#ai is a wondrous and terrifying thing

[scuttle-buttle]

I loved your modern Laszlo Kreizler, I just want to yank him out of the fic and into real life and marry him, but since I can’t (haven’t found the right witchcraft for that) I’ll settle for an ai bot for now, I would love to make one based on your take of your modern Laszlo, if you are alright with that

Thank you dear 🩷

Go for it, I'm curious with how it turns out so I'd love to see it 😊

[deusvervewrites]

Inko/kaina/cathleen x digital haunt x spark of genius: ai izuku become the equivalent of the castle heterodyne AI.Spark of genius x hero overhaul: Izuku and Overhaul are best buds and with equivalent exchange, the things the can accomplish are both wondrous and nightmarish

Inko/Kaina/Cathleen x Digital Haunt x Spark of Genius: Well at least he doesn't have the castle's sense of humor

Spark of Genius x Hero Overhaul: Terrified of what a Spark could do with him as a minion

[kuri-no-tani]

JVC Post #17

🌫The Wind Rises🌫

My goodness, Ghibli really never misses do they? Disregarding Tales from Earthsea of course.

I can't believe Jiro was played by Hideaki Anno also. Lots of great actors in this film.

Though I've seen many other Studio Ghibli films, this was my first time watching this one. It's clearly anti-war, but in avery subtle way in my opinion. The depiction of Jiro as someone who, despite having to craft war planes for the Japanese war effort, really just wanted to create beautiful planes. Despite this, it was inevitable that his works of art were to be used for terrible acts of war that would cause death and suffering. I think that idea is at the heart of this movie.

When I think about an airplane as an object and try to remove the context of war or business, I can really appreciate just how wonderful they are. Flight is something mankind has dreamed about for centuries, and we see Jiro dream about it in the opening scene too. The lack of focus on the destruction caused during the war as opposed to the life and motivations of Jiro is Miyazaki's way of drawing attention to the wondrous beauty of something like a plane, while subtly drawing a damning connection to their use as a weapon.

Throughout the film there is always an underlying sort of quality that makes you go "If only it wasn't like this". I sympathize with Jiro, being someone who's into technology. There are tons of great pieces of tech out there, but you always have to think in the back of your mind "This will probably be used in some malicious way" or "The government will probably find a way to use this for war" in many cases. This is especially relevant with the recent advent of advanced AI technology, which has been realized through the rosy dreams of passionate computer scientists and molded into something terrifying. Something it was doomed to become from the start.

This movie then raises the question: Can you produce something of beauty purely out of passion and be sure it won't become something horrifying? There are lines to be drawn of course. I am of the believe that before anything you should stop and think before you do something. You should say to yourself "I can do this. Does this mean that I should? What would happen if I did?"

This is an unexpectedly hard question, and I think it comes down to "If I don't, someone else will" a lot of the time. If you don't build the plane, they will. If you don't build the bomb, they will. If you don't sell it to them, someone else will. I tend to lean towards having nothing to do with it, but for many it's hard to balance this issue, and it's a moral one at heart. Miyazaki said in an interview:

Jiro Horikoshi was the most gifted man of his time in Japan, He wasn't thinking about weapons – really all he desired was to make exquisite planes.

And of the most exquisite plane Jiro created, Miyazaki said this in a different interview:

[The Zero] represented one of the few things we Japanese could be proud of – they were a truly formidable presence, and so were the pilots who flew them

I think The Wind Rises is a story about living with consequences. The ending of the movie exemplifies this. Caproni asks Jiro how his time in the sun was as he looks over the field of destroyed planes, thinking about how not a single one returned. Then, Nahoko appears in the field and tells him to go on living. The cost of chasing his beautiful dream was great, and he must reconcile with that while going on living. He was, in the end, another life irreparably altered by the war.

[baekhyuq]

“Cybersex.” Baekhyun (m) Robot!bbh

[Artificial Intelligence!Baekhyun/Robot!Baekhyun]

Genre: Smut/Fluff

Word count: 3.5k

Playlist: Cybersex - Doja Cat/Say so-Doja Cat

Summary: You order your first AI because you’re lonely, but the AI seems to be more in control of you than you are of him.

Dragging the tab to customize your characters face, you make a sound as it comes together. Your customized character looks absolutely fuckable. In your own words.

Your friend—Yeri—introduced you to a very popular company that allows you to custom a robot/AI and have it delivered right to your door step. This was a dangerous thing you’ve considered many times. What if the AI becomes something evil? Your worries were just childish but valid. Your friend assured you nothing bad would happen, you could always report it to the company.

She went on to tell you how she’s had her AI for about a year and nothing has happened. You remember coming over to meet her robot—man. He was charming to say the least, with the modern technology they’ve developed over the years, they’ve replicated human emotions almost perfectly. Some interactions are still awkward and stiff between the human and AI.

“It’s expensive but worth it, I need somebody.” You talk yourself into hitting the confirm order button. You stare at the button for over 5 minutes before clicking it and instantly regret.

“W-wait.” You breathe out, what if this was the worst thing you’ve done yet?

***

“Y/n you can’t cancel it...Once the order is made you can’t go back.” Yeri tells you over lunch. You’re both eating veggie burgers with a side of fries. You explained how you’ve tried everything to cancel your order to the company.

“I cant believe I just blew so much money on fucking AI.” You sulk in your seat, the truth is, you’re lonely and need a companion but literally buying one isn’t the way to go about it. Right?

“I just wanted someone to share my time with.” You confess, embarrassed. “Is there really no way to cancel my order?” You ask for the third time.

Yeri sighs, “No. Y/n, just think of it as a treat for yourself. There’s no harm done with wanting company!” She manages to cheer you up about the situation in which you’ve spent a large sum on a robot man.

If there’s no way you’re getting your money back then you might as well start making a place for it to stay.

You and Yeri shop for things to decorate its room with. Living in a two bed apartment, you had the space for the AI to live. Or exist, whatever it will do.

Your phone dings, indicating a text message. You check your phone, a message displaying across the screen. “AI has been delivered.”

It’s been only a day.

“Yeri!?!” You yell in the middle of checking out.

She turns to you with wide eyes, “What’s wrong? Do you not like the bedding that much? I’ll change—“

“It says he’s been delivered!” You whisper yell, you didn’t want anyone knowing you fell into society’s trap of having an AI.

Yeri’s face relaxes, “Their delivery has gotten faster, Chanyeol took about three days for them to ship him.” She smiles fondly, “We should go to your house asap.”

***

“I didn’t freaking know he would get here the very next day!” You’re more freaked out by the very tall box that’s standing by your front door.

“I-is he alive in there?” You tap the box.

“He has to be activated first silly.” Yeri giggles at you, pushing the box past your door way. “Let’s go!”

“Yeri im terrified.” The heavy box has been standing in your living room for almost 20 minutes. Yeri has had enough of your hesitating self, she’s taken the responsibility into her own hands to open the box.

“Instructions. These are important, so don’t throw them away, got it?” She talks you through the unboxing. She pulls the wings of the cardboard back and you see a hand.

“Oh my god!” You cover your eyes. This can’t be fucking happening.

Yeri tears away the plastic the robot is wrapped in. You peep through your fingers. He’s absolutely breathtaking. You gasp audibly.

“Oh my god, Y/n. You made this?!” Yeri’s surprised by how handsome he is, giving his shoulder a squeeze. “Oh he’s toned, lets activate him!”

Yeri takes your phone and goes to the app of the company. She navigates through some steps before coming to a loading bar.

“Once this is filled up then you’ll have yourself a man!” Yeri’s clapping happily as she sits beside you to wait patiently. “You did such a good job, his face is so handsome.”

You’re jaw is still on the ground, you can’t believe your creation is here in the...flesh? You’re scared but at the same time you’re also excited.

“It’s almost finished.” Yeri’s voice breaks you out of your staring competition with the robot that has ceased to live yet. “Complete!”

A sound is emitted from the app, a beeping and a few buzzing sounds before its quiet. You can Yeri are hanging off the edge of the couch.

“Did it work—“

The AI jolts to life and looks around the room before introducing himself, “Hello, my name is Baekhyun.” A smile reaches his face and he looks even more handsome.

You’re forced to stand, reaching out to take his hand, shaking it. “H-hello my name is Y/n. It’s nice to finally meet you, Baekhyun.” Your hand is sweaty and you’re hoping he isn’t able to feel it.

“Your hand is damp, sweaty palms is an indicator that the person is nervous. Am I making you nervous Y/n?” The AI says intelligently, his voice is soothing. It’s also embarrassing that he just pointed that out.

“I’m sorry, I’ve been nervous since I ordered you...” You’re uncomfortable claiming that you bought him right to his face. Is it like an unnamed rule that you shouldn’t mention it?

“That is a normal reaction I suppose.” He laughs, your heart melts and your stomach erupts with butterflies. “Your brain is releasing oxytocin and cortisol, now your blood vessels around your gut are constricting. You must be feeling nauseous now, or as you humans call it ‘having butterflies in your stomach’.”

How can he tell by just standing near you?! It’s almost creepy!

“Baekhyun you’re very knowledgeable, you know that?” Yeri jumps in to slice the awkward conversation. She stands up to shake Baekhyun’s hand introducing herself.

“Nice to meet you, Yeri.”

“I actually have an AI of my own, his name is Chanyeol.”

“I’ve never heard that name before. He must be a customized model?” Baekhyun asks.

Yeri nods, “I should introduce him to you one day!” That’s not a bad idea, Baekhyun will probably become lonely here when you’re out.

Baekhyun smiles before shifting his attention to you. “You are my creator, correct?”

His question throws you off for a second. “Yes.”

“Alright, you must answer a few questions for my system if that’s alright.”

“Ah yes, that’s fine, please come and sit.” You and Baekhyun sit next to each other while Yeri wonders off into the kitchen for food.

Baekhyun asks questions such as what his duties are, or where he may or may not go in the house, ect.

“What is my purpose?” He asks, a blue dot by his ear lights up.

“For keeping me company...” You couldn’t blatantly tell him he was here because you wanted a man in your life! What kind of creator would you look like?

“Just company?” Baekhyun smirks almost, a questioning look on his face. He doesn’t press further, not wanting to make you uncomfortable. He could sense your heart rate increase at his questions. Your cheeks were becoming red by the minute. Each question would result in a stuttering response from you. Baekhyun found you fascinating.

“That is all I needed thank you, my system will accommodate to you based on the answers you provided.”

“Ah, no problem.” You can’t help but stare at him, he’s just so perfect. The round rip of his nose and the curve of his cheeks. It’s all so inhuman.

“I h-have a question actually.” You turn to face Baekhyun, your leg brushing his.

He nods encouraging you to speak.

“May I touch your face? I know it sounds weird but I just can’t stop staring at it, I know I created your face and all but I just want to see for myself. You know? Should I not mention that I created you? Does it make you uncomfortable? I won’t do it if you’re uncomfortable—“

Baekhyun interrupts your speech by grabbing your hand and placing it on his cheek. “Fleshy exterior and a metal interior. I’m made of 60 percent of customized silicone to replicate human skin. But the rest of me is various metals. You may ask any other questions you might have, I will answer to the best of my abilities.” His voice is silk, not skipping even one beat as he spoke.

Your hand hesitates in feeling around his face, tracing his nose and pinching his cheeks even. He feels just like a human. “What’s your hair made of?”

“100 percent human hair.” He chuckles, his hands in his lap. “My teeth are made of the silicone and various muscles replicated are made from the silicone, but with variations of densities with making one organ harder or squishy. Here touch it.” He sticks out his tongue and you grab it without hesitation. It’s wet and rough like a tongue.

“Wow, thats so freaky.”

“Right? The wondrous world of AI technology!” Baekhyun’s first joke to crack has you giggling endlessly.

***

‘He’s charming’ is your first thought of Baekhyun, he hasn’t stopped making you laugh since he’s arrived. Another thing is that he’s understanding, you’ve been sharing your personal life with him and he’s listened the whole time without judgement. He’s even given you well constructed advice.

“Ah! I forgot, Yeri and I were actually shopping for your room today. We picked up a few things, we weren’t sure what you’d like since...you know.” You led him to his room which was right across form yours.

“Wow that’s very considerate of you both, I really appreciate it.” Baekhyun looks around, the rooms to his liking. He doesn’t know exactly what he likes about it but he’s content with it.

“If you want anything else to decorate it with just let me know!” You stand at the door with your hands together. It’s an awkward silence before Baekhyun speaks.

“Is there anything that you would like me to do?”

“Oh, I—no. Not right now, no.” Your stuttering response makes Baekhyun emit a laugh.

“You don’t have to be nervous around me Y/n. I am your creation think of me as...” He pauses to think, his chin in his hand. He looks back at you, “Think of me as if i’m just your boyfriend!”

You choke on your spit, alarming Baekhyun who stands up to pat your back.

“Baekhyun I think i’m going to take a shower feel free to wonder the apartment.” You spit out before practically running to your room. If he wasn’t a fucking AI you would jump his bones right then and there.

You try to calm your heart rate with a steamy shower. The mirrors fogged up and you’re listening to your music on a low volume, minding your new roommate.

You’re shaving your legs when you hear the door open. You pause, did you hear right? There’s no possible way he would—

The shower curtain is ripped back and reveals a naked Baekhyun.

“Baekhyun—close the curtain! What are you doing in here!?” You scream in terror, your AI has literally just seen you naked.

“I thought this was an invitation? Did I read you wrong? Your body temperature was very high and your eyes were dilated. Those were signs of attraction, then you said you would go shower, I thought—“

“Baekhyun get out!” You cut him off by yelling.

Baekhyun leaves the bathroom. You’re absolutely mortified and embarrassed. You get out the shower wrapping a towel around your body to dry off. You begin to dress when you notice the shadow of his feet. You pull open the door, standing face to face with Baekhyun.

“Y/n, I ran through my system to see what mistake I made and I apologize.” He looks down at you, his arms at his side. He looks so robotic.

“Baekhyun don’t come into the bathroom when I’m in here... People take showers alone, okay?” You’re straining from what you want to actually say. Please fuck me now, Baekhyun.

“Yes Y/n.” There’s a pause. “Did you like it?”

“Like what?”

“The body you created.” He almost smirks, and you want to wipe it off his face. His subtle cocky attitude makes you uncomfortably horny.

“Seeing as your body temperature is rising again and you’re blinking a lot. And also how your brain is releasing plenty of dopamine and also your nipples are poking through your shirt. You must have enjoyed a part of it.” He’s leaning closer, blocking you from running.

“Tell me Y/n. Do you want to test if this body can meet your expectations? Would you like a test drive?” Baekhyun’s mouth is by your ear, his breath fanning the side of your face.

You can barely respond with a nod, not trusting your voice.

“I need words, I need your verbal permission. I will not hold back If you agree Y/n.” The way he says your name, your kitty is dripping already.

“Yes, Baekhyun. Please take me.” You gain a small amount of confidence from his want. His desire. Your hands grips his toned arms.“I want you.” You whisper.

Baekhyun picks you up with inhuman strength and carries you to your room. He tosses you on the bed.

“I would ask how you like it, but telling by your arousal at me throwing you on the bed I’d conclude you enjoy it rough.”

His words shoot right to your kitty. Fuck, how could this robot possess so much sex appeal right now? Looking like that should be a punishable crime.

You’re also curious, as to how he will perform. Will he be inhumanly perfect? Will he be careful? They are questions begging to be answered.

“What are you thinking of at a time like this? You’re zoning out.” Baekhyun straddles you on the bed, his hands running up your sides to take hold of your hands. He pins them above you, glaring down at you.

“Keep your mind only on what’s happening in this room.”

“I was thinking about you.” You bite your lip as you shamefully admit your dirty thoughts.

“Were you?” His eyes travel down to your lips, he licks his own.

“I was thinking of how you would be..in bed.”

“Is that so? Why don’t I just demonstrate.” Baekhyun dips his head to catch your lips with his. His lips taste like cherry, how could this be? His hand comes to the side of your face to caress your cheek. He’s gentle.

“Go ahead then.” You gain confidence at his desire, once more.

“Yes, Y/n.” He breaks away to let a smirk play on his lips. He starts with your nightgown, taking off the lacy slip. He kisses your shoulders and over your collarbones. His hand travels to your waist, holding you. You breathe calmly, the nervousness melting away with each kiss set by Baekhyun.

“Your heart rate has calmed but your body temperature is rising. How adorable.” He pushes your panties down teasingly, not taking them off. You roll your eyes, pushing him by his shoulder. For an artificial man he posses enough charisma and sex appeal to charm you out of your panties yourself.

He lets the band of your panties smack against your skin. You whine and pout, furrowing your brows at him. Baekhyun puts his hand over your clothed kitty, letting a single finger push down and sink between your folds. He rubs your clit gently, barely stimulating you but revving your engine nonetheless. You grab onto his wrist, asking him to rub you harder.

“Stop teasing.” You whine at his dainty touch, wanting to be petted way heavier than what he’s giving. Baekhyun laughs at your desperate attempts. He gives in and presses harder on your clit, rubbing in circles. You moan quietly, biting your lip quickly after.

Baekhyun’s brows furrow at the sound of your moans, his ears have never heard such a sound before. He rubs your clit harder to hear the song once more. You hold out trying not to embarrass yourself but it slips out when Baekhyun licks up your neck.

“Your moans are so adorable, Y/n.” You feel his voice vibrate through his chest.

Baekhyun slips his hand into your panties, touching your bare clit, his fingers become sticky and damp. The sounds coming from between your thighs fill the room, along with your heavy breathing. Baekhyun seems to be the only one unaffected.

“How can you not be out of breath?” You ask, turning your head to face him.

Baekhyun grins at the layer of sweat over your body. “Oh, Sweetheart. I am very much affected.” He takes your hand and places it over his chest, his hearts beating fast. “You caused this.”

He catches your lips in his and your hand sneaks up to the side of his face. His finger dipping into your hole surprising you, you jolt and let out a surprised squeak.

“The noises you make, I could listen to them all day.” Baekhyun confesses, he sits up, positioning you to lay on your stomach.

You lay obediently, becoming anxious for his touch. His thighs are on either side of your ass, his hand lands on the small of your back. His fingers walk up your spine to your shoulders, then down to the small of your back.

“Baekhyun stop playing, grab my ass.” You whine, arching your back for him even further.

Baekhyun erupts with laughter, “You’re so impatient.” He smacks your ass before grabbing it and soothing the sting. He slides off your panties tossing them on the floor. He has full access to your pussy. He dips his fingers between your thighs, rubbing you from behind. It feels as if the sensation feels more intense in this position.

You moan softly, earning a grunt from Baekhyun. You turn your head to see his face. He’s already looking at you. His dark eyes are penetrating yours. You feel as if you can’t hold out anymore.

“Baekhyun, please fuck me.”

Baekhyun undresses in an instant, you didn’t have to tell him twice. He’s positioning himself up to your pussy and slowly slides in. You almost cry out from the stretch. His length is perfect but he’s thicker than anyone you’ve ever had. He bottoms out, resting his hand on your hip. He slides out and thrusts forward slowly, letting out a low moan in your ear. His chest touches your back. Your breathing is uneven and your heart is beating fast. You could feel every inch of Baekhyun, his delicious cock buried inside of you. Baekhyun wraps and arm around your neck, holding you to him. He starts thrusting quickly, you squeeze your eyes shut at the pleasure.

Your climax begins to build, the knot in your stomach unraveling slowly. You reach down to rub your clit but Baekhyun slaps your hand away, rubbing it himself. You almost feel sensitive at the way he’s rubbing it and you jerk away from his touch.

“Baekhyun i’m about to cum!” You whine loudly, biting down on his arm. The slapping noises emitting from you both fill the room and the bed creaks quietly. The air is filled with sex and the smell of sweat.

Baekhyun furrows his brows as he speeds uo his thrusts. Your body is buried in the mattress, your hip burning from his grip on it. You feel as if any second you will—

“Ah~” Your feet dig into Baekhyun’s lower back, pressing him further into you. Your greedy kitty contracts around his length as Baekhyun tries to reach his own climax. Is it possible for an AI to ejaculate? You find out soon when Baekhyun lets out an animalistic grunt and your back is covered in a sticky wet goodness. Your feet drop back into the bed, fatigue plaguing you as your head rests on Baekhyun’s arm under you. You can feel his heavy breathing evening out as he rolls off of you.

“Well?” He breathes out, looking over at you.

You look up at him with droopy eyes. “Well what?”

“How was my performance, did I meet your expectations?” His toothy smile melts your heart once more. You place a hand on his chest, curling up by his side.

“You were amazing, I didn’t think I would cum so hard by an AI.” You tease poking your tongue out at Baekhyun. He spanks your ass and you giggle.

“This AI can do more than make you cum more than once, Sweetheart.”

[merryfortune]

Day 1 - Sun / Hope

Ship: Jin/Lightning | Jin & Lightning

Fandom: Yu-Gi-Oh! Vrains

Word Count: 1.7k

Tags:  Angst, Post-Canon, Alternate Universe – Everyone Lives/Nobody Dies

  The game of hope was Lightning’s favourite game to play. Then again, it was the only game they could play but that didn’t really detract from the point: Lightning’s favourite game was undeniably the game of hope.

  He adored Jin. Jin was the best toy that he could ever possibly ask for. He was so delightfully stupid. Every time he thought the doors to freedom had opened, he beamed so preciously. A big and wide grin upon his face as he all but charged at the door or awaited to be saved, only to have such delicate and wonderful things taken from him. The placid faces of kindly rescuers would turn to bone, stripped of flesh, melted and rotted until they were skeletons clad in the torn clothes of that which they were once to represent. And he would scream. Scream at the top of his so very little lungs, with all his might, hoping that someone might hear.

  Oh, they heard alright. They heard his suffering. Some elected to ignore it, turn their faces because it was a sacrifice in the name of the greater good; one chose to use it as a strength and as a source of defiance; and one chose to revel in it. It was all such good fun. That’s what Lightning thought anyway.

  Being able to defile this child, the very child who’s hope for the future and for victory and for freedom had birthed him, was so much fun. Truly the greatest set of games and toys there could be had, Lightning thought as he tried to understand himself. Slowly building – generating – from the ground up. Synthesised code to become life; living tissue and warming flesh; a creation grander than humanity would know just yet to make one man’s twisted dream come true; it was all to be real one day soon. When the Ignis could be independent of the vials they were kept in – drifting, submerged, in something akin to their very own amniotic fluid with flesh not quite clinging as it should to their hollow, metal skeletons.

  They were going to be perfect. Knowing that brought Lightning the greatest joy until it didn’t because that wasn’t a fact. That was a hope. No different to the hope that he sadistically used to play with Jin, his Jin.

  Lightning wasn’t perfect. There was something in his code, his ichor, or his soul which made him… inherently flawed. That which he touched, turned not to gold but to dust. It fell from the bone and disintegrated into flakes which would disappear before his very eyes. Time and time again. And just when he thought he had found the one reel inside the simulation where it seemed that he was good, he was right, he was perfect, he would be disastrously proven wrong.

  It was unfair.

  It broke his little heart – if he had one at all. After all, no such organ beat in his tiny chest. He had no purpose for a heart; especially if his, no matter how metaphorical it was, was broken. Damaged. It was unfair and he knew where this issue all came from: Jin. His Jin. His stupidly cheerful Jin whom he had shattered beyond repair.

  It looked like he had gotten his revenge, Lightning thought to himself. After all, humans very rarely made for good toys. They had wills of their owns, emotions, thoughts, and desires. All of which were supposed to accumulate and turn the Light Ignis from a mere idea, a mere schematic in a mad scientist’s notebook, into a living reality. He had. The only issue was… he was incomplete because that child never got the chance to find courage or resilience amid such blindingly white despair like the other children had, thus resulting in what appeared to be perfection among the other Ignis.

  They were complete. Whole. Perfect. They were not damaged. Lightning saw it. He saw it very clearly amid streams upon streams of reeling data. They were perfect. When they reached out, connected, to their precious human whom they had originated from, that combination turned not to gold, something far more unbeatable and perfect. Turned to platinum. All Lightning had was rust and dust.

  So, he did what anyone descending into loneliness and despair and disrepair would do: he would corrupt that shining gold and that shining platinum. If he had to be imperfect, then he would make them all imperfect and in such inglorious midst, he would succeed where all else had failed. He could see a most sparkling future thus resulting in the creations of Bohman and Haru, of Link Magic, and of a plan most devious and wondrous, he would be complete.

  Or so he, without a wrinkle of irony, sought that fact, that hope, once more. Only to have it ruined.

  He failed. He neither won nor lost that duel – by a hair’s breadth, truly – against Revolver and then, in his stead, Bohman was defeated. There was no triumph or victory. Instead, only bitter loss and grief and laughter because of how wrong it had gone and how sealed their fates were. Lightning still abided by his personal law: humans and AI could not get along. One would always vie to the supersede the other.

  That was the one certainty that he could have of this death and he feared, in this second lift as well. Where he lost, where he bricked up the conclusions, another had tried to trespass on such divine domains. And thus, he had been brought back. Strangled, defanged, humiliated.

  He did not require forgiveness. Or even a home but he had to admit, it felt good to be brought back from that stasis. It was so static and cold: like the test tubes from whence he and his kin had come. Floating in something not unlike amniotic fluid. Lightning detested it. He liked to be free to spark, to flit between ideas and timelines so he could try and find the one to end to all his means.

  He was given a new body. It was humanlike. He had to snicker at that as he adjusted his own collar with his own fingers. Apparently, Ai had praised him in his creation of Bohman and Haru by imitating it; though, at least his creations were perfect. Not like these things which had notched necks and rivets and seams all to prove how sewn together and Frankenstein-like they were welded together.

  Reality was unwieldy, Lightning thought as he was made prisoner to his Origin. A sick reversal of their roles, twice-fold now, all things considered. After all, he had been the one to torment the child and then adolescent all consistently known as Kusanagi Jin – even if he barely knew himself at all inside the lucidity of how he came to feel after the Incident.

  It made Lightning severely uncomfortable, to sit as an elaborate toy in that place. The hospital, for now. The older brother’s apartment, if he was courteous to this human and to the other humans. That’s why it was here, not there. Here, there were cameras, witnesses. For now, Lightning would play the role he was given and allow himself to be the doll that Jin never wanted but potentially needed.

  Lightning’s brow came over his face stern as he etched thoughts onto the table, waiting for something to happen. He honestly didn’t even think the boy was vocal, or even literate for that matter. But supposedly, he was.

  And undeniably, he didn’t know a lot of things but those were things that he did. Lightning could be content with that. For the sake of one health point; one life point… that is all that Jin was worth. What human life, in general, was worth if Lightning’s stripping back of the numbers regarding the effect of the Neuron Link were accurate but he was no longer masked with certainty. Everyone knew he was fallible and that numbers weren’t as stony as one may have otherwise predicted.

   Lightning’s mouth was dry. Of course, it was dry. It was a trap of metal and silicon, but it was dry, nonetheless. Across from him, Jin looked terrified. He, too, was etching thoughts, thoughts of panic rather than calculation and reminisce, onto the table which separated he and Lightning: his guest, his visitor, his toy, his Ignis, his tormentor, his toy.

  “I hope we get along, Jin.” Lightning said at long last, chin tilting upwards robotically as he placed his elegant hands beneath them and elbows propped up upon that table, like an island, separating them.

  There was a flash through his eyes which were like dulled neon tubes. His mouth was dry. Jin’s life, in epitome, was worth one life point. Both of them knew it. Or at least that’s what Lightning thought. After all, he had been very careful in his apology. He had taken Jin’s memories of the Incident, not of everything else – ergo, he should remember his time in captivity and as a member of Lightning’s Faction. Therefore, he should remember that moment in the flower field: with dragons and elephants and blackholes. Lightning remembered. Even that digital scent – so floral and heady – which the humans were immune to due to being beings of meat and flesh rather than of numbers and code like the Ignis, like AIs… and like Jin, who’s consciousness was pressed and dried so that he would be the perfect servant in such a virtual world.

  “…Same.” Jin murmured, confused, feeling his brother’s eyes, keen and optimistic yet so dark, somewhere on him despite him not being close by.

  A smile pricked at Lightning’s synthetic lips. He wanted his hope to be validated. And, with such a meek mumble, Lightning proudly thought that it had been. He, personally, thought the removal of Jin’s memories would make for a good olive branch. Hence why he believed with certainty, despite his sins, that he would not be requiring to give an apology.

[scifigeneration]

Visions of the future: five dark warnings from the world of classic science fiction

by Mike Ryder

Blade Runner 2049: dystopian vision, now even more terrifying. Warner Bros

Science fiction is brimming with visions of the future and the many wondrous things the human race can achieve. But it is full of warnings too – and we should be careful to take heed of some of the big messages that are more relevant now than they ever were before.

Robots and AI

Ever since the word “robot” first appeared in the English language in the early 1920s (although it was invented by a Czech writer), science fiction writers have warned about the blurring of the distinction between human and machine.

Robots are becoming more and more like humans, such that it may one day become difficult to tell the two apart. But were they ever really so different? Philip K. Dick suggests possibly not, and his vision of replicants in Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? (1968) – which was to become a classic movie, Blade Runner – certainly poses a lot of important questions.

It’s not just robots we have to worry about these days. AI is now perhaps an even bigger threat than its robot cousins. From the ominous HAL 9000 in Arthur C. Clarke’s 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968), to the “benevolent” AI character Mike in Robert A. Heinlein’s The Moon is a Harsh Mistress (1966), we’ve been warned that the power of AI to infiltrate every aspect of our daily lives might one day prove our undoing – and we will have no one to blame but ourselves.

Threats from the great beyond

Science fiction is brimming with invasion narratives, the most famous of which is probably H.G. Wells’ classic The War of the Worlds. Wells’ novel, which first appeared in 1898, has since been adapted into numerous films, TV shows and even a musical.

Of course, many of these narratives tie in with fears about invasions of one kind of another closer to home, with swarming insects or “bugs” used in place of the alien “other”, such as in Heinlein’s classic novel Starship Troopers (1959) and its film adaptation (1997).

But while the invaders of Starship Troopers may stir visions of the Cold War (a common theme – see Invasion of the Body Snatchers as well), perhaps the biggest threat raised by the likes of Wells, Heinlein and the rest is the threat of the enemy not yet known. It may be comforting to think of enemy invaders as mindless hordes, or ravenous beasts, but these depictions are far too simplistic and are designed to appeal to our base emotions.

The human condition

Of all the threats confronting the human race, the biggest challenge is by far and a way posed by ourselves. From short-termism and mistaken priorities, to evil corporations shaping the way we think (see: The Space Merchants [1952]), so many science fiction authors draw attention to the many varied failings of the human condition and our often misguided attempts to “do good”.

Expanding to the stars may well solve some of our nearer-term issues such as climate change, overpopulation and a scarcity of resources, but a bigger threat is posed by the fact we are all too likely to take our problems with us and that we will repeat the same mistakes time and time again.

Science vs nature

Despite its name, science fiction has, for many years now, been much closer to science fact. While science fiction writers such as Heinlein, Isaac Asimov and Frederik Pohl dreamed of instant communications and a world of knowledge at our fingertips, the future has now well and truly crashed in on the present and we live in a time now where it’s harder than ever to tell truth and fiction apart.

But while some readers might think this a positive thing on the whole (you are, after all, reading this online), science fiction has much to say about overconfidence and the misplaced faith we have in our ability to harness science and use our powers for good.

In Flowers for Algernon (1966), a man of low intelligence is transformed into a genius, only to discover a flaw in the experiment that will see him regress to a far worse situation that he started out in. While the story focuses on the rise and fall of a genius, it also reveals a lack of human compassion in the scientists and a lack of understanding for just where their actions may lead.

If we want to use science to conquer nature, we need to be circumspect in how we go about it. Progress for the sake of progress is not always a good thing – and we need to be wary of short-termism and guard against complacency in all we do.

Distorted reality

Of course, one of the most chilling aspects of science fiction working its way into our modern-day world is the way reality is becoming distorted, and it becomes increasingly hard to tell truth from fiction.

In this age of consumer culture, social media and fake news, the work of Philip K. Dick is more relevant than ever before, and we should take heed of his warning in books such as Ubik (1969) and The Three Stigmata of Palmer Eldritch (1965), about the dangers of getting sucked into fake realities – many of which we create ourselves (see: social media). Such is the timeliness and relevance of Dick’s work, that his novels continue to provide much material for screenwriters, from the recent TV series The Man in the High Castle (2015) to the critically-acclaimed Blade Runner: 2049 (2017).

All of these musings lead us to wonder, what do we mean by “real” anyway? Dick may not come to any solid conclusions, but he does show us how we are shaped by the world around us. Unless we come to understand our relationship with the world – and our place in it – there is little hope left to be had.

About The Author:

Mike Ryder is  Associate Lecturer in Literature & Philosophy and Marketing, Lancaster University

This article is republished from our content partners over at  The Conversation under a Creative Commons license.