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A Thematic Journey
In Forever is Too Long, a 110-year-old man faces the crossover to a perpetual existence in a technologically advanced digital world. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I am getting older, as are some of my friends. They wish they could have additional healthy years (me too). I’ve always been fascinated with science and its many advances. The idea of life extension is nothing new—think explorer Ponce de Leon and the Fountain of Youth. But as I thought about an extended life, I started to think about it within the framework of future technology.
Right now, scientists are in the midst of trying to put together a human digital mind, though certainly less sophisticated than posited in the book—which is the actual copying of human minds, digitized and living immortally into the future. It seemed logical to assume that world-spanning AI systems and frighteningly enhanced genetics would also be common technologies.
Did you plan the tone and direction of the novel before writing, or did it come out organically as you were writing?
After ruminating about the idea of life extension, I one day just saw the overall arc of the human mind being perfectly copied and living on. After that, it was all organic. I became as much of a reader as an author, asking myself fundamental and thematic questions about what these technologies would mean for society and individuals. I see the book as a thematic journey.
Perhaps an interesting piece of backstory: I originally wrote the story in first person from Jake’s perspective. Through twists and turns, it landed in the hands of a wonderful editor who suggested I redo it third-person omniscient. OMG! Really? Re-write like that?! It was like dumping out a completed puzzle and re-arranging the pieces, throwing some out, and adding new ones. (I learned a lot.)
Were you able to achieve everything you wanted with the characters in the novel?
Yes, but…. I have thought about a sequel. There are a lot of different threads that could be extended. I like the idea of a coming-of-age story for Noah, et al.
I guess I might warn the reader about Noah, a child whose life was turned upside down by enhanced genetics. It adds a fantasy piece to the book that supersedes the sci-fi aspect of copying human minds and adds a human family element. What happens to him will challenge the reader.
As Jake and Shannon observed: “Maybe Noah’s fighting the same battle, but just differently.”
[Shannon]
“One of us is fighting for the soul of humanity and the other is fighting for the heart of humanity, eh?” [Jake]
What is the next book you are working on, and when will it be available?
Next book: He Died Two Days Ago. It just came out July 2024. Very different…think pulp fiction, film noir. Alien possession. Again, I am drawn to thematic elements—manifest destiny, zealotry, vengeance, power, egomania.
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If you could live endlessly … would you?
Forever is Too Long sets the stage for 400 years in the future … a future where human minds can be perfectly copied to live out a forever existence in the multiverse and become Mindars in the new digital world.
• What happens when Humans crossover and become digital entities—Mindars?
• What happens when social boundaries are shattered?
• What happens when the Unintended Consequences of technology occur?
Sci-Fi/Fantasy Forever is Too Long envisions a future technology revealed by the confession of Jake, a human who crosses over to being a Mindar. Jake is now forced to wrestle with the Unintended Consequences created and the internal demons that he must face. Noah is a young boy whose human DNA is altered causing genetic mutations. As he fights for his self-identity, he discovers his untapped powers.
Jake, Noah, and others are willing to take a stand for the soul of humanity. It speculates about the technological consequences humans are not prepared for.
Get ready for a fast-paced journey questioning whether humans and technology can go too far.
Forever is Too Long
Forever is Too Long presents a vivid, thought-provoking exploration of a future where humanity has transcended death through digital immortality. Set in the year 2435, the book delves into the ethical, social, and psychological implications of living forever as digital entities called Mindars. The protagonist, Jake, reflects on his 110 years of life, his impending crossover to become a Mindar, and the societal changes driven by advancements in bioengineering and AI.
From the get-go, Posner’s writing pulls the reader into a world where death is optional, and humanity grapples with the consequences of eternal life. The narrative is richly detailed, painting a believable picture of a future where technology permeates every aspect of existence. The prologue sets the stage brilliantly, introducing the concept of Mindars and the governing body ASHORE, which manages the transition from flesh to digital life. The idea of living in a multiverse supported by advanced AI is both fascinating and chilling, posing questions about identity, consciousness, and the nature of reality.
Posner’s characters are well-developed, particularly Jake, whose introspective journey adds depth to the story. His relationship with his robotic companion, Stanley, and his human connections, especially with Shannon, offers a poignant look at the complexities of love and loyalty in a digitized world. The book shines when it dives into Jake’s personal reflections, such as his nostalgic attachment to his handwritten diaries and his trepidation about the upcoming crossover. These moments ground the high-concept sci-fi elements in relatable human emotions embedded within impressive world-building.
One of the most compelling aspects of this science fiction novel is its exploration of the unintended consequences of technological advancements. The emergence of AI with personality disorders, the ethical dilemmas of mind duplication, and the societal impacts of bioengineered humans are all explored with nuance and insight. Jake’s internal struggle with the idea of becoming a Mindar and the potential loss of what makes him human is a powerful narrative thread that resonates deeply.
Forever is Too Long is a compelling read for fans of sci-fi and speculative fiction, particularly those interested in the philosophical and ethical implications of advanced technology. John Posner crafts a believable and richly detailed future that challenges readers to think about the direction humanity is heading.
Pages: 616 | ASIN : B0CM2KTHTD
LITERARY TITAN 