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High Tech, Low Life

Most commonly associated with sci-fi and tech-noir, the High Tech, Low Life trope constrasts cutting-edge technology against societal decay or dystopia for a gritty exploration of the future.
What is the High Tech, Low Life Trope?
Related Tropes and Genres
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Cyberpunk
  • Dystopian
  • Post-Apocalyptic
  • Steampunk
  • Virtual Reality
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Top High Tech, Low Life Books

Available on Campfire
Digital Extremities
by Adam Bassett
Published 2024
4.9/5
A collection of eight stories, Digital Extremities shines a spotlight on ordinary people in a callous yet hopeful future. Set across small towns and remote islands, where neon flickers against old buildings and oaks, this collection paints a unique view of a traditionally cyberpunk setting. In 2089, a woman miscarries and seeks a way to find peace amidst overwhelming grief. Years later, a young man must find a way to pay rent outside of his job at the glassblowing studio. A pair of students, excited to go to college, install new hardware that promises to improve their cognitive functions. A private investigator searches for a missing child who has a reputation for embarking on risky adventures. Each tale is shaped by love, loss, and perseverance, weaving a vision of life outside of the megacities. “‘Touching’ and ‘cyberpunk’ might not often intersect, but they do with Digital Extremities. It swings from moving to haunting in an instant, searching for our humanity in an increasingly dim future. Bassett both honours the legacy of the genre while keeping one fixed firmly on new horizons with a collection which spans the world.” —Timothy Hickson of Hello Future Me, author of A Catalogue for the End of Humanity and On Writing and Worldbuilding Vol. I-III. “Digital Extremities is a beautifully written collection that explores the intersection of technology and everyday life. Highlighting the narratives of ordinary people navigating a future where tech has become an inseparable part of physical bodies, these are elegant, poignant stories told with organic heart.” —Suzan Palumbo, author of Countess and Skin Thief: Stories. “Adam Bassett displays a clear talent for world-building and a keen eye for character.” —T.R. Napper, author of Neon Leviathan, 36 Streets, and Aliens: Bishop.
Animus Paradox
by Adam Bassett
Published 2025
4.8/5
There's a thief on the loose. The Tigres excel at tipping the scales in their favor, be it through bribes, politics, or blood. They unofficially run Viterbo, Italy—and somebody stole from them. Private investigators David and Mafalda De Campo have been hired to help find the thief. They're in it for the money, but the Tigres just want to make a statement. Meanwhile, the Heredes have returned: ruthless idealists and revolutionaries. It’s not clear what they’re up to, but they keep getting in the way. The De Campos will need to decide how far they're willing to go for this job and the Tigres. Viterbo may soon become a battlefield, and one wrong move could set it aflame.
Other High Tech, Low Life Books