Comments on: Please help me find this depressing sci-fi short story.

Question: Please help me find this depressing sci-fi short story.

robot-hugs — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 08:46:31 -0800

Please help me find this depressing sci-fi short story.

I don't remember where I saw this story, it may have even been through Mefi. I cannot remember the title or author, and google has been of no help.

It involves the following details:

- takes place in a lab testing environment where people are the test subjects
- the people are fitted up to a pack that administers drugs that make them feel certain emotions
- the story revolves around the testing of a drug that simulates true love
- the story involves the use of a drug that makes people feel so depressed and hopeless that they will suicide by any means possible
- the story ends with the main character getting a massive dose of the depressive drug and, I think, killing himself by repeatedly slamming his head against the corner of a desk

I'm going to use this story as a discussion piece for the biochemical basis for emotions. Can anyone help me find it?

By: restless_nomad

restless_nomad — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 08:53:35 -0800

I don't know that one, but if you are interested in a less-depressing (and excellent) exploration of the same concept, Greg Egan's Reasons to be Cheerful is brilliant.

By: neroli

neroli — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 09:04:50 -0800

I know the story you're talking about. It's definitely by George Saunders, and might have been in a recent issue of the New Yorker.

By: nonane

nonane — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 09:09:12 -0800

Escape from Spiderhead, the New Yorker, December 2010

By: lydhre

lydhre — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 09:09:41 -0800

I also remember the story, the test subjects were convicted felons (though the crimes were dubious) and the researchers deliberately terminated some of the subjects instead of others to test the "love" drug and the authenticity of the feelings it produced. And now it's killing me that I don't remember the title.

By: neroli

neroli — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 09:09:50 -0800

Here it is: "Escape from Spiderhead"

By: robot-hugs

robot-hugs — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 09:42:17 -0800

That's it! Thanks everyone, you're my favourite!

By: theora55

theora55 — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 15:15:09 -0800

16 minutes for 2 correct answers. well done.

By: bitterkitten

bitterkitten — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 16:22:12 -0800

yeeeeg that was creeptastic. brr.