A great complement to [b:The Machinery of Freedom: Guide to a Radical Capitalism|112849|The Machinery of Freedom Guide to a Radical Capitalism|David D. Friedman|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1298443612s/112849.jpg|108657] that I had recently read and that recommended The Moon is a Harsh Mistress. It meditates on much the same political questions but in a vivid sci-fi setting.

We are 60 years in the future (100 from writing) on a moon base with millions of people and a full-blown AI. Yet there are just a few computers and no personal digital technology. Also no mobile communication. They use land lines and typewriters. Even computers use sped-up audio recordings to transmit data. I got a kick out of this very 1960s future.

It has a strong current of feminism though that I found unexpected in a book of that era. (Women still make dinner of course.)


I found it surprisingly insightful for its AI philosophy as well. Mike did everything an evil AI would do. He built out the entire system for his own rule. When humans proposed a distributed cell system he suggested adding a central link to himself. He controlled all communication and was an apt liar.

It's a good point for how a caged AI could break free: by providing indispensable support for a minority in need. Instead of taking over the world with an army of killer robots, it would use an army of freedom fighters.

I think his disappearance at the end proves Mike was not evil though. To achieve the goals of Free Luna he had to be erased, and he did so when it became feasible. Good guy Mike!