这本书围绕着一个中心问题:为什么有些性命比其他的更值钱?我们一直被灌输一个概念:生命是无价的,但明明救一条命、创造一条生命、为一条生命计算保险金,这都是有实际价值的。我们活在一个对数据着迷的世界,我们在任何东西上都可以贴上标价,都可以计算出成本效益,这包括一条生命。对于慈善家、法官、罪犯、医疗服务提供者以及政府来说,这只是工作的一部分。
作者在书中描述了12条生命以及他们被定下的价格。这是一个关于人类的书,不是一个关于数据的书。不论是假装自己死亡的、失去自己爱人的,或者现代奴隶的,作者发现她越去探讨这个问题,找到的是更多的问题而不是答案。我们会透过计算数字来决定谁有资格使用昂贵的救命药,这代表了什么?为什么慈善机构会拨款给某些单位,而不是另外一些单位?有些生命真的比其他生命还要值钱、值得拯救吗?如果我们把情绪移除,会有什么不同结果?
作者问读者,如果我们只使用逻辑、客观的行为去判断这一切,我们能获得什么,又失去什么?这是一个好玩、有趣,又激发思想的书,让我们考虑,生命到底有什么定价?(偷偷告诉你,在英国聘用一名杀手只需要15000英镑)。
关于作者:
Jenny Kleeman is a journalist, documentary-maker and radio presenter.
作者上一本书的好评:
• Thoughtful and diverting . . . Kleeman’s sceptical, humane instincts help her to unpack the possibilities of frontier tech . . . Even if it doesn’t have the answers, this elegantly written and eye-opening book poses the right questions - Ed Cumming, inews.co.uk
• Mesmerising - Daily Mail
• Kleeman’s entertaining survey of the latest advances in life sciences . . . a little like Louis Theroux channelling Margaret Atwood. She is an accomplished storyteller - Johanna Thomas-Corr, New Statesman
• Fascinating . . . an epic exercise in concision – all four of these sprawling chapters could have run to books on their own, and at times I wish they had' - Eleanor Halls, Daily Telegraph
• The real treat is Kleeman’s insatiable curiosity, pushing her to ask the difficult questions, even when conversations take an awkward turn (as they so often do) . . . A moreish page-turner of a book that will leave you feeling informed and ready for the next dinner party. - Press Association
• This eye-opening debut is a compelling investigation into the implications of the cutting-edge technologies that aim to deliver the perfect partner, the perfect gestation, the perfect meat and the perfect death. The sceptical Kleeman makes a witty and tenacious guide - Caroline Sanderson, The Bookseller, Editor's Choice
• An unforgettable journey into the near future by a fabulously gifted writer - Will Storr, author of Selfie and The Science of Storytelling