Write about a technophobe who’s been given a device to solve a problem they’ve struggled with for years, but isn't sure how they feel about it.

Posted in Character on Oct 26, 2022

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✍️ 95 stories

“KNOB” by Cole Lane

Submitted to Contest #82

The quaint brick cottage on Evergreen Lane sits in the morning sun overlooking a vibrant garden of hollyhocks and foxglove. Larry Baker kneels along the path, pulling weeds, depositing them into a bucket, careful not to get his overalls dirty. "I've let this go too long," he mutters. He stands and rubs his sore back for a moment, then collects his tools and cut flowers, carrying them up the porch stairs to the front door. Inside the cottage, floral patterns adorn the walls in faded yellow and orange, a gallery of photos hang here an...

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“TECHNOLOGY!” by WINATA YANTONO WIDARTO HS STUDENT

Submitted to Contest #82

"TECHNOLOGY!," he said. Gauhg! I immediately choke on my asparagus. Who's there? I call out into the pitch black night. If there's a thief waiting outside in the yard, Let there be something in the sight! "Blarguhruh!" gargled something in the mist. It's technology. Technology that keeps me wake at night. Technology that doesn't seem to know what's even right. Technology... Technology (3x, echoing). What is technology? Well, I'll tell ya. It's your mind. Your neighbor. Your pine... tree. Because everything is technology, I must...

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“5G” by Philip Ebuluofor

Submitted to Contest #82

His education stopped at standard three as colonial masters called it then in forties; it is equivalent of primary three now. He was in his late teens when in that level. Observing his actions in late fifties, i noticed that, in all the subjects that were taught then that were not calculation related, he was practically stupid but maths related ones, he was good. He was smarter than most of his colleagues without actually knowing the science behind what he does. He was chief Jacobs Ani, of medium size both in height and weight. He recogniz...

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“Easy Eyes” by Keston Paul

Submitted to Contest #82

A man who has lost his sight misses the world more than a man who has never experienced it; at least that’s what Jafari says. Wesley was Jafari’s nephew and for the past 3 years, his caretaker—albeit, Jafari preferred him to identify as the former.Jafari was sitting in the patio, staring out towards the beach he couldn’t see.Wesley recalled their conversation years ago when he started as caretaker.“You know how I lost my eyes?” Jafari asked.“It was an accident when you were coaching football, wasn’t it?” Wesley noted the scars around Jafari’...

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“Where is the Damn On Button” by Hannah Matiel

Submitted to Contest #82

This dumb piece of shit,' he thought to himself staring at the device that laid on his desk collecting dust. He had been searching for half his life for this machine but right at the height of this escapade he couldn't find the damn on button. This on button was the only thing between him and human peace. The device was small and looked easy enough. Well maybe if you had a look at it you would be able to figure it out right away, right? Wrong. The device looked simple, but even this well respected and well known scientist couldn't rack hi...

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“The Old and the New” by Bonnie Clarkson

Submitted to Contest #82

Sharon invited her grandson Kyle and his son, Jayden, into the house. Jayden immediately sat on the couch and started playing his favorite video game. “I brought Jayden for your visitation time. Are you sure you can get along with him? He is easily bored.” “I’ve raised boys. I should know.” The great-grandmother looked fondly at Jayden. “He was a cute baby, and he is cute now.” &n...

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“The Automatic Writer” by Victoria Lucas

Submitted to Contest #82

Things were a lot easier before they started slapping a personality on every fancy doodad and thingamajig with a circuit board. When SmartTalk appliances were first introduced to the public they were marketed as “a fun and innovative way to liven up the home”. I don’t know about fun, but they definitely have a way of keeping you on your toes. My vacuum cleaner has the most judgmental attitude that has ever graced the planet and the other day my toaster experienced what can only be described as an existential break down. It locked itself in t...

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“Dealing with Change ” by Regina Morrison

Submitted to Contest #82

“I go away on holiday for 2-weeks!!!! And…” Garry spluttered at a loss for words. “Dad… You’re being dramatic,” his daughter sighed. “I think this is a rather good time to be dramatic!” Garry shouted excitedly, rocking furiously on his heels. “I don’t want IT; I don’t need IT; you need to take IT out!” “I can’t just take it out Dad, you know that! And as for not needing IT! Look at this house,” she said waving her arms to emphasize the jumble that was the living room. “ For a matter of fact look at you!” Garry...

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“The RGH Compromise” by Nancy Gwillym

Submitted to Contest #82

Walter gave himself a few extra minutes to enjoy the purring coming from his orange tabby, comfortably curled in the crook of his arm. As he stroked her chin, he enjoyed the feel of her soft fur between the fingers of his calloused hands. He had nothing special planned for the day and it wasn't essential to get up right away, he could spend some time being lazy, much like his cat. Eventually, however, the smell of coffee beans being ground up in the fancy machine in his kitchen forced him out of bed.He did his first set of 15 pull-ups for th...

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“The Dream Door” by Aburrow Marsh

Submitted to Contest #82

The biggest problem John struggled with wasn’t loneliness or broken-heartedness, occasional joblessness, chronic constipation or lifelong childlessness, but the inability to adequately describe his dreams.He always felt there might be a great drama -- or at least a good film script -- in his dreams, if only he could capture the damned things.His dreams were wacky, off-kilter, grotesque, spritely, erotic, ironical, visual, intensely wordy, overly-masturbatory and comical. They rocked him, crushed him, suffocated him, blasted him, shot him, an...

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“Hermie” by Chris D

Submitted to Contest #82

What if a problem isn't a problem after all? What if the perspective is the problem, and the not-problem is actually a blessing in disguise? She looks back at her dashboard. "Turn left." Her daughter has programmed the mystery woman to have a British accent, so she's named her Hermione, after some wizard girl, because she swears that this box of a woman is magical and is going to change her life. "Thank you, Hermie." "Mom, she isn't real. She can't hear you." Her daughter takes a long sip of her Slurpee. It's 90 degrees out, and she's ...

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“The Homesteader’s Pet” by Isla Wren

Submitted to Contest #82

I hesitate, dangling the robotic vacuum over the gaping mouth of my thirteen gallon garbage bin. As a homesteader and self professed crunchy mom, I detest the wastefulness of discarding an entire small appliance, yet that’s not it. I’ve already removed the lithium battery for recycling. The motor, which smells faintly of burnt hair, is beyond repair. Bits of gummy raisins have fossilized in the treads. It’s so old the company stopped manufacturing replacement parts ages ago; I checked. So why ...

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“Nobody Said That It Would Last Forever” by Kate Strong

Submitted to Contest #82

She smiled over at the sunflowers brightening the darkness of the room, reaching out a cold hand to feel the warmth of the sunlight on the petals. The slatted plastic blinds let in little sunlight, most likely because of the fact that Dr. Kierland had sternly told her on more than one occasion that she should be asleep for sixty-five percent of the day if she had any intention of getting better. “Who are these from?” Sadie glanced over at Uncle Liam who was slumped over in the chair with his face buried in the crook of one of his arms. Win...

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“The Unicorn and The Gramophone” by Matthew Langford

Submitted to Contest #82

The Unicorn and the Gramophone The implant worked perfectly. Sounds could be controlled by thought and reached every corner of his brain without disturbing anyone. Not only could song choice be personalised but the volume, bass, treble and speed could be adjusted. Robert sat in his armchair for hours at a time with a contented smile on his face and pondered the prospect of no more arguments with his girlfriend Emma as they could both listen to what they wanted. The drone of car engines could be blocked out during the drive to work and he...

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“Our Final Words” by Cate Fell

Submitted to Contest #82

I don’t think I grieved for my dad the right way. Everyone says there’s no right way to grieve but I feel as though this looming shadow is following me around, not of sadness, but of shame. I feel shame for how I feel less, for how I was never as sad, for how I was able to move on. So when I look outside my door that morning and see a package from my doctor, I feel more dread than excitement, just anticipating it to find out something wrong with me. My doctor gave me some pieces of technology to help with the grieving process. How met...

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Write about a technophobe who’s been given a device to solve a problem they’ve struggled with for years, but isn't sure how they feel about it.

Submissions are closed

✍️ 95 stories

“KNOB” by Cole Lane

“TECHNOLOGY!” by WINATA YANTONO WIDARTO HS STUDENT

“5G” by Philip Ebuluofor

“Easy Eyes” by Keston Paul

“Where is the Damn On Button” by Hannah Matiel

“The Old and the New” by Bonnie Clarkson

“The Automatic Writer” by Victoria Lucas

“Dealing with Change ” by Regina Morrison

“The RGH Compromise” by Nancy Gwillym

“The Dream Door” by Aburrow Marsh

“Hermie” by Chris D

“The Homesteader’s Pet” by Isla Wren

“Nobody Said That It Would Last Forever” by Kate Strong

“The Unicorn and The Gramophone” by Matthew Langford

“Our Final Words” by Cate Fell

🌟 Similar prompts

Your character has just realized the app they’ve been developing has become self-aware. How do they react?

Write a historical fiction story about someone working at a company that helped revolutionize early computers.

Write a near-future thriller where a piece of everyday technology has turned against your character — and only your character.

Write about an android just trying to blend in with their human companions.

Contest #82

Enter our weekly contest!

$50

Prize money

537

Contest entries

0

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

Explore more writing prompt ideas: