Comment from Annmuma

Excellent

A most interesting piece! Creative, believable to me, crisp and well written. I had a feeling of empathy for this piece of technology. Good luck in the contest. ann

 Comment Written 16-Sep-2023

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reply by the author on 16-Sep-2023

Thanks, Ann. Where are we going to be in another hundred years?

Comment from Paul Manton

Excellent

Good thing I saw 'flash fiction' before writing this review! I began to think I was reading Robert Heinlein - or maybe Ray Bradbury - so please accept that as a compliment.

Yes, not quite in the class of HAL 9000, but still prone to human foibles, your poor old Rover seems to lack an 'off' switch - just like us! I thought that you wrote it in exactly the right voice - I could hear the announcer on my breakfast news telling me the story. I tried not to smile. Really.

Paul

 Comment Written 16-Sep-2023

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reply by the author on 16-Sep-2023

Thanks, Paul. Ray Bradbury is the best.

reply by Paul Manton on 16-Sep-2023

Welcome, Paul

Comment from Barry Penfold

Excellent

Perhaps more human than ever thought. Everything gets lonely. Interesting story. Good one Paul. All the best in the contest. Let the best story win. Take care and have a great day.
Cheers
Barry

 Comment Written 16-Sep-2023

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reply by the author on 16-Sep-2023

Thanks, Barry. Good luck in the contest.

Comment from Carol Hillebrenner

Excellent

Even the rover, when it has a personality, can get lonely. You did a good job of telling a complete story in very few words. I hope it didn't, in reality, commit suicide, although its usefulness was at an end.

 Comment Written 15-Sep-2023

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reply by the author on 15-Sep-2023

Thanks, Carol. The outcome might have been different if the scientists had included a few games in the computer.

reply by Carol Hillebrenner on 15-Sep-2023

I am sure you are right about that, although even a computer can finally get bored.

Comment from Pam Lonsdale

Excellent

Paul, I have to admit that through most of this, I felt like you were just repeating something you had read in the paper - just facts, one after the other. Then you gave us that ending, which made it a "story". If the Rover has the feelings to commit suicide, you should maybe write this from the Rover's POV, just don't tell us until the end who it is talking. Give it a personality so that we care that it plunged to it's death.

I know it's hard to do in short fiction, but that would be my two cents worth:-)

xo
Pam

 Comment Written 15-Sep-2023

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reply by the author on 15-Sep-2023

Thanks, Pam. Your two cents worth is worth at least a dollar.

reply by Pam Lonsdale on 15-Sep-2023

:-)

Comment from LJbutterfly

Excellent

Even advanced technology can become lonely without use or purpose. This is an interesting and imaginative thought. With the current widespread use of AI, older applications WILL fade away and die. Great story. Best wishes in the contest.

 Comment Written 15-Sep-2023

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reply by the author on 15-Sep-2023

Thanks again, Lorraine. I am afraid of AI.

Comment from K.L. Rockquemore

Excellent

This is good example of a flash story.

In a small space,(pun intended). you were able to hold me from the beginning to the end.

I might try a larger font.

Thanks for sharing.

 Comment Written 15-Sep-2023

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reply by the author on 15-Sep-2023

Thanks, K.L. I'll try to remember the larger font next time. My eyes are getting fuzzy too.

Comment from Cindy Decker 2

Exceptional

Paul,
Your allegory is sad and frightening.
The bot's existence is eerily similar to that of man. I've been on that precipice figuratively, and it is a very lonely place.
Exceptional story, Paul.
Good luck with it!
Cindy

 Comment Written 15-Sep-2023

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reply by the author on 15-Sep-2023

Thanks, Cindy. That precipice is not much fun.

reply by Cindy Decker 2 on 16-Sep-2023

About the precipice, Paul, I?ve learned that it may seem insurmountable, but there is always a safe alternative way down.
Blessings,
Cindy

Comment from Wayne Fowler

Excellent

Very effectively written. Good work.
Your convincing story had me believing it to be true. Only your Author's Note brought me back to earth.
Good luck in the contest.

 Comment Written 15-Sep-2023

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reply by the author on 15-Sep-2023

Thanks, Wayne. I wouldn't be surprised if this has already happened, and the public has not been told.

Comment from Terry Broxson

Excellent

LOL, artificial intelligence or the lack thereof. I don't know if it happened, but it would be ironic. A nice twist to this flash story. I hope you guys are battened down for the hurricane. Terry.

 Comment Written 15-Sep-2023

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reply by the author on 15-Sep-2023

Thanks, Terry. I have spent most of the day getting ready for Lee, the hurricane.