| Title | : | Refresh |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | - |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Audible Audio |
| Number of Pages | : | - |
| Publication | : | Published January 7, 2021 |
Welcome to Refresh: with nothing but a pair of computerized contact lenses, the app allows you to immortalize and share your experiences in virtual reality, and to step right into the life of anyone you’d like—for the right price. And in the near-distant future, there is no longer a question of who uses the app, only how: to record and share special occasions, like weddings and vacations? Or to push the envelope towards something more controversial, more shocking, more sinister?
This thought-provoking listen follows a young Black man who, in order to profit from his own marginalization and to make a larger statement, hatches a plan for a confrontation with a police officer that’s sure to capture the attention his profile desperately needs. But when the lines between performance and experience are blurred, is he prepared for the reality of what’s at stake?
Refresh is both a compelling, futuristic tale and a gut-wrenching commentary on our world and the reality of being Black in America.
Refresh Reviews
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That was a short, sharp, shock of a story, with one of my favourite styles of spec-fic: our world (more or less) just skip ahead to the end of a thread that easily attaches to the now. The foundation of the story (an only-fans-like application which records through contact lenses) against the realities of the US? A great set-up. Then the one-two crack of the final moments really drove it home. I'm going to be hunting down more of Lemelle's work.
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Police brutality but the victim lives. This is an interesting take on the unjustified shootings some police embark on and brings awareness to some of the reactions on both sides. Wow 😳
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A futuristic tale based around social media and augmented reality.
Nothing groundbreaking here but entertaining enough to keep you occupied for half an hour. -
In a world where people can gain subscribers, kind of like on YouTube, there solely to witness recorded milestones, people craft their lives and experiences around giving people what they want. Put your life in danger, create toxic habits, give in to extremes of emotion, and you'll see your subscriber count ticking up, along with your bank account. What could go wrong?
This is a pretty compelling short story that I wouldn't mind reading with my high school class. -
What if you could make money by letting others see what you see? What experiences would have the greatest value?
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OMG !!! I really enjoyed this short story. It kept me cativated the entire time !!! A must listen and/or read.
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This is a short story with a quick and dirty ending. (I think most short stories have a quick and dirty ending.) I needed something more. I'm not sure what.
The story: A black man sets up a confrontation with a out of control police officer in order to boost his subscriptions to his own life. With "Refresh" your contact lenses capture everything you do, and people can subscribe to your channel to experience (and re-experience) critical events in your life... such as a wedding, or getting shot by the police. If he can make it happen, he is on his way to getting rich.
I have to cut this review short because I am tired. I'll say this, the idea was a good one for the story, but I really wanted a longer, more developed one.
I might listen to this audiobook again. Maybe a second read will help. -
This was not what I expected. A new tech device that adds images to contact lenses, allowing the user to tune into other people's experiences results in people going to great lengths to get likes in order to make money. Facebook taken to a new level. For people of color, extreme events garner more likes and one young man goes to great lengths to score a big payday. Even his mother is addicted. The tables are turned on him as someone else has the last laugh. Good thing this was free, it was disappointing. I prefer more hopeful visions of the future.
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I think we all love stories which are far enough away from our current lives that they don’t frighten us, but have enough potential to become our current lives that we have this macabre compulsion to keep reading and see what chaos is coming for us. This is that book.
In a world not too far removed from our own, technology has taken the next step and now allows us to interact with our followers on social media, on a sort of only-fans application, by using contact lenses which record everything we do. It’s similar to the concept used in a Black Mirror episode, but applied differently.
The story follows a young black man, considers police brutality and racial abuse in a context which sadly isn’t far removed at all from what we know and challenges what evidence can really do to change the narrative.
I really liked it. I especially liked the audiobook version - the narrator was great. I’ll be looking into this authors work much further. -
I got this work of Science Fiction for free. It’s just a short story – but I sure wish it had been a book. … It’s 40 or 50 years info the future; a time beyond smart phones and Facebook. Mini-COMPUTERS are now able to be placed as lens in the eyes. Subscribers can replay another’s actions/senses/feeling; being part of, virtually, another life. You may now ‘live’ your own life in the lives of others i.e., a ‘fake’ reality. (And we think drugs can take over lives. Wow!) I hope Salim Lemelle writes a book – and the sooner the better.
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I enjoyed the world that the book established and had a great time listening to the audiobook, but the story feels like it ends prematurely. I wondered how the author would successfully wrap it up in so little time, and arguably ... he was unsuccessful. It feels like someone shut off the TV halfway through a Black Mirror episode. A good listen, but the lack of follow-through precludes a higher rating. I wish there were more.
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In this near-future, not only can the public see other people's lives on social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook, they can now actively see through their eyes, live offered moments of their lives. This dystopic future has pushed the online media "likes and followers for social relevance" reality to disturbing, but completely believable heights.
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Kevin Free is one of the best narrators and his portrayal here is amazing.
The book is a bit of a rehash of Ready Player Two idea with a twist on BLM themes being portrayed.
Enjoyable short listen. -
Umm... I think it’s well written and it’s cool concept but I didn’t like it. Police brutality is not something the victim purposely initiates in my opinion. This will give some the wrong idea. I don’t know. I should have given this 5 stars I guess because I’ll never forget this one...
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If you are an Audible user, you need to listen to "Refresh" by Salim Lemelle. Short story. It's sci fi on the surface and asks obvious questions about people profiting from social media, but it's commentary on black deaths by police officers, and the lack of justice, is very moving.
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It was pretty well written and narrated. Though it didn't have much of a conclusion. It's obviously meant to be a futuristic take on racist white cops. I would have liked another half an hour for a more satisfying conclusion. But overall I enjoyed it.
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Very good, very quick short story about the lengths people will go for social media likes/followers and the money that comes with it. Free with audible plus.
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Loved it. The concept was really intriguing.
I wish it was a full book that I can explore more. -
Love this short story! Very original and much like things may be going in our lives if we don’t get off our darn phones. Excellent book. Loved the ending too!
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Quick listen. Interesting idea for a very possible future.
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Reasonably well-executed near future dystopia short story. It’s a Lorie obvious whether it’s going.
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For Black History Month...
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Fully immersive and palpable. The world this author creates feels like it's just around the corner.
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Really good story for under 40minutes. Very topical.
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damn
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قصة قصيرة جدا ، لكنها واقعية جدا
تشرح شلون بعض الناس يتصرفون بطريقة غبية و بدون تفكير بالنتايج فقط لحصد بعض الشهرة على السوشل ميديا