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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#82: How App-ropriate

Love it or loathe it, there’s no denying that modern technology has reshaped literally every aspect of our daily lives. From the way we stay in touch with family and friends, to the ready access of information (or misinformation), to how we work and then spend our hard-earned cash, there’s no part of modern life that isn’t impacted by technology.

And it’s safe to say the advancement of tech is only accelerating. But while some characters welcome — or even help usher in — this changing world, others won’t be so accepting. This week, let’s take a look at some of the highs and lows of a world run by algorithms.

This week's prompts

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.

Character – 95 stories

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

Science Fiction – 74 stories

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

Historical Fiction – 17 stories

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

Thriller and Suspense – 130 stories

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

Science Fiction – 221 stories

Stories

“The Printer” by Andre Ferreira

Submitted to Contest #82

In a dimly lit bedroom, a middle-aged man with gold, D-frame glasses is hunched over a printer which is sitting on a stool, and his half-conscious wife is tied to a fancy blue chair.They bought that chair together as a yay-we’re-finally-cohabitating gift to themselves. She had whispered in his ear about tying him to it and doing all sort of things to him. Her lips had tasted like cherry that day, and she still wore her curls long, down to her shoulders. And now she was the one in the chair; and he was the one that was going to do all sorts o...

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“Weird Circumstances” by Fantasy Maniac

Submitted to Contest #82

Sunshine coming through the window. Washed dishes dripping slowly. The quiet and calm atmosphere around the house; something I won't change with anything. It's just… there is this feeling. Like I'm not the only one in this house. Like someone's eyes always piercing through me, following me where ever I go. Don't know exactly when but it's been some time since I started to have this unpleasant feeling in my house. It got to the point that, just in case, I called an exorcist over. But he didn't find anything. Somehow I'm relieved there wasn't...

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“Saara's Cellphone ” by Kumbi Chitenderu

Submitted to Contest #82

She stared at her mobile phone. It lay motionless on the table in front of her. It was harmless at that moment. You’re being irrational Saara, she said out loud. You need to get a grip. Not for the first time that day she regretted having the AI system installed in her house. She was convinced that somehow, someone else was in control. But, who would take her seriously? It had all been exciting at first: how she could open her complex gate from anywhere in the city, how she could get advice on what meals were possible with the ingr...

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“Maid service” by Anes Nia

Submitted to Contest #82

I just came back home from a tiresome day's work at the office, ending one fully packed week. Worn out and feeling like a total wreck. I showered and took a seat by the window, cuddling my cat for some sheer energy while waiting for my Esther to prepare dinner. My phone rings interrupting my meal, It’s a message from my partner Zoe notifying me to examine the files she sent me earlier about a case related to the one I’m working on. I passionately kissed Milo and hugged her one more time, gently letting her know that she encouraged me t...

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“Attitude” by Frank Lester

Submitted to Contest #82

How do you program attitude in a computer chip? I live amongst an array of electronics in an apartment constructed with the future in mind. I miss the “old things” I once used, but it is what it is, and I must adapt. Progress deems what is necessary and I will acquiesce; surrender; accept. However, I do have my limits. One of the futuristic amenities, the Super Toaster, a puzzle of circuits and chips, takes the simple act of making toast out of my hands, selecting a slice of bread from a loaf stored deep within its arcane bowels an...

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“A Flash of Silver” by Nuala Roberts

Submitted to Contest #82

I looked over to see the new girl - Mira Starr, I think her name was - get shoved into a locker. Great.We've all been through the degrading initiation process James and his gang have so kindly taken it upon themselves to bestow. That doesn't make it right."Hey James!" I call out. "I heard your mom left when you were little, is that why you turned out so trash?"He looks shocked, and for a split second I feel guilty. His mom's departure is a bit of a sore spot for him, as I know too well. But the feeling quickly fades when he scowls and spits ...

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“Mr. Atkinson ” by Nick L.

Submitted to Contest #82

“Stare at him for a while and you’ll see it, I swear to God…” I recall these joking words from earlier, from a chaotic lunchtime with my sister, her friends, and a couple other upper-classmen, all spinning yarns about the odd, creepy, perverted, or occasionally interesting teachers and members of the administrative staff that haunted the high school. It was always something of a treat to hear these older students share their stories and opinions on classes and teachers, because it gave me the chance to analyze which hallways I should avoid,...

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“Android #652” by Raymond Stanton

Submitted to Contest #82

Earth Date February 22, 2021 Android #652 Log #6 This assignment has proven to be far more complicated than anticipated. The humans are difficult to get along with in most places I’ve traveled here. The land they call the United States of America is by far the strangest, and currently where I am now as this is being logged. I’m sitting on an old rotten log out in the natural realm of this planet, which I have found is the one thing on Earth that actually makes any sort of sense. It is the only place any sort of creatu...

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“The odd ones” by Slothy Penguin

Submitted to Contest #82

People always said that being odd is good, it's different, unique, it's a characteristic that makes the world more colorful. Being the odd one is a blessing they said. But in my case it is the polar opposite. For me it's dangerous, one mistake, strange move and I'm going to be shutdown. I cannot afford to make mistakes. Or rather I cannot afford not to make mistakes. After all imperfection and mistakes are the human kind's nature.So as a humanoid I must master the skills of being a human being and mingle amongst them in order to survive.Toda...

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“I'm Different. ” by Austin McCreary

Submitted to Contest #82

--- 1 Week Later----- I felt the cold stares follow me as I run out of the building. If I could cry they would be streaming down my face like a waterfall, but I cant so I scream. I run as fast as I can out of the school and down to the park, my mechanical breathing coming in gasps. Why cant I be normal I think to myself in a scream, Im angry at myself but I shouldn't be. I should be mad at Tod Walker, the man who created me. -- Present Day -- "Audrey! Wait up!" The kind but crazy voice of my best friend floods my ears, her loud footsteps...

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“The Android who Loved to Smile” by Gauri Awasthi

Submitted to Contest #82

'James' stood in front of the mirror, contemplating how to smile. He awkwardly twitched the corners of his mouth, and then broke out in a grin. He still was not. satisfied with his result, as he still did not look human enough. 'Try 13', he recorded in his mind. James, was actually, an android. He was created in a lab in a warehouse, but was soon discarded as he was not "perfect enough". Then too, his only imperfections were his body proportions, which again, were not that noticeable. He named himself, James. The reason he did that, was b...

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“Subject A” by Yvette Francaise

Submitted to Contest #82

People rushed past me as they talked on their cellphones. Horns beeped impatiently as I waited to walk across. If I had a heart, it would be beating out of my metal ample chest. My white t-shirt and jeans made me feel out of place. I had stolen them in my escape. I had to blend in or I would be caught by the scary people in white lab coats with a clipboard in their hand. My jade green eyes flickered across the bustling crowd searching for them. My software freaked out as I noticed I had no shoes. I now stood out. Panicking, I hid in ...

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“Digital to Physical - An AI's Entrance into the Real World” by Peter Bombara

Submitted to Contest #82

In an undisclosed location…drones were walking around a small laboratory, with some working on consoles, and others standing holding tablets. The drones there were all under the control of the AI’s known as CALYPSO and ARES. All that were standing, were facing the focal point of the small laboratory, a flat hard operating table. On the table, was a humanoid metallic body. The body was built under the supervision of CALYPSO and her team, who started the project in the first place. She earlier decided just before the first of the year, to go a...

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“The Gods of Mursi: Dreaming of an artificial god” by Gary Belton

Submitted to Contest #82

The God’s of Mursi: “Dreaming of an artificial God” A half-person sized pyramid with a soft, liquid metal-like surface hovers a half-person above ground atop one of numerous ledges in the vast, cavernous gorge the Mursian people call “Home”. Gen Tago walks slowly around the structure, holding a conversation with his work as he surveys the rotating hologram emitting from the disc in his hand: “And do you know where you are?” “I do” The structure responds with a shimmer in a pleasant yet elegant woman’s voice. ...

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“The Terrible Strangeness of Humanity ” by Hannah Wesson

Submitted to Contest #82

Subject 306 had a mission. It was one of the first missions the android had ever received, and it was seemingly quite simple. The machinery which allowed Subject 306 to move needed testing, the new fleshy plastic which covered all his mechanisms had been replaced, making Subject 306 appear as though he were a real life-force. It was time to experiment. His inventors wanted to see just how human he really looked. He was to walk around the busy streets of his city, he was to react, speak, smile, nod, blend in and report back. Simple. Dirt w...

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$50

Prize money

537

Contest entries

0

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Feb 26, 2021 EST

Won by Cyndy Reads 🏆

Title: ALN23061912RK

Submissions must be between 1,000 - 3,000 words and will be approved and published on Reedsy Prompts within 7 days of the contest closing.

Read the full terms & conditions or check out the FAQ if you have any questions!

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