Show Notes
Theresa moved into her new smarthome with healthy skepticism. Here was a house with everything she could ever need or want—and more—for an affordable price on her nail stylist’s salary. To her, the artificial intelligence inside was little more than a shiny gimmick, but one she’d gladly deal with to give her daughter Niyah a better life. There had to be a catch. Theresa’s misgivings begin to fade with the smarthome’s increasingly thoughtful gestures. But is their new home getting to know Niyah a little too well? Here is Jendayi Brooks-Flemister reading her story “Welcome Home.”
More from Asimov's Science Fiction
During a world-changing first contact event, David is seeking his father’s first edition copy of a sci-fi book about another Earth under alien invasion. Except, it’s not to study up on the little green men within, but to sell for drugs. What is it like to be in the midst of a real-life sci-fi event, with your mind entirely stuck on your next fix? Find out in "Seeking" written and read by Gregory Marlow. Content warnings for addiction, overdose, and IV drug use.
Harlan is a claims investigator in a world of zoomorphic gene editing and memory implants where anyone can become anything—including their true selves. When a job leads him to a club where modified humans called ‘mamms’ run wild, an opportunity for self-discovery presents itself. Behind layers of memory preserving brain-gum, who is Harlan really? And is this job really worth finding out? Find out in Gumchew written and read by Zack Be.
Taz and Rach are new humans living on a colony station run entirely run by intelligent machinery. As an old human warship descends on their colony, it becomes their job to bridge the divide and begin first contact. How to be diplomatic and detect lies and ill intent when the language you speak doesn't translate? Find out "The Language of Machines," read and written by Betsy Aoki.
In “The Greenway,” a mother and her two small children are the last survivors in their small settlement. They wait for the arrival of the caravan that will both collect the last of their dead and bring a new spring. Listen to the latest story written and read by Susan Palwick.
If you could replace your memories with better ones, would you? Consider this as Ray Nayler reads you his story “Catch a Tiger in the Snow.” Here our narrator meets a memory tailor who alters memories for paying customers seeking a past that better suits the person they want to be.