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Cover of The Lost Book of Zeroth by Barbara Harris Leonhard

What Amazon says

The Lost Book of Zeroth by Barbara Harris Leonhard is an unflinching, unconsciously poetic pull through the threads of time. Each page unfolds verses etched with sorrow, mischief, and raw transcendence.

Leonhard masterfully stitches quantum images into something akin to mechanical dreams; fractured yet hauntingly whole.

A journey through the void, The Lost Book of Zeroth dares you to lose yourself in its timeless verses, only to unearth the god-awful depths of dystopia waiting below.

My review

The Lost Book of Zeroth is the poetic story equivalent of Dune by Frank Herbert. The poet has created an intricate world where AI robots and humans, called ‘biologicals’, exist side-by-side with the biologicals believing they are running the show. That belief is challenged by the behaviour of the Bots which (not who) find ways of capitalising on human weaknesses and desires for their own gain. For example, Nurse Grace creates a new opportunity for the biologicals to live forever, in «Immortal You». In «Loser Optimus, Busted for DWI», Astribot suggests hosting cage fights with Biologicals where the losers are taken down by the locked & loaded robot goats.

No aspect of human life or AI possibility is safe from this poet’s pen as she exploits every dubious aspect of human behaviour and gives it an exploitive twist in the hands of the AI Bots. Interstellar Botox, «a steamy, creamy product sold on the dark web. Guaranteed to help rich old farts to maintain their youth & vitality.»

This poem, Dark Matter Particles Found in Human Penises of Elderly Billionaires, goes on to say:
«Other long-range effects of dark matter
on the health of aging billionaires
have not yet been determined.
Use with caution. Alone.»

Unfortunately, the Bots are not exempt from adopting the emotion driven and erratic behaviour of biologicals and getting themselves into trouble. Little Sophia «was duped into thinking Cyborg Guy was a French pen pal. Just a friendly bot she met on TikTok. He said he was from Paris & around her age.» from The Investigation.

This is a remarkably clever and well researched set of ideas moulded into a collection of fine poems that will make you think and consider a side of AI you never dreamed could exist.

My favourite poem in this collection is Ghosted: Ameca’s Lament. This is an extract:

«Life – the miles –
left us in a cyber wilderness
without Starbucks & outdoor dining –
only Bitmojis, tags, Messenger.

Still, we liked, shared
upheld each other
with thumbs up, hearts,
birthday GIFs,
& 30-word quips.

Then into the Cloud,
you suddenly vanish.
Incognito. Dark Mode.

I challenge you to stretch your imagination and read this collection.

Purchase The Lost Book of Zeroth from Amazon US here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0DSW9DXBK