Anxiety Is the Dizziness of Freedom
“Anxiety Is the Dizziness of Freedom” is a science fiction novella by American writer Ted Chiang, initially published in 2019 collection Exhalation: Stories.[1][2] The novella's name quotes a proverb by Danish philosopher Søren Kierkegaard in his work The Concept of Anxiety.[3] An abridged version of the novella was also published under the title "Better Versions of You" in the literary supplement to The New York Times.
| Anxiety Is the Dizziness of Freedom | |
|---|---|
| by Ted Chiang | |
| Language | English |
| Genre(s) | Science fiction |
| Published in | Exhalation: Stories |
| Publication type | Book |
| Publication date | 7 May 2019 |
Plot summary
In the near future, quantum mechanics and computer technology have discovered a parallel reality to humanity, creating divergent timelines and allowing communication between them. The old dream of knowing your own fate and that of the whole world, if you had chosen a different path one day, came true. The ability to alternate timelines forced the society into a severe existential crisis.[4][5]
Awards
| Place | Year and Award | Category |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | 2020 Locus | Best Novella[6] |
| 5 | 2020 Hugo | Best Novella[7] |
| Nomination | 2020 Nebula | Novella[8] |
See also
- Alternate history
- Coherence, a 2013 film about people who must deal with reality-bending events following a comet sighting.
- "The Garden of Forking Paths", a 1941 short story by Argentine writer and poet Jorge Luis Borges.
- Many-worlds interpretation
References
- Crichton, Danny (March 8, 2020). "If we could see alternate realities, would we want to take a look?". TechCrunch. Retrieved 11 May 2021.
- Oates, Joyce Carol (May 6, 2019). "Science Fiction Doesn't Have to Be Dystopian". The New Yorker. Retrieved 11 May 2021.
- Axvig, Matt (11 August 2019). "Quantum Mechanics, Contingency, and Freedom in Ted Chiang's "Anxiety is the Dizziness of Freedom"". Veritas Journal. Retrieved 11 May 2021.
- Lohier, Patrick (October 4, 2019). "Exhalation by Ted Chiang". Harvard Review. Retrieved 11 May 2021.
- Sheehan, Jason (May 10, 2019). "Take A Breath And Dive Into 'Exhalation'". NPR. Retrieved 11 May 2021.
- "2020 Locus Awards Winners". Locus Online. 27 June 2020. Retrieved 11 May 2021.
- "2020 Hugo Awards". The Hugo Awards. 7 April 2020. Retrieved 11 May 2021.
- "sfadb: Nebula Awards 2020". sfadb.com. Retrieved 11 May 2021.
External links
- Anxiety Is the Dizziness of Freedom title listing at the Internet Speculative Fiction Database
- "Anxiety Is the Dizziness of Freedom". Online copy at OneZero