Exhalation

Title: Exhalation
Author: Ted Chiang
Published: Eclipse 2, 2008
Genre: Science fiction, short story
Url: http://www.nightshadebooks.com/Downloads/Exhalation - Ted Chiang.html

Rating: 8/10

Thoughts: I've been looking forward to reading this particular story since I've consistently enjoyed all the other stories by Ted Chiang and this one has been nominated for Hugo award this year. While the story was excellent, unique, and thought provoking as most Chiang's stories, it is not my favorite. The basis of this story is a contained world where humanoid robots live, and continue breathing by pumping their re-attachable lungs full of argon every day. They live for a very long time, but don't know too much about themselves until one of them decides to conduct an experiment.

I won't spoil the story, it's absolutely worth reading. There are some clever engineering explanations as well as a more general message on the meaning of life at the end of the story. The reason I didn't like it as much is because I didn't feel very emotionally connected to the narrative. I think the attempt to make such a connection is made, but I just found myself somewhat indifferent and I am not even quite sure why. If you read the story, let me what you think.