tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-155197540326010032.post1578747616497826180..comments2024-03-28T16:06:50.879+00:00Comments on FICTION on the WEB short stories: Programmable Love by Bremer AcostaCharlie Fishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04834189452905372024noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-155197540326010032.post-72539639823856874762023-05-15T08:15:43.865+01:002023-05-15T08:15:43.865+01:00This is an excellent sci-fi story about a future w...This is an excellent sci-fi story about a future when robots have intermingled widely with humans. The same old prejudices arise: fear that the “other” will take our jobs, steal our women, and inveigle their way into the niches that we -- the normal race -- crave to occupy. Blacks, Native Americans, Hispanics, Irishmen, Transgenders and LGBTQ persons have all gone through or are going through the turmoil that the ‘bot MC, Gillen, is passing through. Contains some cutting and poignant plot points and reflections on society, now and in the future. And it makes the point that true love, despite all the obstacles, is really possible. After all, what is a human being but an entity with DNA/gene pooling programming. Excellent story, Bremer. If I may say so, it’s reminiscent of the great Asimov.Bill Topenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-155197540326010032.post-1846349009102708252014-10-26T13:05:55.706+00:002014-10-26T13:05:55.706+00:00I too enjoyed identifying with Gillen's more h...I too enjoyed identifying with Gillen's more human than human feelings, and the piece raises a multitude of potential discussion; for instance can we alter our own genetic codes? I was a trifle disturbed by the story construction, in the form it's awkward POV shifts - from Gillen to Jan, to Maerk, to Kim, and back to Jan without scene shifts or ellipses, phew! I smiled at the sensation of 'lips tasting of copper wire', and buying gifts for people you hate! I loved Kim's jealousy and Maerk's wetness. Oh just a piece of advice for Maerk; if he's getting indigestion from drinking, I think he may well be suffering from a neon and 'blue light-sparking' intolerance, and he should stick to the Methode Traditionale champagne.<br />Brooke Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17142492723192523556noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-155197540326010032.post-42651736276974093662014-10-25T14:11:17.131+01:002014-10-25T14:11:17.131+01:00I very much enjoyed this story. I agree with Ceinw...I very much enjoyed this story. I agree with Ceinwen's comment that this is also an allegorical tale. I felt a pang of sadness for Gillen as the outsider, and I think the story does a great job in showing that even with all of our technological advances, now and in the future, those can't solve basic human issues such as prejudice, the longing to be happy or appear successful and attractive to one's peers, and also the timeless feelings of alienation and loneliness. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-155197540326010032.post-49868913728235088562014-10-24T12:12:51.786+01:002014-10-24T12:12:51.786+01:00stranger in a strange land? xenophobia ? really in...stranger in a strange land? xenophobia ? really interesting , agree with Ceinwen how interesting it is to feel for the neuro-bot. somebody has to break down the barriers.<br /><br />Michael McCarthyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-155197540326010032.post-624452927528350332014-10-24T10:06:13.216+01:002014-10-24T10:06:13.216+01:00I compelling allegory as much as sci-fi. The outs...I compelling allegory as much as sci-fi. The outsider, stigma, false conceptions of 'normality' - so many threads It was an extraordinary feeling to identify emotionally with the neuro-bot than with the humans in the tale. Well done,<br />Ceinwen Haydon Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com