In Time, In Time

Original Content | 1/13/2024 | By Laz A. Mataz

[Lazamataz]

"So, you explored the galaxy I assigned you?"

"Yes, sir. I've cataloged more than sixteen thousand sentient races, in various stages of technical development. Twelve of them approach our level of technology."

"Have you approached those twelve?"

"I have. Six of them are artificially-intelligent races of machines, five are organically-based, and one race consists of coherent magnetic fields that can only exists in stars."

"That last one interests me. Please submit a report on that one, for my later review."

"I will do so, sir."

"How many failed races did you discover?"

"There was archeological evidence of more than forty-two thousand emergint species that died out. The usual causes were discovered: Natural disasters, stellar extinction, uncontrolled artificial intelligence, stuff like that. One sentient race was born during our exploration, their society evolved to great heights -- nowhere near ours, of course, but impressive in its speed -- but died out very quickly, in less than a percent of the time we dedicated to our exploration."

"Less than one percent! What was their problem?"

"They had extraordinarily short lifespans. A few natural disasters, and they died out very quickly."

"A shame. Did they have a name for themselves?"

"Yes. They called themselves Humans; they lived on a planet they called Earth."

Thar'ruuck paused briefly, allowing more than 12,000 years to pass, then spoke again.

"I'd like to read a report about that race as well."

[Flatus I. Maximus]

Exactly what I thought when I began reading it.

[Flatus I. Maximus]

> the King of Super Short SciFi Stories

It’s usually called “flash fiction,” and there are a lot of people writing it. You shouldn’t have too much trouble finding a publisher willing to publish stories like this one.

Finding a publisher who wants to *pay* you, on the other hand...

[PLMerite]

I remember that!

It also reminds me of dialogue from The Fifth Element:

Cop: “Sir, do you identify as human?”

Bruce Willis: “I am a meat popsicle.”

[Lazamataz]

Qor’ok, vIghro’, qet jagh ‘oH.

Qor’ok’e’ vav, bat’leth vIqaw’pu’—Hurgh yIja’.

Qor’ok, chenmoHwI’ Qorwagh, Kot’baval ngeH.

Qor’ok chu’wI’, QughHurgh, Qatlh wej wa’.

Kot’baval Suq ruch, jenHurgh batlhaw’ ‘ej loS vItlhutlh.

Qor’ok, Heghlu’meH QaQ jaj chu’ ‘e’ DaH jImej.

Qor’ok ‘ej bopHa’ ‘ach vaQ, ngIq chom vInob ‘oH.

Qor’ok, Hurgh, “tach HoS Qor’ok; ‘ej HoDvaD tach nIS.”

Hurgh, jenHurgh yIHoHvaD, qIvon Qor’ok’e’ chIm, chenmoHwI’ je.

Qor’ok’ vIghro’ Dapar, yInSuq, bat’leth yIchop.

Qor’ok, yaS, bat’leth jupma’ je vItlhutlh yIqaw’pu’.

Qor’ok’ vInob; yInSuq je ‘ej wejwI’ wej Qatlh.

‘ej qaStaHvIS, Qor’ok wIngeH, Doch vItlhutlh.

Qapla’!

(written in the original Klingon)

[Tijeras_Slim]

Been a long time fan Laz, through, as nearly as I can tell a dozen suspensions etc...

I’d call you the Robert Downey Jr. of FR.

[DataJunkie]

Well, you have my interest :)

[Flatus I. Maximus]

I yield. Truly, yours is the superior geekiness.

[buckalfa]

I would hit read more of your efforts.

[Some Fat Guy in L.A.]

Reminds me of an old Isaac Asimov short short story - “Silly Asses” - The Galactic Recorder or some such muckety-muck notes that the human race has achieved maturity by developing atomic fission, but when he finds out we tested our nukes on the surface of our own planet he writes us off as silly asses.

[Big Red Badger]

Looks like a good out line!
.
I’m working on one.
“Why are We Here?”

[dayglored]

Well done, Laz, and also thanks for the link to “Meat”. Hadn’t read that in years.

[Slings and Arrows]

I thought I recognized the influence. Good job!

[muir_redwoods]

https://jerrywbrown.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/They-are-made-out-of-meat-Bisson-Terry.pdf

[alexander_busek]

A writer I respect told me I should concentrate on writing fiction more than opinion editorials. He said I should focus on what I appear to do best.

"Quo Vadis"

Petronius: [in his dying letter to Nero] To Nero, Emperor of Rome, Master of the World, Divine Pontiff. I know that my death will be a disappointment to you, since you wished to render me this service yourself. To be born in your reign is a miscalculation; but to die in it is a joy. I can forgive you for murdering your wife and your mother, for burning our beloved Rome, for befouling our fair country with the stench of your crimes. But one thing I cannot forgive - the boredom of having to listen to your verses, your second-rate songs, your mediocre performances. Adhere to your special gifts, Nero - murder and arson, betrayal and terror. Mutilate your subjects if you must; but with my last breath I beg you - do not mutilate the arts. Fare well, but compose no more music. Brutalize the people, but do not bore them, as you have bored to death your friend, the late Gaius Petronius.

Regards,

[Lazamataz]

Sorry. I’ll make sure to hide my posts from you, lest I bore you further. You’ll note that you cannot even read this response.

I am very helpful, no?

[21twelve]

That is interesting that critique by ChatGPT. I might have to submit some stuff my daughter wrote years ago. I had always hoped she would grow up to write stuff. I guess there is still a chance.

[Lazamataz]

ChatGPT critiques far better than it writes.

Everything I have seen it write creatively, SUCKED.

[Lazamataz]

This is an example of ChatGPTs creative skills:

In the temporal confluence of 2278, Earth confronted an impending cataclysmic precipice, an astronomical anomaly of formidable proportions known as The Celestial Cascade, an insatiable cosmological entity relentlessly obfuscating galaxies within its voracious maw. The collective cerebral acuity of humanity coalesced to erect the quintessential bastion: the Star Beacon.

A dauntless astronaut, Captain Aria Vega, valiantly proffered herself for this odyssey fraught with peril. Ascending into the celestial expanse, she wielded a cosmic talisman, a quintessential paradigm of extraordinary efficacy, endued with the unparalleled capacity to manipulate the formidable anomaly. As Aria approached the Cascade, an ineffable energy enshrouded her, endowing her with the extraordinary capability to engage in profound discourse with the celestial force.

Discerning that the anomaly was not a malevolent juggernaut but an erstwhile recondite, sentient entity yearning for a sublime communion, Aria, with consummate persuasiveness, induced it to divest itself of its potent ontological energy towards the act of cosmogonic creation rather than unrestrained eschatological consumption. The Cascade underwent a metamorphic transmutation, transmogrifying into a cosmic font, dispensing galaxies with vivifying energies.

Humanity, teetering precipitously on the brink of ontological oblivion, burgeoned amidst a cosmic renaissance. Aria, lauded as the quintessence of heroism, assumed the mantle of an interstellar diplomat, fostering congenial relations between sentient entities dispersed across the vast cosmic tapestry.

The erstwhile imperiled Earth burgeoned into an archetype of unity and cooperative endeavor. The Star Beacon, an emblematic manifestation of sanguine optimism, perpetually embarked on exploratory sojourns throughout the cosmic vastness, cultivating transcendental alliances and disseminating profound esoteric erudition.

In the denouement, Captain Aria Vega, not equipped with conventional armaments but rather endowed with the indomitable strength of empathic metacognition, transmuted a cosmic menace into a fount of unparalleled prosperity. The Celestial Cascade, hitherto a portentous harbinger of dread, metamorphosed into a celestial custodian, vigilantly overseeing a universe illuminated by the ineffable virtues of compassion and concerted, cosmological collaboration. The astral expanse, aglow with rekindled optimism, bore witness as humanity embarked upon a forthcoming epoch suffused with auspicious, transcendent potentialities.

[Lazamataz]

How bad did THAT suck????

[DannyTN]

How many races were hitable?