Social media platforms have been collecting our data, likely since we started using them. Imagine a world where all that data and more can be leveraged to help a person find a community of people that they long in? What would set their communities apart from other organizations and what kind of loyalty would exist in these pockets? The Affinities by Robert Charles Wilson gives us a glimpse. (You probably know the author from the Hugo award winning book, Spin.) Let’s begin with the synopsis:
In our rapidly changing world of social media, everyday people are more and more able to sort themselves into social groups based on finer and finer criteria. In the near future of Robert Charles Wilson’s The Affinities, this process is supercharged by new analytic technologies: genetic, brain-mapping, behavioral. To join one of the twenty-two Affinities is to change one’s life. It’s like family, and more than family. Your fellow members aren’t just like you, and they aren’t just people who are likely to like you. They’re also the people with whom you can best cooperate in all areas of life, creative, interpersonal, even financial.
At loose ends both professional and personal, young Adam Fisk takes the suite of tests to see whether he qualifies for any of the Affinities and finds that he’s a match for one of the largest, the one called Tau. It’s utopian–at first. His problems resolve themselves as he becomes part of a global network of people dedicated to helping one another, to helping him, but as the differing Affinities put their new powers to the test, they begin to rapidly chip away at the power of governments, of global corporations, and of all the institutions of the old world; then, with dreadful inevitability, the different Affinities begin to go to war with one another.
Content Notes: Relationships with multiple partners, allusion to domestic abuse.
Thoughts on The Affinities
The Affinities is a science fiction by Robert Charles Wilson. An advanced analytical technology, leveraging genetic testing, brain mapping and behavioural analysis, has taken the world by storm. Through Interalia, anyone can take a test and find out if they are eligible to become part of one of the twenty-two Affinities. These Affinities are composed of people who are bound to work well together because of their attributes.
In The Affinities, we follow the journey of Adam, why he chooses to apply for the test and the experiences he has a member of one of the largest Affinities in the world, the Tau. He is welcomed into the community of Tau and instantly, he has connections that he can rely on to advance personally and professionally. As time passes and technological advances continue, it becomes possible to produce kits that can do the test, threatening the monopoly that Interalia holds.
As the war between the Affinities ensues, the government gets involved with regulating the Affinities. Adam’s life changes from focusing on his profession to helping Tau as a diplomat.
What I liked about the book
- The story focuses on the effects on society, the division caused by the emergence of Affinities and the exclusiveness of resources and network they offer to their members.
- Adam, as the protagonist, offers an interesting look into Affinities, such as why one would like to be a part of them as well as the constrains on relationships due to this association.
- I truly enjoyed Adam’s struggle of choosing between Tau and his family when they were in trouble. That speaks to where our loyalties lies at the core, even if family has not been the kindest.
What could have been done better
- The characteristics that lead to someone belonging to a particular Affinity are not explained well. Since Adam belongs to the Tau Affinity and their direct competition is the Het Affinity, the other twenty are mostly ignored or mentioned in the form of stereotypes.
- The timeline of the story is vague. Though it encompasses almost a decade of Adam’s life, it is hard to gauge what happened when and how fast technology and politics has been evolving and why.
Overall, I enjoyed this book. There is a niche audience for science fiction that looks at human aspects of rolling out such technologies, and if you like reading such stories, you might enjoy The Affinities.
** The Affinities is now out in stores so get a copy and let me know what you think! Let’s have a book-discussion! **
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Cover image from Unsplash.
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