I think this is the story of an AI, not a human. This is a horrifying future where humanity dies out, never realizing it until the end.
I see the 'Ship of Theseus' argument, but realize that if the boat is dismantled piece by piece and a house is built with the pieces, it is definitely no longer a ship, let alone the same ship. In fact, the change starts with internalization of AI.
I can’t recommend The Gentle Seduction by Marc Steigler enough. It brought me to tears the first time I read it. It’s eerie how prescient it was for its time (published in 1989). If you enjoyed this story, you’ll love Steigler’s The Gentle Seduction: http://www.skyhunter.com/marcs/GentleSeduction.html
Much of human love and friendship is missing from the beginning of this story: the narrator lacks the desire for the other person to be happy. That would draw him out of his self centered-ness. There's no curiosity about the mystery of the other, that becomes deeper when people become closer. There's no effect of pheromones, that do such wonderful things with physical attraction.
Liked it very much until it became clear that it was going to have a “happy ending”. Literature thrives on tension, and that’s what was mssing for me. Fine writing though. I think I’m just far to cynical for utopias.
Perhaps fittingly for a substack titled Asimov Press - and because Asimov has been on the mind lately - one quote in response: '...what art Man, that Thou art mindful of Him?'
A hopeful message that humanity will become more of a part of a whole and less fractionated as time goes on. I like how small each step of the progression is as well, while the final destination is so alien.
Incredible. I saw myself in the protagonist at the start, but I didn’t expect to see myself alongside them by the end.
Absolutely stunning story! So eery and so beautiful at the same time.
Honestly this seems pretty horrific
I think this is the story of an AI, not a human. This is a horrifying future where humanity dies out, never realizing it until the end.
I see the 'Ship of Theseus' argument, but realize that if the boat is dismantled piece by piece and a house is built with the pieces, it is definitely no longer a ship, let alone the same ship. In fact, the change starts with internalization of AI.
love how the way i felt went from very slight repulsion to some emotional understanding
I like hopeful utopias. May they come to pass!
This is scary. But great.
I can’t recommend The Gentle Seduction by Marc Steigler enough. It brought me to tears the first time I read it. It’s eerie how prescient it was for its time (published in 1989). If you enjoyed this story, you’ll love Steigler’s The Gentle Seduction: http://www.skyhunter.com/marcs/GentleSeduction.html
Much of human love and friendship is missing from the beginning of this story: the narrator lacks the desire for the other person to be happy. That would draw him out of his self centered-ness. There's no curiosity about the mystery of the other, that becomes deeper when people become closer. There's no effect of pheromones, that do such wonderful things with physical attraction.
Liked it very much until it became clear that it was going to have a “happy ending”. Literature thrives on tension, and that’s what was mssing for me. Fine writing though. I think I’m just far to cynical for utopias.
Perhaps fittingly for a substack titled Asimov Press - and because Asimov has been on the mind lately - one quote in response: '...what art Man, that Thou art mindful of Him?'
A hopeful message that humanity will become more of a part of a whole and less fractionated as time goes on. I like how small each step of the progression is as well, while the final destination is so alien.
A beautiful story. Thank you for sharing hope with the world.
Wow. Just...wow. This story will take time to process. 🤔