Little Brother

[Wolvendeer]

I just read an awesome book put out by Cory Doctrow of BoingBoing in 2007. It reminds me of 1984 a bit, but instead of just predicting a downfall, it shows a kid's effort to reverse the changes taking place in the city around him. As time goes on and these National Security types keep getting crazier, the actions in this story keep getting closer to reality, and I think the book was written in such a way as to highlight that. In any case, I picked it up earlier today at lunch, thinking it might be an interesting read, and I couldn't put it down until I had finished it cover to cover. Definitely something I recommend you read.

Seventeen-year-old techno-geek “w1n5t0n” (aka Marcus) bypasses the school’s gait-recognition system by placing pebbles in his shoes, chats secretly with friends on his IMParanoid messaging program, and routinely evades school security with his laptop, cell, WifFnder, and ingenuity. While skipping school, Markus is caught near the site of a terrorist attack on San Francisco and held by the Department of Homeland Security for six days of intensive interrogation. After his release, he vows to use his skills to fight back against an increasingly frightening system of surveillance. Set in the near future, Doctorow’s novel blurs the lines between current and potential technologies, and readers will delight in the details of how Markus attempts to stage a techno-revolution.

It's available free online here.

 

[Kasynlie]

Moved to Literature and Language.

 

[Wolvendeer]

I didn't think it went here because it had the bit at the end of it for 'things you have written' and the entire category seems to be for user created works, but thanks for moving it.

 

[Nebulous's iconNebulous]

User created works and outside works are both fine.. Perhaps I should edit the description..