23 Comments

I enjoyed this. For a minute it felt a bit like the beginning of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy! I like where it went. Although we'd have no Substack if this happened!

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Thanks, Mark. I’m glad you enjoyed it. At this point I’m not sure I’d enjoy a world without Substack. That would be like a world without chocolate!

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This was a wonderful read! The alien speaking in Gollum's voice 😂😂 It's interesting to me when I realize that I've never not lived in the digital world, it's something that I don't think I can even comprehend.

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Haha thanks, Claire! This one’s a bit out there. I grew up in the boonies without much of anything, so I compare my early years to the dark ages. 🤣

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Claire, thanks for sharing. I was born before the digital world, and have many precious memories of life before I was tethered to my phone. Maybe you could write some short stories on the theme: "I've never not lived in the digital world, it's something that I don't think I can even comprehend." Might be an interesting writer's exercise. 😊

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Hey, Jenise! That would definitely be an interesting writing exercise. I'll have to let that idea rattle around in the brain space for a bit and see if anything comes up.

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The old is new again. Sometimes I miss the pre-digital age. Other times, not. 🤓

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I’m right there with you! I love technology, but sometimes I think I’d enjoy a world without it.

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We all need a little absurdity right now! I’ve begun to escape into old fiction that was on my mother’s bookshelf, Sidney Sheldon’s “Tell Me Your Dreams” is what I’m currently reading ☺️

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Absolutely. Oh, fun! Once in a blue moon I’ll pick up some old fiction, too. It always makes me feel transported.

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Aug 15, 2022Liked by Justin Deming

I remember this one, Justin! Love the Beatles reference!!

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Thank you, Andrea!

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Sep 10, 2022Liked by Justin Deming

Nice parable. So, the aliens are slaves to digital energy? Are they manmade entities?

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Thanks, Michelle. I was thinking somewhere along those lines, but they aren’t manmade entities. With that said, they certainly could be!

Thanks so much for reading! 😀

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I loved this! Absurdism is a much more powerful and enjoyable alternative to nihilism.

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Thank you, Jason. I completely agree!

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Did the horse talk back?

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If it did, it probably said, “They’re called hobbits, you fool!” 🤣

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It DID bring me a smile, and not a moment too soon! I loved the image of children hiding behind their parents legs, Justin. However, this line: "There was outrage. Pandemonium. Almost anarchy." has to be the understatement of all time! Ha Ha Ha. Imagine younger people being alone in their own heads for the first time ever, cut off from connection !? What would they do with their hands if they couldn't scroll or swipe left? Total panic, derangement, wandering from room to room, walking lost down the middle of the highway. Worse withdrawals than from heroin, would be my guess. Sharron at 🍁Leaves

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Haha, right?! I don’t know if kids today could live without the constant connection. I’m a relatively young teacher, but I still feel eons apart sometimes when it comes to my students’ knowledge of (and presence in) the digital world. Most of them are tech addicts! 😅

Thank you for reading, Sharron!

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Addiction. Mass hypnosis. Thought control. I wonder who "planned" it? Ha Ha Ha. Now THAT would make good fiction!

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Justin, this tale made me smile and even chuckle. I love every word. What a fun way to begin Monday. Thanks for sharing it with us!

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Happy to hear it, Jenise! Thank you so much for reading! 😄

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