Kiln People (David Brin)

Kiln People
David Brin
Tor
Fiction, Sci-Fi
**** (Good)

DESCRIPTION: Two generations ago, scientists finally cracked the secret of the Standing Wave, the individual resonant frequency that was once quaintly referred to as the "soul." Now, copying one's soul into clay "dittos" is a mundane part of everyday life. Sure, they only last 24 hours, but that's plenty of time to go to work or indulge other interests... and, if you don't like the day they've had, you don't even have to upload their memories. Guilt-free extra lives, fully recyclable, cheap enough for the masses... and, of course, the criminal element.
Albert Morris, a first-rate copier and a talented investigator, has been pursuing the counterfeit-ditto manufacturer Beta for years. Countless clay Morrises have crossed proverbial swords with Beta's forces, many of whom never came home to inload their findings. After striking another blow to the mysterious man's criminal empire, Morris finds himself entangled in a plot that cuts to the very heart of ditto technology and may bring the modern world as a whole to its knees.

REVIEW: This is why I read sci-fi. Brin takes a fascinating idea - the ability to create copies of oneself, self-aware and identical in thoughts and memories yet inherently considered disposable property - and fully explores the technological, legal, social, and moral implications while still delivering a good story. Brin's future is full of both optimism (a cleaner planet and an end to "realwar," as staged battles between ditto-soldiers settle international disputes) and cynicism (massive unemployment, a new breed of discrimination, and skyrocketing interest in violence and other perverse pleasures, made "safe" and socially acceptable so long as only clay bodies are involved), instead of the clear-cut utopia or dystopia some people prefer.  A nice sense of humor underlies Albert's narration, and the plot moves along nicely with plenty of action. The tale splits into multiple threads as Morris and his clay dittos head out on their own investigations, each learning pieces of information which contribute to the whole puzzle. I clipped it a point because some of the ending felt a little out of the blue, and the climax felt drawn out. Otherwise, an enjoyable and thought-provoking tale that read surprisingly fast.  If this is typical of Brin's efforts, I'll have to read more of his books.