Speed of Dark

Abstract

Speed of Dark follows the life of Lou Arrendale, who is an autistic man working in bioinformatics and specialised in pattern recognition, living in a near future where disease and genetic disorders are almost completely eradicated in new generations. However, Lou belongs to a generation that missed most of the medical and scientific revolution that now benefits the new generations. As such, he is not considered normal, but is nonetheless turned into an active member of society. However, programs which seek to address difference and the remaining medical conditions are put into motion, and Lou is pressured by his boss to undergo a treatment that would supposedly cure his autism. The novel addresses the struggles and considerations of Lou which might influence his choice, and he profoundly reflects on a myriad of questions related to identity and the sense of self, namely: would he still be himself after the treatment? Would he retain the same personality, tastes, and abilities? Would removing his autism mean that he would no longer be extraordinary at his job and other disciplines that interest him, like neuroscience and chemistry? Would the treatment make him less or more human? By the end of the novel, the reader is informed that Lou tries the experimental treatment as a way to learn new things about his own identity and how to cope with sensory inputs, albeit losing his ability to recognise specific patterns as he once used to do.