Walkaway summary

The Exploration of Post-Scarcity Society

In Walkaway by Cory Doctorow, we are introduced to a near-future world where the rich have gotten richer and the poor have been left behind. This has led to a society in which a small elite lives in luxury while the majority struggle to survive. The story begins with a group of young people, disillusioned with this reality, deciding to 'walk away' from it all.

They create an alternative society in the abandoned areas left behind by the rich. These walkaways, as they call themselves, use 3D printers and other advanced technologies to create everything they need, effectively achieving a post-scarcity way of life. This society is not without its challenges, but it offers a glimpse of a world where people cooperate and share resources instead of competing for them.

The Rise of the Ultra-Rich

As the walkaways build their new society, the world outside is changing in alarming ways. The ultra-rich, driven by the fear of losing their power and control, are developing technologies that could potentially make them immortal. This leads to a conflict between the walkaways and the ultra-rich, with the latter trying to bring the former back into the fold and the walkaways resisting this control.

Through this conflict, Doctorow explores themes of power, wealth, and control. The ultra-rich, who have everything they could possibly want, are depicted as individuals driven by a fear of losing what they have. In contrast, the walkaways are motivated by a desire for freedom and a different way of living.

The Search for a Better World

Throughout Walkaway, Doctorow presents us with a thought-provoking exploration of what it means to live in a world where scarcity is no longer an issue. The walkaways' society is not utopian; it has its own problems and conflicts. However, it offers a vision of a world where people are not defined by their wealth or possessions.

The novel also delves into the idea of consciousness and what it means to be alive. The ultra-rich' quest for immortality raises questions about the nature of life and the potential consequences of extending it indefinitely. These questions add depth to the narrative and further challenge the reader to consider what kind of future they would want.

The Power of Community and Collaboration

Ultimately, Walkaway is a story about the power of community and collaboration. The walkaways, by rejecting the individualism and consumerism of their old world, create a society based on mutual aid and shared resources. Their way of life is a direct challenge to the ultra-rich' belief in the necessity of competition and the accumulation of wealth.

As the novel comes to a close, we are left with the sense that the walkaways' way of life offers an alternative to the world outside. Their society is not perfect, but it represents a different set of values and priorities. In Walkaway, Cory Doctorow invites us to consider what kind of world we want to live in and what we are willing to do to make it a reality.