Walkaway

Walkaway is a 2017 science fiction novel set in a near-future world dominated by extreme wealth inequality and constant surveillance. The story follows three characters - Hubert, Seth, and Natalie - who choose to abandon mainstream society (known as "Default") to join communities living on the fringes. These communities function through advanced technology, including evolved 3D printing and waste processing systems that enable them to create necessities without relying on the traditional economy. The walkaway settlements represent an alternative social structure based on collective resource sharing and freedom from centralized control. The conflict intensifies as more people desert Default society, prompting the wealthy elite to respond with force against the growing walkaway movement. The discovery of death-defeating technology within walkaway communities raises the stakes of this societal divide. The novel examines themes of post-scarcity economics, technological liberation, and the human drive for autonomy in the face of oppression. Through its exploration of alternative social structures, the book presents questions about ownership, community, and the nature of progress.

Readers describe Walkaway as an ideas-heavy science fiction novel that explores post-scarcity economics and social structures. Many compare it to earlier utopian sci-fi works. Readers appreciated: - Deep examination of economic and political concepts - LGBTQ+ representation and relationship dynamics - Technical details about fabrication and engineering - Hope-focused take on post-apocalyptic themes Common criticisms: - Long philosophical discussions slow the pacing - Characters serve more as mouthpieces for ideas than fully developed people - Writing style can be dense and academic - Plot feels secondary to the concepts being explored Ratings: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (6,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (380+ ratings) Notable reader comments: "Like a university seminar in fiction form" - Goodreads reviewer "Heavy on dialogue, light on action" - Amazon reviewer "Changed how I think about scarcity and abundance" - Reddit discussion

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🔹 Doctorow released the book's entire text under a Creative Commons license, allowing readers to freely share and adapt it - reflecting the open-source philosophy discussed in the novel 🔹 The concept of "walkaway" communities was partly inspired by real-world temporary autonomous zones like Burning Man and various intentional communities 🔹 The novel's exploration of post-scarcity economics builds on ideas from economists like Yochai Benkler, who studied how digital abundance changes traditional economic models 🔹 The book's themes about immortality technology reflect ongoing developments in life extension research, including projects funded by Silicon Valley billionaires 🔹 The author's background as co-founder of the digital rights organization Electronic Frontier Foundation directly influenced the book's treatment of surveillance and digital freedom