A Quick Dive into the Corporate Abyss: My Take on Human Resources
As a lifelong fan of science fiction, I’ve always been drawn to stories that meld the profound with the absurd. Adrian Tchaikovsky, with his mastery of weaving intricate narratives, never fails to grab my attention. His latest offering, Human Resources, is a delightful morsel laden with insight, wit, and a healthy dose of realism. Honestly, how could I resist? A tale set prior to Service Model—one of my recent favorite reads—felt like the perfect accompaniment to my ever-growing collection of futuristic musings.
In this short novella, we’re introduced to Tim Stock, the newly-promoted head of Human Resources at a multinational conglomerate facing a world where human jobs are increasingly at risk. As he navigates the challenging waters of layoffs, Tim’s internal monologue is as compelling as his interactions with the employees he must let go. The poignant moment he shares with a young woman during her dismissal—“I want to speak to someone,” she says, to which he retorts, “You are… speaking to someone”—brilliantly captures the emotional turmoil inherent in corporate structures. It’s a quick exchange, yet it lingers long after the page is turned.
Tchaikovsky’s writing is sharp, concise, and often layered with humor that feels both necessary and deeply humanizing. The pacing, clocking in at about 20 pages, felt just right; it provides ample time for reflection without feeling rushed. Each sentence brims with Tchaikovsky’s characteristic eloquence, as he delves into corporate greed and the increasing reliance on AI—turning the world of HR into a chess game where human pawns are replaced by digital algorithms.
A key theme is the moral quagmire of corporate life, encapsulated in lines like, “the situation would have to be tolerated whether it was tolerable or not.” This sentiment truly resonated with me. Haven’t we all felt that in our jobs, whether we’re facing layoffs, mandatory online trainings, or feeling that cold disconnect from upper management? Tchaikovsky expertly frames these modern dilemmas within a sci-fi context that feels both eerily familiar and strikingly prescient.
His reflections on corporate leaders cashing in their golden handshakes while shedding teams of human beings—“taking their big signing bonuses… just flimflam”—echoed the concerns of many today. It’s these sharp observations that elevate Human Resources from a mere novella to a thought-provoking commentary on the trajectory of corporate culture.
This short work is not just a teaser for Service Model; it stands alone as a compelling exploration of the nature of work and humanity. I found myself both chuckling and cringing, a testament to Tchaikovsky’s ability to balance humor and gravity.
Human Resources is a gem that will resonate with anyone familiar with the corporate grind. It’s a great intro for newcomers eager to dip their toes into Tchaikovsky’s universe, and I’d even recommend it to friends who typically shy away from science fiction. Ultimately, this novella serves as a gentle nudge to reconsider what our future might look like in a workplace dominated by algorithms instead of people.
In a world striving for authenticity and connection, I left this reading experience feeling more aware of the looming shadows of technology in our professional lives. Grab a copy—at the modest price of a coffee, you’ll find yourself enriched for just a brief moment of your day. And who knows? You might just pass it along to someone who needs it!