Depictions of Dystopia: The Prox Transmissions and A Brief History of the Future
Two of my favourite pieces of literature are both affiliated with dystopian futures. The Prox Transmissions and A Brief History of the Future, both written by Dustin Bates, depict the potential consequences of the decisions we are making in the present day in the form of a brutal, totalitarian government run by elite corporations.
The Prox Transmissions Graphic Novel, Marvel Comics. 2017
The Prox Transmissions
The first novel, interestingly, isn’t actually set in the future but focuses on the present day. Set in 2013, a secret transmission from the far reaches of the galaxy falls into the hands of SETI radio astronomer Dr. Stephen Browning. His world begins to unravel as he discovers the cryptic message includes information on advanced technology and a dire warning from the future. After Browning seeks aid of brilliant-yet-impetuous playboy Dr. Aston Wise, the two set off on a journey to discover the meaning of the transmission, only to discover they are pawns in a much bigger game. The book was translated into a graphic novel by Marvel 4 years after its initial release.
A Brief History of the Future
The 2nd Novel is much more in tune with the theme of “Dystopia”, set in a future where a totalitarian government monitors its civilians “UNDER THE SPELL OF A COLLECTIVE DIGITAL LOBOTOMY”. The Brain Machine Interface, once hailed the world-changing and glorious access to the augmented world, has become the perfect commercial distraction for the denizens of the New West--the pablum that keep the poverty-ridden masses working for their New East managers. Thomas Bell, a graduate student studying advanced programming, spends his nights subjected to virtual torture for cash to pay for his mother's vital medical treatments and hopes one day to rebuild his family. Because that's what a pragmatic young man does after witnessing his father get snuffed out by his own idealistic, rebellious dreams. To Thomas, brains and pain tolerance are all he needs to make a future for himself and his mum, the only family he has left.
Thomas is initially elated when he's tapped to join an elite, accelerated internship working inside the Architecture--the structure that controls the Brain Machine Interface and enables every person in the New West to access the artificial realities that keep the world turning. It's the opportunity of a lifetime, with the financial rewards to match. But once he's inside, he finds he's dedicated his genius to crafting new layers to a system that is more vast and nefarious than he realised.
