The Emperor's New Reality

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Cadigan, Pat. "The Emperor's New Reality." In New Worlds vol. 64.

Variation on "The Emperor's New Clothes" (1837) by Hans Christian Andersen. In PC's version, the emperor's problem is a desire for ever-more-real Artificial Reality™ for all; two public-spirited citizens introduce him to "completely transparent reality" (21). The suit, helmet, and other technological paraphernalia giving "Authentic Artificial Reality™" don't exist, leaving the emperor in contact with mere, small "r" no "™" reality (33). (RDE, 17/05/01)