"Chekhov's story is about a woman's lifelong failure to develop any self-reflection or residue of self-knowledge. It's not so much the story of an idiot as of a vampire albeit a hapless one" Lee Upton
This story makes me want to revisit part of the movie AI, which I haven't watched since it came out. There's a part in the middle (I guess?) with Jude Law as Gigolo Joe which is popping into my head now.
You have a new subscriber too! Your posts are sharp and hilarious. I’d write a companion piece to your condo conspiracy club about my nightmare experiences with our neighborhood historical association and the Kafka-esque futility of obtaining a “certificate of appropriateness” if you are not rich and well connected and maybe a lawyer and probably famous, but I’m still too butthurt from the burn to be funny about it
Wow, Amy! Fantastic to have you and I'm thrilled my work resonated!
Also, that historical association situation sounds nightmarish. I was just in a writing workshop last weekend and the POV session lecturer suggested using 2nd-person when you need to create emotional and psychological distance from a traumatic situation.
This story is pitch perfect--poignant, political, warm, sad, and sharp as shattered glass. Not a word or thought astray. It says so much about humans, by saying so much about a bot.
Late to reading this...saw your notes post as an honorable mention in the Lunar Awards.
Loved it.
There's a particular paragraph that hit most:
"Have you ever been switched off? I have. You don’t exist. If you are switched back on, you realize you didn’t exist, and that if no one had switched you on, you would never have known it, you would never have realized you weren’t there, because you weren’t there to realize it."
This is very much what it is like to almost die. Well, except for all the pain and recovery that goes with not dying. I don't recommend the experience, but it is profound. Makes you think a lot about consciousness and "reality."
I also enjoyed the swirling themes of pretending, survival, work, and identity.
Don't we all feel that way, every once in a while? Don't we feel like we only exist when people pay attention to and talk to us? With all the modern conveniences, we seem to have lost the common courtesies that we knew in our youth.
Thank you for the story. It was thought provoking.
Oh wow, this is amazing. I love how time passes, her owner changes, and she notes it so matter-of-factly. I'm sad that she's alone and I would love to know what happens next.
Love this. Such a well poised balance between sad and comic, with a tiny hint of cold menace. Also, a nudge to get around to reading some Chekhov. Thanks for a refreshing read.
The quote from Lee Upton inspired the story. As you can see, I don't agree with it. :)
This story makes me want to revisit part of the movie AI, which I haven't watched since it came out. There's a part in the middle (I guess?) with Jude Law as Gigolo Joe which is popping into my head now.
Are you trying to prompt me to brag about my one-time proximity to Jude Law’s adorable leather-clad bottom? Because it worked. 😁
Damn Amy, this is wicked
Old Tom here's sent me your way twice, and for good reason. Excellent story. You've got yourself a new reader.
You have a new subscriber too! Your posts are sharp and hilarious. I’d write a companion piece to your condo conspiracy club about my nightmare experiences with our neighborhood historical association and the Kafka-esque futility of obtaining a “certificate of appropriateness” if you are not rich and well connected and maybe a lawyer and probably famous, but I’m still too butthurt from the burn to be funny about it
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Wow, Amy! Fantastic to have you and I'm thrilled my work resonated!
Also, that historical association situation sounds nightmarish. I was just in a writing workshop last weekend and the POV session lecturer suggested using 2nd-person when you need to create emotional and psychological distance from a traumatic situation.
If that still fails, I can ghostwrite for you.
Looking forward to digging into your archive!
“Old” Tom? Hmm
The less horrific/self-important version of Ex Machina. Pixar for adults? This is my kind of story.
This story is pitch perfect--poignant, political, warm, sad, and sharp as shattered glass. Not a word or thought astray. It says so much about humans, by saying so much about a bot.
Late to reading this...saw your notes post as an honorable mention in the Lunar Awards.
Loved it.
There's a particular paragraph that hit most:
"Have you ever been switched off? I have. You don’t exist. If you are switched back on, you realize you didn’t exist, and that if no one had switched you on, you would never have known it, you would never have realized you weren’t there, because you weren’t there to realize it."
This is very much what it is like to almost die. Well, except for all the pain and recovery that goes with not dying. I don't recommend the experience, but it is profound. Makes you think a lot about consciousness and "reality."
I also enjoyed the swirling themes of pretending, survival, work, and identity.
Bravo.
Don't we all feel that way, every once in a while? Don't we feel like we only exist when people pay attention to and talk to us? With all the modern conveniences, we seem to have lost the common courtesies that we knew in our youth.
Thank you for the story. It was thought provoking.
Oh wow, this is amazing. I love how time passes, her owner changes, and she notes it so matter-of-factly. I'm sad that she's alone and I would love to know what happens next.
🙏🏼
Love this. Such a well poised balance between sad and comic, with a tiny hint of cold menace. Also, a nudge to get around to reading some Chekhov. Thanks for a refreshing read.
Good writing. Quite fascinating.