Strange Horizons, December 16, 2013
“Significant Figures” by Rachael Acks
Reviewed by Louis West
Rachael Acks’ “Significant Figures” is a story about an AI enhanced waffle iron owned by a combat mathematician, Stephen, an alien in human disguise that fled to Earth to escape the loud, obnoxious constant fighting environment of its slimy, tentacled species. Combat mathematician: A creature that forces reality to do its bidding through complex mathematical expressions. Stephen relishes the relatively peaceful environment on Earth and his daily breakfast of waffle pastries. He just can’t get enough of them. When his species just happens to discover Earth and start blowing everything up, Stephen knew he had to do something. Living versus just surviving was something he’d come to appreciate and, of course, he couldn’t manage without his waffles.
Combat mathematician AND a waffle iron POV. Deliciously quirky. A definite read.