More Human Than Human: Stories of Androids, Robots, and Manufactured Humanity
Edited by Neil Clarke.
The idea of creating an artificial human is an old one. One of the earliest science-fictional novels, Frankenstein, concerned itself primarily with the hubris of creation, and one's relationship to one's creator. Later versions of this "artificial human" story (and indeed later adaptations of Frankenstein) changed the focus to more modernist questions... What is the nature of humanity? What does it mean to be human?
These stories continued through the golden age of science fiction with Isaac Asimov's I Robot story cycle, and then through post-modern iterations from new wave writers like Philip K. Dick. Today, this compelling science fiction trope persists in mass media narratives like Westworld and Ridley Scott's Blade Runner, as well as twenty-first century science fiction novels like Charles Stross's Saturn's Children and Paolo Bacigalupi's The Windup Girl.
The short stories in More Human than Human demonstrate the depth and breadth of artificial humanity in contemporary science fiction. Issues of passing... of what it is to be human... of autonomy and slavery and oppression, and yes, the hubris of creation; these ideas have fascinated us for at least two hundred years, and this selection of stories demonstrates why it is such an alluring and recurring conceit.
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Neil Clarke
Neil Clarke is an influential name in the world of speculative fiction, known for his sharp editorial eye and his unwavering commitment to bringing groundbreaking science fiction and fantasy stories to readers around the globe. As the editor of Clarkesworld Magazine, Clarke has played a pivotal role in shaping the modern landscape of genre literature, curating narratives that push boundaries while remaining deeply human. His work has earned him numerous accolades, including the Hugo and World Fantasy Awards, solidifying his place as one of the most respected editors in the field.
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