Soft Science

Soft Science is a 2019 poetry collection by Franny Choi that emerged from her earlier chapbook Death by Sex Machine. The collection was inspired in part by the 2015 film Ex Machina, though only one poem from that initial series made it into the final work. The book contains a mix of traditional and experimental poems that explore artificial intelligence, cyborgs, and the boundaries of human consciousness. Through various poetic forms and structures, Choi examines the intersection of technology and human experience. The collection draws upon science fiction concepts while grounding them in personal narratives and observations about contemporary life. It incorporates elements of code, scientific language, and reimagined Turing tests. The work presents complex questions about identity, consciousness, and what it means to be human in an increasingly digital world. Through its exploration of technology and language, the collection challenges conventional notions of authenticity and examines the nature of connection in the modern age.

Readers describe Soft Science as an intimate exploration of identity through the lens of artificial intelligence and technology. The poetry collection resonates with readers who connect with its themes of queerness, Asian American identity, and the boundaries between human and machine. What readers liked: - Fresh perspective on AI that feels personal rather than clinical - Effective use of repetition and white space - Incorporation of scientific language in accessible ways - The "Turing Test" poems throughout the collection What readers disliked: - Some found the AI metaphors overused - A few poems described as too experimental/abstract - Occasional difficulty following narrative threads Ratings: Goodreads: 4.28/5 (1,400+ ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (90+ ratings) Notable reader comment: "The way Choi weaves together technology and intimacy makes artificial intelligence feel deeply human" - Goodreads reviewer Multiple readers noted the collection rewards multiple readings to fully grasp its layered meanings.

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🤖 The collection's title "Soft Science" references both computer science's "soft skills" and the vulnerability inherent in human experience. 📚 Several poems in the book are written in the form of "Turing Tests," referring to the famous assessment of machine intelligence developed by Alan Turing. 🎬 The book's central sequence, "The Cyborg Wants to Make Sure She Heard You Right," directly responds to Ava, the AI character from the film Ex Machina. ✍️ Franny Choi composed part of the collection using computer programming language and AI text generators to explore the boundaries between human and machine creativity. 🌏 The author draws from her experiences as a Korean American queer woman to examine how marginalized identities intersect with technological representation and alienation.