Read an extract from Exit Party by Emily St. John Mandel
In the opening to Emily St. John Mandel's new novel Exit Party, the October read for the New Scientist Book Club, we are introduced to Los Angeles in 2031, as a curfew lifts from the city
Hidden Truths · AI Analysis
Mainstream Narrative
New Scientist is promoting a near-future science fiction novel set in Los Angeles under curfew in 2031, positioning it as their book club selection and offering readers a preview excerpt.
Missing Context
This isn't actually a news story—it's literary promotion for a speculative fiction work by Emily St. John Mandel (author of "Station Eleven"). New Scientist, though primarily a science magazine, regularly features science fiction to explore technological and societal trajectories. The "curfew in LA 2031" is a fictional premise, not reporting on actual events or predictions. The framing lacks clarity that this is promotional content for fiction rather than analysis of real emerging trends, which could confuse casual scrollers expecting science journalism.
Bias Analysis
New Scientist maintains a generally centrist, pro-science editorial stance but has increasingly featured climate-focused and dystopian-leaning content. Promoting near-future fiction set in a restricted American city reflects editorial interest in cautionary narratives about societal breakdown, surveillance, or climate crisis. The framing doesn't clarify whether the curfew stems from pandemic, climate disaster, civil unrest, or authoritarian control—common themes in contemporary speculative fiction that reflect current anxieties.
Counter-Narratives
1. **Optimistic futurism advocates** would argue that constantly platforming dystopian fiction normalizes fatalism and distracts from actionable solutions to present challenges. 2. **Literary critics** might note that post-pandemic fiction featuring lockdowns/curfews has become formulaic, potentially exploiting recent trauma rather than offering fresh insight. 3. **Science communicators** could question whether fiction belongs in a science magazine's primary feed without clearer genre labeling.
Alternative Angles (Speculative)
Some media critics speculate that major publications increasingly blend fiction with journalism to condition readers for authoritarian scenarios ("predictive programming"). Fringe observers argue dystopian fiction from mainstream sources serves to normalize surveillance states or climate lockdowns. **These remain speculative interpretations without evidence of coordinated intent**—more likely, publishers simply recognize that anxiety sells and dystopian fiction resonates with contemporary unease.
Fact-Check Flags
What To Read Next
1. **Author interviews** with Emily St. John Mandel about her research process and what trends inform her 2031 setting 2. **Urban planning and civil liberties journals** examining actual proposals for emergency powers in major cities 3. **Comparative reviews** of recent cli-fi and post-pandemic fiction to understand whether this adds new perspectives or follows established patterns