Great story, Ben, as always! Real & relatable and also hopeful, I think. I always feel connected to your characters & root for them - I love these two, and hope they make it.
Ben! It’s so good to read one of your lengthier stories again. I fell right into this one, the angst balled me all up inside. Your stories always gracefully toe the line between danger and tragedy. A friend recently connected with an old buddy who apparently now uses her ChatGPT as a personal guru, asking it questions constantly about how to navigate the minutiae of her life. It’s scary to hear how humans are falling for the algorithm’s pleasing flattery and cheerleading. I still think it’s a great tool, used wisely, but I just love how you twisted this at the end, AI becoming an alternative tool for marital healing…that is, if one of the parties isn’t muted! 😂
It's as hard to write original sci-fi these days as it is to write political satire! Strange days indeed when friends use ChatGPT as a life coach. It's kind of like dumping a library of self-help books into a blender and making a smoothie from the pulp! Thank you so much for reading and commenting in the thoughtful way you always do. It means so much to have you here.
So clever, Ben, with your signature dose of suspense and thought-provoking what-ifs. This, “and a few just to annoy the living shit out of you,” made me LOL. I always admire how you can balance a painfully real estrangement with humor. It’s quite a magic trick. Of course, the romantic in me appreciates Priscilla’s generous gesture towards him. If you were ever tempted to grow this into a longer piece, I wondered whether she chooses a female voice, then falls for it the way Trevor fell for his companion. But honestly, you pulled off a much better opening into possibly that engages readers’ own imaginations.
Thanks, Julie. I was painfully real estranged for quite a few years, so writing that part comes easy. The humor part is much easier in hindsight. I don't think I had much of a sense of humor when I was in it. Thanks as always for reading and commenting, friend.
There's much to think about in this piece, Ben. The combination of A.I. & the angst of modern life seems to be heading somewhere pretty dark, doesn't it? I like the ray of light you shined at the end for these characters. Maybe it's not too late to swim--to kick against the coming tsunami? Our only hope seems to be a combination of unplugging--preferably outside in nature--and furnishing our own minds like a beautiful house we want to live in, create in, and invite others into sometimes, as well. Thank you for sharing your writing and being honest enough to examine what's happening through story and characters that always seem very alive to me. I'm looking forward to the new novel, Also-- the audio version of this sounded great!
Thank you, Ann. You're right about having some trepidation about where all this is headed. It can feel pretty dark. There is no lonelier feeling in the world than being with someone and not with them and technology has just found a way to amplify this distance. I'm glad you enjoyed the story and I'm glad it sounded good too! I'm very happy with my new little cave set up. :)
Great story, Ben, as always! Real & relatable and also hopeful, I think. I always feel connected to your characters & root for them - I love these two, and hope they make it.
Thank you, Robin. What higher praise could any writer ask for!?
Ben! It’s so good to read one of your lengthier stories again. I fell right into this one, the angst balled me all up inside. Your stories always gracefully toe the line between danger and tragedy. A friend recently connected with an old buddy who apparently now uses her ChatGPT as a personal guru, asking it questions constantly about how to navigate the minutiae of her life. It’s scary to hear how humans are falling for the algorithm’s pleasing flattery and cheerleading. I still think it’s a great tool, used wisely, but I just love how you twisted this at the end, AI becoming an alternative tool for marital healing…that is, if one of the parties isn’t muted! 😂
It's as hard to write original sci-fi these days as it is to write political satire! Strange days indeed when friends use ChatGPT as a life coach. It's kind of like dumping a library of self-help books into a blender and making a smoothie from the pulp! Thank you so much for reading and commenting in the thoughtful way you always do. It means so much to have you here.
Like Robin, I hoped they make it too as I read it in the guest room.
The guest room's got its perks. Thanks for reading, bro. Love you.
So clever, Ben, with your signature dose of suspense and thought-provoking what-ifs. This, “and a few just to annoy the living shit out of you,” made me LOL. I always admire how you can balance a painfully real estrangement with humor. It’s quite a magic trick. Of course, the romantic in me appreciates Priscilla’s generous gesture towards him. If you were ever tempted to grow this into a longer piece, I wondered whether she chooses a female voice, then falls for it the way Trevor fell for his companion. But honestly, you pulled off a much better opening into possibly that engages readers’ own imaginations.
Thanks, Julie. I was painfully real estranged for quite a few years, so writing that part comes easy. The humor part is much easier in hindsight. I don't think I had much of a sense of humor when I was in it. Thanks as always for reading and commenting, friend.
A sweet story within the story. I too, like others, hope they make it.
Thanks for reading, Teyani.
Oh, my heart! Best wishes to Trevor and Pricilla—there is still love there, deep under the avalanche of life, but still strong.
Thank you, Liz. I'm glad this one touched you.
There's much to think about in this piece, Ben. The combination of A.I. & the angst of modern life seems to be heading somewhere pretty dark, doesn't it? I like the ray of light you shined at the end for these characters. Maybe it's not too late to swim--to kick against the coming tsunami? Our only hope seems to be a combination of unplugging--preferably outside in nature--and furnishing our own minds like a beautiful house we want to live in, create in, and invite others into sometimes, as well. Thank you for sharing your writing and being honest enough to examine what's happening through story and characters that always seem very alive to me. I'm looking forward to the new novel, Also-- the audio version of this sounded great!
Thank you, Ann. You're right about having some trepidation about where all this is headed. It can feel pretty dark. There is no lonelier feeling in the world than being with someone and not with them and technology has just found a way to amplify this distance. I'm glad you enjoyed the story and I'm glad it sounded good too! I'm very happy with my new little cave set up. :)