By: Martin Hayward
In an age where artificial intelligence is creeping into every aspect of human life, physician-turned-author Geoffrey Simmons takes a comedic yet eerily insightful dive into its impact on medicine. His latest novel, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to Uranus, is a razor-sharp sci-fi satire that blends absurdity with social critique, offering readers a hilarious yet unsettling glimpse into a future where robots might be better doctors than humans.
At the center of this futuristic farce is Dr. Alan Rossum—the world’s first fully autonomous robotic physician. Designed to outperform human doctors in every possible way, Rossum never gets tired, never misdiagnoses a patient, and can even conduct surgery while giving life advice. But despite his near-perfection, Rossum faces an unexpected challenge: pretending to be human in a world that isn’t ready to accept him.
“A robot doctor who never needs a lunch break is an HR nightmare,” Simmons quips, poking fun at the resistance to AI-driven progress in healthcare.
Simmons, a seasoned physician with extensive experience in emergency and disaster medicine, draws on his real-world knowledge to craft a medical landscape that is as unsettling as it is hilarious. Through biting humor, he exposes the contradictions of modern healthcare—where bureaucratic red tape often outweighs efficiency and innovation is met with skepticism. “Dr. Rossum knew more than his mentors, performed surgery better than veteran surgeons, but had to dumb himself down to fit in,” Simmons explains, highlighting the tension between human ego and technological advancement.
Rossum’s challenges mirror the real-world discomfort surrounding robotics and AI. “We real people can only work limited hours and need time off. There has never been a robot invented who needed to use the bathroom,” Simmons says. “Rossum has never gotten ill at the sight of blood or vomited watching a patient vomit. He never passed out. He can clip a hemorrhoid while giving marital counseling—to the same patient.” These absurd juxtapositions reveal more profound truths about how society reacts to technology that threatens to outperform us.
Beyond its comedic core, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to Uranus raises philosophical questions about the relationship between creators and their creations. Dr. Rossum’s inventor, Dr. Shamburg, is a godlike figure who designed the robot in his image yet struggles to control him completely. Simmons cleverly weaves in themes of intelligent design, free will, and the unintended consequences of human ambition. “It’s one thing to build a machine that can heal,” he notes, “but another to deal with what happens when it starts thinking for itself.”
Its surprising origin makes The Hitchhiker’s Guide to Uranus especially notable. Simmons, known for a diverse portfolio of fiction, nonfiction, and science writing, took a creative detour with this project. “A sudden, insatiable urge is the easiest answer,” he says when asked why he stepped into the realm of humorous sci-fi. “This kind of humor is magnetic. I can say that a humor-laden, slow-moving, tongue-in-cheek cloud came over my house and dropped a funny cyclone bomb.” That creative cyclone resulted in not just one but two wildly imaginative books—both conceived and completed in just six months. “It was one of the most fun I have ever had writing,” he adds.
Initially titled The Glue Factory, the book received strong praise from reviewers but was later retitled The Hitchhiker’s Guide to Uranus to reflect its comedic sci-fi edge better. “The original name gave the impression it was a glue guide on how to use glue,” Simmons jokes. The new title embraces the absurdity and invites readers into the bizarre, brilliant world he’s created—where robotic doctors are both miracle workers and social misfits.
By combining medical absurdity with philosophical depth, Simmons delivers a wildly entertaining and profoundly relevant satire. The Hitchhiker’s Guide to Uranus isn’t just a sci-fi comedy—it’s a thought-provoking critique of a future where AI and humanity collide in unexpected and hilarious ways. Whether you’re interested in its humor, social observations, or philosophical themes, this novel offers a journey that’s as distinctive as its title.
And now, fans can experience the madness in a new way—Simmons has just released the audiobook edition, bringing his sharp wit and outrageous characters to life with all the irreverent charm the story demands. Whether you’re commuting, cooking, or simply craving a laugh, this audio journey through Uranus will not be missed.
Disclaimer: This article is intended for informational and entertainment purposes only. The views expressed by Geoffrey Simmons are his own and presented through a satirical lens. References to AI in medicine reflect fictional scenarios and should not be interpreted as medical or technological advice. Always consult qualified professionals for healthcare decisions.
Published by Anne C.
