Thanks, Walter! I'll have to read this several more times to catch it. It seems ephemeral. The caged raven in a virtual world. Prison for an unnamed crime and a virtual prison? The reader becomes disoriented, because we don't know where we are, but we do understand that we all may be caged like the raven, but we are not sure where. We do understand that the world described is not free and in fact, may be a series of cages. You've been projecting, I think! After reading this, I may need to step outside of my rural Arizona home for a bit of fresh air. I feel happy to do that.
A terrific story, Walter. I'm looking forward to your discussion with Matt tomorrow.
I think we're closer to this world than most people understand. I realize it may sound trivial, but Microsoft just rebranded 'Microsoft Office' - the suite of office applications most of us have used for decades - 'Microsoft Copilot', after its ChatGPT4-based AI solution. Now when any of us want to create a Word document, Excel spreadsheet, or PowerPoint presentation, or even send an email, we are forced into Microsoft's AI-driven metaverse, whether we like it or not.
Amazing story. I'll never forget how Chinese prisoners were forced to mine virtual gold in World of Warcraft back in in the late-aughts and early 2010s. I wrote a paper about it while at school titled “Et in Azeroth Ego” (Azeroth is the fantasy world of Warcraft, which is styled as a sort of Antoni Gaudi architectural chivalrous dreamscape; medieval roleplaying video game).
hurrah, like the message of 1984,regardless the method of control human nature/spirit will not submit. or per cummings, "there is some shit I will not eat".
"...he lacked a vocabulary for higher things." That slayed me. I work in a high poverty school and I have been talking about this gap for so long. It's nearly impossible for some of our kids to thrive, even with intense therapy and support, simply because they do not have the words to articulate their pain and their needs.
Thanks. I read it out loud to my dog who loved it too.
Thanks, Walter! I'll have to read this several more times to catch it. It seems ephemeral. The caged raven in a virtual world. Prison for an unnamed crime and a virtual prison? The reader becomes disoriented, because we don't know where we are, but we do understand that we all may be caged like the raven, but we are not sure where. We do understand that the world described is not free and in fact, may be a series of cages. You've been projecting, I think! After reading this, I may need to step outside of my rural Arizona home for a bit of fresh air. I feel happy to do that.
A terrific story, Walter. I'm looking forward to your discussion with Matt tomorrow.
I think we're closer to this world than most people understand. I realize it may sound trivial, but Microsoft just rebranded 'Microsoft Office' - the suite of office applications most of us have used for decades - 'Microsoft Copilot', after its ChatGPT4-based AI solution. Now when any of us want to create a Word document, Excel spreadsheet, or PowerPoint presentation, or even send an email, we are forced into Microsoft's AI-driven metaverse, whether we like it or not.
@Don Lueders
Bill Gates' Microsoft can stuff its metaphorical microcephalic micropenis up its own micro coccyx.
Poke Eye a lot
I love this so much. Thank you for writing it.
This is the beginning of a serial novel, right?! Loved it and waiting for the next installment please :) The raven has a role!
Amazing story. I'll never forget how Chinese prisoners were forced to mine virtual gold in World of Warcraft back in in the late-aughts and early 2010s. I wrote a paper about it while at school titled “Et in Azeroth Ego” (Azeroth is the fantasy world of Warcraft, which is styled as a sort of Antoni Gaudi architectural chivalrous dreamscape; medieval roleplaying video game).
Here is an article about this dystopian situation: https://www.forbes.com/sites/insertcoin/2011/06/02/chinese-prisoners-forced-to-farm-world-of-warcraft-gold/
So.
All these years Montana native David Lynch was channeling Walter Kirn.
hurrah, like the message of 1984,regardless the method of control human nature/spirit will not submit. or per cummings, "there is some shit I will not eat".
Loved it! Ready to read the rest of the book. Hint, hint.
Yes, please do a sci fi Walter, would buy, or trade one of my paper cuts for a signed copy.
Bradbury lives!
Loved this story, and how you've taken us a few steps ahead.
The only problem with it is that now I'm going to miss not having a cafe like The Orbiter in real life.
Putting this on my Kindle, as I know I'll be coming back to it.
Ominous and haunting. Great writing, Walter.
I hope this writing persists. Enjoyable
An excellent read.
"...he lacked a vocabulary for higher things." That slayed me. I work in a high poverty school and I have been talking about this gap for so long. It's nearly impossible for some of our kids to thrive, even with intense therapy and support, simply because they do not have the words to articulate their pain and their needs.
Almost felt like walking through the future Palisades, through I pray California does not plunge into that level of dystopian existence.
We're on our way. I just read that Kamala is the current clear frontrunner for our next governor. I thought nobody could be worse than Noosem.