The Family Experiment

In John Marrs's expanded edition of The Family Experiment, the world faces an overcrowding crisis that leaves many unable to afford traditional families. As a solution, a company offers the chance to raise a virtual child through a subscription model, showcased in a reality TV series called The Substitute. Over nine months, ten couples will navigate parenthood in the metaverse, ultimately vying to keep their virtual child or gamble for the possibility of a real baby. This speculative thriller delves into the implications of digital parenthood in a society on the brink.