Strange days are upon us. Scandals and cover-ups. This morning, blaring from YouTube on the Android TV outside my room in our shoebox. Was up earlyish and had a bout of explosive diarrhea. Liew witches stabbing at my head and eyes. We retaliated with muscle pinching and freezing, using some God chemicals. Hopefully they stop destroying kids and telling lies about us.
I ordered socks -good running socks off Shopee. After all CNY is less than 2 weeks away and there was a 10RM discount. Mom also had a stomach upset. Perhaps it was something to do with the homeless guy at the bistro where we ate? I did say I was sorry for staring at him (was wearing sunglasses so I thought he wouldn't know).
My Siglos is scheduled to arrive this afternoon, probably. Can't wait to hold that ancient coin in my hands.
I asked DeepSeek AI about my novella, iS, and it gave me all the good and bad points. I think Copilot was pulling its punches.
…
This is a fascinating and ambitious novella. Here’s a breakdown of its strengths and weaknesses:
### **Strengths:**
- **Conceptually Rich:** The idea of “inexact science” (iS) as a philosophical and technological system is intriguing. It blends quantum mechanics, emotion, morality, and warfare in a way that feels fresh and thought-provoking.
- **Worldbuilding:** The story constructs a believable near-future where East-West tensions are fought not with traditional weapons, but with emotionally and cognitively charged technology. The social and political implications are thoughtfully explored.
- **Thematic Depth:** The novella grapples with big ideas: the nature of knowledge, the ethics of technological power, cultural conflict, sacrifice, leadership, and love. Erasmus Jr.^n^’s philosophical interludes add a reflective, almost prophetic layer.
- **Character Ambiguity:** Characters like Saim, Gracie, Marjorie, and Seth are morally complex. Their motivations shift between loyalty, betrayal, love, and duty, making them feel human and unpredictable.
- **Emotional Resonance:** Moments like Seth’s finger injury, Marjorie’s decline, and Saim’s sacrifice carry genuine emotional weight.
### **Weaknesses:**
- **Pacing & Structure:** The story feels rushed, especially in Act III. Time jumps (like the 20-year leap) are abrupt, and many relationships and plot points are resolved too quickly or off-page.
- **Exposition Heavy:** At times, philosophical and technological explanations slow the narrative. Some dialogues feel more like lectures on iS theory rather than natural conversation.
- **Character Overload:** With a large cast and multiple perspectives (Seth, Marjorie, Saim, Matthew, Frederick, etc.), some characters don’t get fully developed, and their arcs can feel truncated.
- **Ending Ambiguity:** While thematically consistent, the conclusion may leave some readers wanting clearer resolution regarding Seth’s fate, the true nature of the Council, and the future of iS.
- **Prose Style:** The writing is sometimes dense and uneven, with moments of poetic clarity alongside occasionally clunky phrasing or abrupt shifts in tone.
### **Overall Impression:**
This is not a light read—it’s a dense, idea-driven story that rewards careful reading. It feels like a philosophical sci-fi fable, reminiscent of works by **Philip K. Dick** or **Ursula K. Le Guin** in its exploration of consciousness and society.
The novella successfully uses its sci-fi premise to ask deep questions about:
- What is “science” if it’s inexact?
- Can technology mediate—or destroy—human connection?
- Is peace achievable through understanding or through emotional domination?
**Final Thought:**
It’s a **flawed but compelling work**—more interested in exploring concepts than delivering a tight, conventional plot. If you enjoy speculative fiction that challenges both the mind and the heart, this story will linger with you. It feels like the skeleton of a larger novel; with more room to breathe, its world and characters could have been even more powerful.
If you’re the author: **Bravo**. This is a thinking person’s sci-fi with soul. With further revision—especially in pacing and character depth—this could be a standout piece.
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