates, not just to make noise. I realized, Dex isn’t looking for romance, but for change. To make something new and different, the same life they have had.