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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

“"CORRECTION, YOUR HONOUR...!"” by Adele Maree

Submitted to Contest #82

Not that you’d notice underneath all the charm and good manners, but I’ve been struggling a bit. “Zap” Liar….Okay, I’ve been struggling quite a lot actually….struggling to settle down into a nice, healthy relationship with a nice, stable girl, struggling to separate work hours from my personal life, struggling to respect the idea of even having a balanced life…. Work, home, video games, gym, drinks with school mates…but only on some weekends, work, home…and repeat…like the cycles on a washing machine. Sitting with the translucent glass bal...

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“Ripples” by Sam Ackman

Submitted to Contest #82

John sat on a hard, uneven log, staring into the crackling flickering flames in front of him. He sat here as dinner was prepared and as the sun dipped down below the trees. He sat here after the others turned in for the night - he could see the dancing shadows on their stagnant forms, wrapped up in bed rolls like sausages. There has to be something I can do differently tomorrow. John sat on the log, his eyes open through the late hours, foot tapping incessantly. He brought up his hands and covered his face, as i...

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“Longing to be Free” by Xan Wakefield

Submitted to Contest #82

“Tracey Laurence, do you take Donna Renetta to be your wife?” Desirous eyes and loving smiles paint the faces of two lives sealing a promise that ties their souls together under the watchful gaze of family, friends, and possibly a higher power above. A wonderous blur of a day remembered as a mixture of laughing, crying, mingling, and dancing creating a celebration of a union that fails to hint at future changes. “Do you promise to be faithful to her in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, to love her and to honor her all the...

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“The Last Post ” by Javier Garcia-Fonseca

Submitted to Contest #82

Julian handed him the phone, as he stood stocked from the device that was in front of him. He hadn’t looked at another one of those devices for 3 years, ever since the passing of his late wife. While watching the light illuminate the dark shadows of the small office, he thought he had been ready to face his fears, but he had been mistaken. The loss of his wife had taken a toll on his ability to trust any smartphone, especially a Twitter account. Julian looked over at Joseph who was still frozen from the initial shock of seeing t...

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“Lawrence's Leg” by David Zasloff

Submitted to Contest #82

“Be a man,” said Joseph. “I'm tired of your complaints.” “But an artificial limb?” Lawrence shuddered. “How does that make me more of a man? I get along fine with one leg.” “Bullshit!” Joseph's scowl dug trenches in his forehead. “Yesterday you were practically crying in your beer. Called yourself a cripple. Don't tell me you get along fine.” “Jeez, relax.” Lawrence held up his hands. “You know how I feel about robot stuff.” “Yeah, I know how you feel about robotics, and it's stupid.” Lawrence began to see red – his pulse raced. “H...

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“ The Dangerous AI Assistant” by Caden Hilton

Submitted to Contest #82

The Dangerous AI Assistant It was a normal Saturday afternoon in the year 2031. My associates and I were finishing up an app that will answer questions and give advice on what to do. We called it Sofia. It was so good at its job it almost seemed self-conscience. Finally after all the editing and testing, we agreed it was ready to be put into the app stores. That night we celebrated our app’s release but little did we know what Sofia would become. &n...

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“And I set you free” by Taylor Zimmet

Submitted to Contest #82

I wake up to the sun shining on my face. It's unusual since I usually stay in bed until the very last minute before getting ready for work. I don't think I've ever woken before my alarm before, and it's nice not feeling so rushed. It is almost relaxing that I can lie in my comfy, cozy bed for a bit longer before my alarm goes off. A memory of a younger myself pops up into my head. When I was a kid, my mom would walk into my room several times each morning to get me up for school. The frustration in her voice as she is trying to stir me...

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“We are Thomas” by Jennifer Prater

Submitted to Contest #82

“Did it come in?” “No it will be here tomorrow?” Thomas had finally given in and bought the new RT99. It was basically a smartwatch phone health meter all in one. “Dude you’re going to love it, I lost five pounds thanks to this and it tells me what my cholesterol is. I’m fit as a fiddle thanks to this little thing. Also look-” Will spoke a command and a small hologram of a dog dancing with a tiny tophat on emitted from the device. “It can literally do anything,” Will spoke excitedly. “I know, you’ve said, for what it cost it better h...

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“Lights, Camera, Action” by Szymon Kutchin

Submitted to Contest #82

In the beginning, it was nice. There was less energy loss in the city. The lights sensed when someone was near and would brighten the path around people, then dim them after the person had left. One would think that this would increase crime since they thought that the lights would dim after someone was in the same place for an extended period. However, the sensors on the lights detected a person’s shape, movements, no matter how small, and also communicated with other lights to provide enough information on a person’s movements. They also w...

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“Droids Just Want to Have Fun” by Katharine Johns

Submitted to Contest #82

Open log #380-421I was born Androxdroid 380.21.456000, commissioned by the home planet to surveil the planet earth.Having intercepted an interstellar instrument of the earth planet civilization, originally an unfamiliar entity, the Androx resolved to investigate said planet, its beings, and its ways.The Androx are the most scientific and technically advanced beings in many galaxies. Having intercepted an interstellar instrument of the earth planet civilization, originally an unfamiliar entity to us, Androxians resolved to investigate said pl...

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“Androides Vitae” by Peggy Spencer

Submitted to Contest #82

Following in the footsteps of my ancestors. A frequent strange saying my human friends said. They'd once explained it to me as, “Des, the people that came before us are people we want to be like. We share blood with them.” How could something dead share the life force of blood with something living? They didn't elaborate. My name is Androides, but the humans called me Des. It sounded 'more human', according to them. I have no memory of how I came to be here, one day I woke up and unfamiliar human faces peered at me. I knew my name, and that...

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“Master?” by Praire Rose

Submitted to Contest #82

Pele analyzed the people around it. Miguel elbowed the absentminded android. Pele faced him, putting on what humans call a smile. “Yes friend?” Miguel points to the board in front of them. “Tell me your secret, please. You’re the only person that can beat Silas.” The pieces were in an order so perfect, Pele didn’t want to ruin it. Yet in order to get back on schedule Pele had to. He explained in a way that looked to have broken Miguel. “Did I overload your processing chip?” Miguel shook his head, before looking up. “Wait, so you’re telling...

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“The Unexpected Android ” by SHRIDHAR SURYAWANSHI

Submitted to Contest #82

My name is Sam Sung. After you read that, I’m sure all of your reactions are: “Whoever wrote this is crazy-I have a myriad of better things to accomplish, like, oh I don’t know, eat ice cream until my stomach explodes?” Hmm, I suppose that’s iota quixotic, and hey, it’s not my fault my parents are evil enough to baptize my first name to Sam. Moving on, it’s essential to know what I’m writing or you’re all going to be enslaved or dead. Mind you, neither sounds like a dream come true. There are egregious robots who probably want to m...

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“Project X ” by Rayshawn Butler

Submitted to Contest #82

"Technology holds a special place in my heart. I use it everyday such as chatting with my friends, playing video games, live streaming videos and, on rare occasions, paying the bills. Well, scratch that, I'm responsible for paying the bills. However, if there's one thing that excites me about science is having an android for a friend. This is a short story about the blossoming friendship between me and my friends and an android.""Guys!" Margaret shouted as she ran to me and Jack. "What is it, Margaret?" Jack said. "Didn't you see the news la...

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“Just another day in Texas” by Richard Hawkins

Submitted to Contest #82

Hello. My name is Bruno. I am the most advance AI android developed by Entek, the largest builder of human form androids in the world. I am a self repairing prototype that is a 24 hour a day machine who can recharge on the go. I have 30 processors and the ability to add memory by Simms or with unlimited fiber optic network that can download from any cloud. My body language is design to be as human as possible. I can preform on stage the most heart felt emotions, and I can talk in any know proper language. I have skin, hair and facial feature...

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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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