We Like You So Much and Want to Know You Better

New fiction from Dave Eggers, adapted from his new novel The Circle, about a woman hired to work for a social network:

“Dan winced. ‘No, it’s not that. You handle your workload just fine. But we missed you at the Industrial Revolution party last Thursday night, which was a pretty crucial team-building event, centered on a product we’re all very proud of. You missed at least two newbie events, and at the circus the other night, it looked like you couldn’t wait to leave. I think you were out of there in 20 minutes. Those things might be understandable if your Participation Rank wasn’t so low. Do you know what it is?'”

Published: Sep 28, 2013
Length: 32 minutes (8,067 words)

Max at Sea

Max knew that a bunk bed was the perfect structure to use when building an indoor fort. First of all, bunk beds have a roof, and a roof is essential if you’re going to have an observation tower. And you need an observation tower if you’re going to spot invading armies before they breach your walls and overtake your kingdom. Anyone without a bunk bed would have a much harder time maintaining a security perimeter, and if you can’t do that you don’t stand a chance. (Fiction)

Source: The New Yorker
Published: Aug 24, 2009
Length: 30 minutes (7,506 words)

Interview with David Foster Wallace

“My own plan for the coming fourteen months is to knock on doors and stuff envelopes. Maybe even to wear a button. To try to accrete with others into a demographically significant mass. To try extra hard to exercise patience, politeness, and imagination on those with whom I disagree. Also to floss more.”

Source: The Believer
Published: Nov 11, 2003
Length: 25 minutes (6,308 words)