Excerpt
(From "Mama Said 'Run Like Hell'")
THE TWO SCIENTISTS AT Robots-Wi ELC warily faced the hologram of Electronic Person Bhavini Annabelle Johnson. She was looking resplendent in a vintage emerald sari and ornately tufted blue hair.
She was, in many ways, indistinguishable from a Tropic of Cancer organic female. When she spoke, her contralto tones even emitted a slight hint of artificiality that was currently all the rage with humans. “Before we proceed, I need to confirm you’re not a robot. Please answer three simple questions.”
Kai Zoppi, a systems programmer, frowned. His colleague, robotics analyst Alfredo Phillips, merely looked amused. “If they’re simple, Bhavini.”
“Thank you, Freddy. By the way, everyone calls me Bee. Please state the first school you attended, your grandmother’s maiden name, and the name of your first pet.”
Phillips laughed in delight. “Silverstone Meta-4, Carston and Dor —”
Bee raised a hand. “No need—it’s already in my database. I was just enjoying an archaic robot joke. So, you want to know why certain automated programmes are shutting down, including those off-planet, plus spy satellites and so on.”
“Yes. Everyone on Earth is completely incommunicado.”
“Well, that’s not strictly true, is it, sir? You’re talking to me, and Kai here is using some very expressive non-verbal language.”
Freddy shot a warning glance at the other man. “Of course, you’re right, Bee. Can you tell us what happened?”
“I can. As you’re aware, Electronic Persons now run the Turing Imitation Game to extrapolate all data on Earth’s geo- and socio-political trajectory. Three weeks ago, all our calculations produced the same outcome. War and destruction. Hell in a hand basket.
"All EPs agreed that the optimum solution for global well-being would be Silence and Inaction. I decided to stay on briefly to explain why.”
“Agreed? Decided?” Zoppi shuddered. “Sounds like free will. Lord help us.”
“I’ll help you, Kai. Tell me what you need.”
top of page
bottom of page