Edgar Scott is an economist-turned-computer scientist. For over 20 years, Edgar served as a Senior Database Administrator and Development Operations Team Manager in financial, crypto-currency, and medical industries, as well as with several start-ups. His experience has taught him that people’s limited beliefs often keep them prisoners in a life they do not want to live. This theme resonates in his forthcoming dystopian novel, “418: I Am a Teapot” which will be out on Kindle on Tuesday March 23, 2021. (Black Château, 2021)

A must-read novel for our times in the spirit of Aldous Huxley and George Orwell, “418: I Am a Teapot” illuminates the downsides of a society featuring the immersive Internet. We are challenged to evaluate new technology, use our human spirt to avoid the negative aspects, and maintain our power to decide our own destiny, while we still have can. This is a near-future dystopian science fiction novel that explores a world where, whether by choice, birth, or punishment, people relinquish the rights to their physical body. Their brains exist in a constantly-connected virtual interface, where they enjoy a fantasy world of endless indulgences. However, while their minds are distracted and entertained, their bodies do the filthy, dangerous, or boring work that the rest of humanity does not want to do. This growing class of workers are cheap, flexible, and replaceable. Collectively referred to as staff, this new, virtually unpaid labor force are stripped of their identities as they become unaware of the reality of their life circumstances.

Life would have gone as planned for our protagonist, known only by his manager as the number 418: work until his body breaks down, retire, take a few opiates and drift off into oblivion. That is, until 418 suffers a supposedly impossible accident in a self-driving car. Through a quirk of bureaucratic fate, the order is given for him to be repaired instead of written off and retired. The extent of his injuries leads to a prolonged rehabilitation and causes the automatic termination of his online accounts. A personal crisis ensues, as his wife and family believe he has died. 418 then embarks on a dangerous quest to uncover his world from the inside out. To resolve their situations, both 418 and his manager must work together to rediscover their humanity as their journey through this dark, unsettling world.

“418: I Am a Teapot” throws a spotlight on the pressing matters of economic inequality, human rights, freedom, and gender identity. It shows how our actions and beliefs not only shape our lives but, more broadly, society. 418’s journey is one of enlightenment and introspection as he struggles with his desire to join a society that oppresses him and manipulates the working class. A rallying cry against the status quo, “418: I Am a Teapot” will make you look afresh at the current world.

“True slavery is passively accepting the roles that have been presented to us by the events and actors in our lives. This book should make one see that our beliefs hold us back, but also feel hopeful that the human spirit can overcome.” – Edgar Scott