In the digital era, technological advancements have reshaped the way people interact and communicate. Joanne McNeil, in her book “Lurking: How a Person Became a User,” delves into the critical history of the internet age from the perspective of the user. She highlights the clash of values between human ambiguity and machine explicitness, emphasizing that humanity is an irreplaceable element that machines cannot replicate. However, with the rapid progress in AI over the past few years, the line between human and machine capabilities is becoming increasingly blurred, especially in the realm of human writing.
Transitioning from non-fiction to fiction, McNeil explores the human impact of technological advancements in her debut novel, “Wrong Way.” The story follows Teresa, a gig worker hired by the tech giant AllOver, as she navigates the challenges of a world driven by machine intelligence. The novel sheds light on how gig work dehumanizes individuals, reducing them to interchangeable components in a vast digital ecosystem. Teresa’s experience reflects the fragmented and precarious nature of gig employment, where the quest for stability and resolution is constantly thwarted by the transient nature of the work.
Set in a near-future world dominated by AllOver, the novel paints a vivid picture of a society where technology permeates every aspect of life. Teresa’s journey as a driver for AllOver’s fleet of semi-autonomous cars, known as CRs, exposes the dehumanizing effects of technological progress. Despite her efforts to adapt to her new role as a “seer” in the CR, Teresa grapples with the loss of agency and identity that comes with being a cog in the machine.
Through Teresa’s introspective recollections of her past jobs and her longing for a coherent narrative in her life, McNeil delves into the existential struggles of individuals caught in the whirlwind of the gig economy. The novel underscores the human desire for meaning and stability in a world where technological advancements have upended traditional notions of work and identity. Teresa’s quest for a sense of purpose and narrative coherence resonates with the broader theme of human resilience in the face of technological disruption.
As “Wrong Way” delves into the complexities of human-machine interactions and the toll of technological progress on individual lives, it prompts readers to reflect on the ethical implications of a world increasingly shaped by AI and automation. McNeil’s novel serves as a poignant reminder of the human cost of technological development and raises important questions about the future of work, identity, and agency in an increasingly digitized world.
