Fluence
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Imagine a world where your influence on social media determines your job, your home and your friends. A world without politicians, where the corporations run the country.
Set in a dystopian London, Fluence is a story of aspiration and desperation and of power seen and unseen. Amber is young and ambitious. Martin is burnt out by years of struggling. She cheats to get what she wants while he barely clings on to what he has.
It's the week before the annual Pay Day when strata positions are decided by the algorithms. The social media feed is frenetic with people trying to boost their influence rating, while those above the strata and those who've opted out pursue their own manipulative goals.
To what extremes, and at what cost to their families, will Amber and Martin go to achieve the Fluence they desire?
Stephen Oram
Stephen Oram writes near-future fiction and works with scientists, and technologists to explore possible future outcomes of their research through short stories. He is published in several anthologies and magazines, including The Best of British Science Fiction (2020 and 2022), has two published novels, three collections of sci-fi shorts and has co-edited four anthologies. His work has been praised by publications as diverse as The Morning Star, Linux User & Developer magazine and The Financial Times.
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