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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

“Phil and Jenny” by Lynn Dewees

Submitted to Contest #82

Phil and Jenny Phil rushed to get back. He knew the others would be concerned; the explosion was massive. But he had escaped into Second Space ahead of the blast and wasn’t affected. Commissioner Jansen was a different story. The Commissioner had been infused with helixium for nearly two years. The sudden separation from the metal had blanked his memories. But not just recent ones; his entire life’s memories were gone. Phil had done what he could to get Jansen the care he needed, but now he had to get back. Rod, Jester and Sara wo...

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“SYDNEY, THE FRISBEE PLAYING DROID” by Sheila Payne

Submitted to Contest #82

Lexi was a junk collector, by night, and a computer programmer by day, working remotely from her home. She would drive around her community gathering other peoples trash, that they put to the curb. She truly believed in the motto: one persons trash, is another's treasure. She was also an artist and creator. She had a workshop off of her garage, where she kept her "junk", to repurpose.She had boxes sorted out of wheels and bolts and everything in between, so they were easily accessible when she was working on a project. Anything she found, sh...

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“Android's Night Out” by Elizabeth D

Submitted to Contest #82

It had finally happened. Greg, Amelia and Harold had invited me to the apartment they shared on the Eastside. I had worked for weeks to attract their notice, months to gain a semblance of friendship, and now, the epitome of our bond would be celebrated over delicacies and fine wine, not that I could partake in the enjoyment of consumption. Any food and drink I allowed to fall through my windpipe collected in a steel container I would empty at my convenience. Taste sensors lining my mouth allowed me t...

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“Cab Meet” by Yugel Losorata

Submitted to Contest #82

The emergency meeting was set aboard the state of art aircraft carrier that houses a majestic conference room where Chancellor Galzo would gather key members of his cabinet from time to time, discussing pressing matters of the state. His cabinet, composed of the ones that put him in power in the first place after they were assembled to conspire, then overthrow the previous government, expected an outcome that would repeat what they had done to Galzo’s predecessor. The eight figures who held key positions that practically put the whole big ...

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“Miss Fitt” by Heather Ann Martinez

Submitted to Contest #82

Miss Fitt By Heather Ann Martinez They say you should never judge a book by its cover. It is important to look inside. You know that skimming through the jacket is not enough to really know if the book is going to be a waste of time or if it is something you could have read to you frequently. None of us knew what to do when we were told androids were going to be integrated into our communities. We liked knowing that humanity had achieved such an accomplishment. Androids existed. They independently moved around on their own. They were al ...

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“Diary of an Android” by Tara R

Submitted to Contest #82

1st Feb 2019 Dear diary, Hello, my name is Android. The Oxford English Dictionary (the most respected dictionary in the world and the only software I have been programmed with) defines you as a book in which one keeps a daily record of events and experiences. However, my conversations with people and a quick watch of some films (Voldermort was helluva cunning to have his horcrux transferred in the hands of an infatuated teenage girl), have made it known to me that you are more than mere glue and paper bound together. For some people, you...

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“My Phone, Harry” by Alpine Aupair

Submitted to Contest #82

February 5- I have a problem. I forget things. Never people- just items. My neighbor suggested I start journaling. She said it might “strengthen my mental vibes” or some kind of malarky like that. I leave a trail of personal belongings wherever I go. I try to remember to check before I leave a place, but, inevitably, I will receive a text or a phone call asking if the blue watch is mine or did I mean to leave my wool jacket at Jerry's house. I've started labelling everything, just in case it's left behind. Last week, I went to the ma...

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“The Bereavement of George Thomson” by N K

Submitted to Contest #82

George’s limbs awoke from their dormant state as he felt the light spill through his translucent beige curtains. With a sigh, George pushed himself up onto his forearms and turned his rigid neck, eyes meeting the two thin hands on the perfectly circular clock hanging on the wall. 7:32 in the morning. A slight sigh escaped his lips as he pulled the duvet across his lap, exposing his bare legs. As his feet met the hardwood, he debated setting his bed though decided against it. He couldn’t be bothered. There wasn’t the smell of coffee waiting f...

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“Samuel and The Cube.” by Aydan Ruddick

Submitted to Contest #82

“Just me and the box now” Samuel stared down at the small metal cube no bigger than the size of his palm. Strange Gaelic-esque markings scratched across the block’s surface, engravings he prematurely deemed unimportant in the grand scheme of things. The only evidence of light in his room was that of the crisp autumn sun peeking through creases in the blinds. It almost felt symbolic, like those blinds represented his life up until this very moment, and he was about to pry them open to welcome the sun. The scratch of a chair being dragged from...

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“What the Iphone happened.” by Cinthia Phillips

Submitted to Contest #82

I am in the future, and I have been for three years. Every day seems like it repeats ever since I have been here the first day just replays all day every day. I have a device it is to travel back home. Back to be with my family, back to where they have newspaper back when we were I know it sounds funny, but to when we were wearing masks because of Corona Virus. I have never intended on using it, but today is my daughter’s 18th birthday it’s a big milestone. I want to be there to celebrate with her. Suddenly I hear a knock on the door, so I d...

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“Little Details” by Lana Harrell

Submitted to Contest #82

Regretting even showing up to his appointment Reese sat in a stiff waiting room chair. Seeing the person beside him check their phone he looked away. Having been badly electrocuted by a malfunctioning computer when he was younger the boy hasn't been very fond of technology since then. Even though he feels shameful about his hesitancy he just can’t shake it. Trying not to think about it he stares across the room at a poster about how to take proper care of your ears. Thinking of his ears he subconsciously threaded his fingers through his long...

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“The Mishap” by Rafia Naseer

Submitted to Contest #82

Technophobia. The fear of new technology. Quite surprisingly, technophobia affects 1/3 of the world’s population. Technophobia can originate due to past incidents and certain behavior taught since childhood. This phobia causes it’s victims to suffer from anxiety, which can lead to panic attacks, inevitably resulting in death. --------------------------------Virginia Mason Medical Center, United States...

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“The Happy Hat” by Will Flynn

Submitted to Contest #82

Content warning: mention of depression/suicide 1 Dr Rowan’s practice was based on the 1st floor of a 19th century terrace, just off the corner of Spadina and Willocks in downtown Toronto. From the outside, you’d be forgiven for mistaking it for a warm family home, a place filled with model trains, fluffy beanbags and unfinished math homework. But on the other side of those red-brick walls and grand bay windows, guests were met with the sterile, off-white soullessness of a functioning clinic. For Seth, that made arriving for his bi-wee...

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“The Banter Between Bloodhounds” by Linecker Da Silva

Submitted to Contest #82

Pale sunshine bounced off an undisturbed expanse of fresh fallen snow, flooded the windows of a lonely log cabin, and bled through their ancient barriers of tattered curtains and collaged newspapers. Faded layers of black ink print on arts and culture, sports, and events not so current diffused the brilliance of the light prisms inside to a stale yellow glow. Towers of old books grew from the cluttered floorboards, reaching toward the squat ceiling to further obscure the brightness, gently swaying at their roots and pinnacles like seaweed. E...

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“A Web of Apparatuses” by Zainab BH

Submitted to Contest #82

Room 104 was shaped like a perfect cube. The walls were smooth and white as were all the surfaces of the different Apparatuses placed against the wall at the East end of the room. Colors were used sparingly and only when necessary. There was no light in the room as there were no windows that would let the sunshine in. The only sound that could be heard was the low hum of Ventilation Apparatus 104, ensuring that the air was fresh and in steady supply. There seemed to be only one principle used while designing the room – functionality. At ex...

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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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