Comment from Faith Williams

Excellent

An interesting and thought-provoking piece and probably soon to be in this age of AI, if it hasn't already happened. Though I'm not sure things end well for us if we should continue on this path with AI. Thanks for sharing and best wishes in the contest.

 Comment Written 18-Sep-2023

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reply by the author on 19-Sep-2023

Thanks, Faith. You are right about AI.

Comment from John Ciarmello

Excellent

I loved this one, Paul!

I can't believe I'm saying this, but in response to your note, it doesn't seem too far from reality, and the more time that goes by, the more I believe.

What was fiction yesterday is a new reality today. Best, JohnC

 Comment Written 18-Sep-2023

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reply by the author on 18-Sep-2023

Thanks, John. You are right. Some of the science fiction that we were reading a few years ago is now reality.

Comment from Ulla

Excellent

Hi Paul. Well, you never know it might have or it is certainly a possibility in the future. With the A1 technology everything seems to be possible. A bit frightening. Also g as it's prevented from taking us over.
Great entry. Good luck. Ulla:)))

 Comment Written 18-Sep-2023

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reply by the author on 18-Sep-2023

Thanks, Ulla. AI might very well be the downfall of mankind.

Comment from Sandra Stoner-Mitchell

Excellent

Aw, that was sad. The machine was lonely, and didn't want to live anymore. I think this one shows just what loneliness can feel like. If a machine jumps of a cliff, how must humans feel in the same position. Hence, so many suicides. Very well done! :) Sandra xx

 Comment Written 17-Sep-2023

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reply by the author on 17-Sep-2023

Thanks, Sandra. Sad was what I was looking for.

Comment from Sanku

Exceptional

This is a brilliant piece of writing .Using technology ,you have tried to impress upon the reader that having no purpose for living eventually frustrated everyone ...even a machine. Even know i wonder if this true!

 Comment Written 17-Sep-2023

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reply by the author on 17-Sep-2023

Thanks, Santha. It wouldn't surprise me if this has happened.

Comment from Liz O'Neill

Excellent

Personifying the rover makes you account more compelling. I've often thought, I hope they don't in the immediate future, give robots feelings. I yell so much at them on the telephone, they might join the rover. bwaaa

 Comment Written 16-Sep-2023

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reply by the author on 17-Sep-2023

Thanks, Liz. Those phone robots are a pain.

reply by Liz O'Neill on 17-Sep-2023

***sigh***

Comment from Debbie D'Arcy

Excellent

This is always very impressive when you can contain a story like this into such a short prose form. You prepare us for some kind of tragic event and, whilst there was some 'empathy' with the machine, I couldn't help but wonder if there was also a wee bit of humour here, Paul. Forgive me if I'm wrong. But, in any event, a great and enjoyable story. Well done and good luck! Debbie

 Comment Written 16-Sep-2023

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reply by the author on 17-Sep-2023

Thanks, Debbie. I was hoping for a sad tear in the eye.

reply by Debbie D'Arcy on 17-Sep-2023

It was sad but I always think you're going to sneak a little extra element in there. By the way, I love the look of that bench in your profile pic:))

reply by the author on 17-Sep-2023

I've had that bench for awhile. A few years back, I had to replace all the wooden pieces of the seat.

Comment from Spitfire

Excellent

Semi-human is the key word here. A machine could not feel. When the rover loses contact it /he also loses its purpose for being. Hence why exist? A thought-provoking entry.
I do think you could break this up into paragraphs when a change in thought i.e.
When the rover was designed... and Eventually the rover...
Good luck in the contest.

Good luck in the contest.

 Comment Written 16-Sep-2023

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reply by the author on 17-Sep-2023

Thanks, Shari. Your advice about the paragraphs is appreciated.

Comment from Teri7

Excellent

This is a very interesting and very well worded story you have penned for the Flash Fiction contest. You used great descriptive words and very good imagery from your words and art work you chose. Best wishes in the contest. teri

 Comment Written 16-Sep-2023

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reply by the author on 17-Sep-2023

Thanks, teri. Were you sad at the ending?

Comment from estory

Excellent

This post has some similarities to the Autumn Fall post I just read; both deal with suicide, but this is strangely enough a suicide of a machine. But the descriptions are detailed, and there is a dead pan factual quality to the relating of this tale; it reads almost like a technical manual or a news story, and I like how those qualities make the scene of the suicide of this machine more poignant. It also speaks in allagorical terms about the brevity of life and the undermined meaning of it. Lack of purpose robs life of meaning, lack of interaction does the same. The suicide of this robot could stand for the suicide of anyone. Interesting idea here. estory

 Comment Written 16-Sep-2023

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reply by the author on 17-Sep-2023

Thanks, estory. I wonder if this has already happened.