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Randomize

Book 1 in the series:Forward

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'Randomize' by Andy Weir is a short story set in the near future, focusing on Edwin Rutledge, manager of the Babylon Hotel and Casino, who is introduced as competitive and proud. The plot revolves around a heist planned by a smart couple, Prashant and Sumi Singh, involving a quantum computing-based Keno numbers generator. The story combines elements of quantum mechanics, technology, and human psychology to create a suspenseful narrative set in a fictional Las Vegas casino. Weir's writing style intricately weaves geeky science talk about quantum computing with elements of a basic heist story, exploring how advanced technologies can be misused for personal gains.

Characters:

The characters are portrayed as unmemorable, lacking depth, and driven by their motivations in the heist.

Writing/Prose:

The prose is detailed and explanatory, mixing humor with insightful commentary on science and technology.

Plot/Storyline:

The storyline centers on a heist involving quantum computing, exploring human motivations and the implications of technology.

Setting:

The setting is a futuristic Las Vegas casino, complete with technological advancements and a competitive gambling atmosphere.

Pacing:

The pacing is quick with interruptions from detailed scientific discussions, leading to a rushed conclusion.
Edwin Rutledge looked out his windows to the sprawling Las Vegas Strip beyond. His office atop the Babylon Hotel and Casino was the definition of opulence. Italian leather couches surrounded a tastefu...

Notes:

Andy Weir's story 'Randomize' is part of the Amazon Forward collection.
The book is a super short ebook, around 50 pages long.
It explores themes of quantum computing and its potential misuse.
The storyline revolves around a heist at a Las Vegas casino.
Characters in the story are reportedly hard to care about for some readers.
Weir's writing is known for its humor and sociological insights.
The story blends technology and human psychology for suspense.
Readers appreciated the detailed explanations of complex scientific concepts.
The ending received mixed reviews, some finding it satisfying while others wanted more.
The collection also features works from authors like Blake Crouch and N.K. Jemisin, all available for Amazon Prime members.
Fans of the story expressed a desire for a longer version or adaptations into full novels or films.

From The Publisher:

Audible narration by Janina Gavankar (True Blood)

In the near future, if Vegas games are ingeniously scam-proof, then the heists have to be too, in this imaginative and whip-smart story by the New York Times bestselling author of The Martian.

An IT whiz at the Babylon Casino is enlisted to upgrade security for the game of keno and its random-number generator. The new quantum computer system is foolproof. But someone on the inside is no fool. For once the odds may not favor the house-unless human ingenuity isn't entirely a thing of the past.

Andy Weir's Randomize is part of Forward, a collection of six stories of the near and far future from out-of-this-world authors. Each piece can be read or listened to in a single thought-provoking sitting.

Ratings (13)

Loved It (6)
Liked It (1)
It Was OK (4)
Did Not Like (1)
Hated It (1)

Reader Stats (25):

Read It (13)
Want To Read (8)
Not Interested (4)

1 comment(s)

Loved It
1 month

This is a solid sci-fi heist that relies on an old-fashioned what-if premise: What would happen if quantum computers existed, and how long would it take before someone figured out the criminal applications?

In this case, an enterprising engineer figures out how to defeat the random number generators at a casino and complications ensue. There isn’t a lot of plot to this story, since it’s mostly a thought experiment hung on a little bit of narrative, but the execution is well-done and I enjoyed reading it.

Randomize wasn’t amazing, but it was possibly my favorite from the Forward collection so far.

 
 
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