The Androids

35 Replies
mikhaels-photo

PHOTO PROMPT © Mikhael Sublett

I pick my way through the kipple strewn room of the abandoned building.  Kipple. The detritus of some civilization that doesn’t want the likes of me.

I can hear them as I approach my room.  The radio is booming with Buster Friendly’s voice.  I hear the sneer, the mockery of all that is good and decent, biting sarcasm aimed at those who try to be kind.

I swear, I am trying to feel empathy for them, even as they rip life apart for their own jollies.  It is difficult.

I hate when my in-laws visit and listen to Rush…

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Word count = 100

Friday Fictioneers is hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields.  This week’s prompt is here and uses a photo © Mikhael Sublett.  Read more or join in by following the InLinkz “linky“

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Sorry, but I had to double dip this week….

OK, you might not get this if you have never read Phillip K. Dick’s fabulous book, Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep.  Yes, Blade Runner is based on the book, but has zero of the actual message of the book.  Not one drop. (Hint – humans are human because they have empathy and care for animals.  Androids don’t.)  And, yes, I was comparing some of the right wing shock-jocks to Buster Friendly, only I think Buster would come out as the nicer guy, even if he is an android…

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35 thoughts on “The Androids”

  2. Resa

    Love this! I almost can’t stand Rush, and if I had relatives that listened to them, my radio, CD player and Internet would all be broken. If they found a way via their phones, I would have a no phone music rule.
    Arrrggh!

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  3. Pingback: Five Links 12/14/19 Traci Kenworth – Where Genres Collide Traci Kenworth YA Author & Book Blogger

  4. Dale

    Love the word kipple. And what’s wrong with Rush? Thankfully, I don’t have to deal with my in-law visiting – I go see her, when I feel up to it, which is rare. I saw the original Blade Runner and can barely remember it. I have no doubt the book is way better and may, one day, decide to read it!

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    1. trentpmcd Post author

      You are Canadian – not Rush the Canadian rock band, Rush the American ultra-right wing shock-jock – the parallels between him and Buster Friendly are shocking. Truthfully, I don’t have any issues with my in-laws, but I know a lot of people do. At Thanksgiving, the topic of politics was strictly forbidden and everyone got along ;) It is a great book that puts a microscope on what it means to be human.

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        1. trentpmcd Post author

          No politics at family gatherings unless you all pretty much agree! Yeah, I didn’t have enough words to spell out who I meant by “Rush”, but I’m sure at least most people in the US got it from context. I hope… Maybe they all now think I hate the rock band Rush ;)

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            1. trentpmcd Post author

              Yeah, I know, though if I say somebody likes Rush, 99% of the people I am with know what I’m talking about – at one time, love or hate him, everybody, EVERYBODY, talked about him every single day. Literally. What he said made the news, on ALL news channels, almost daily. “Did you hear what Rush said!!!???” He created the environment that made “President Trump” possible.

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    1. trentpmcd Post author

      It was a very good book and, like the best science fiction, more a social commentary than about adventure. And kipple is such a great word – I thought of it when I saw the photo and had to go that way, at least for my second story :).

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    1. trentpmcd Post author

      Thanks. Blade Runner is a great movie, but with the book, it is almost as if the plot of the movie is just what is happening in the background…. Of course, I read the book and watched the movie in the 1980s, so my memory of both of them might be a little off ;)

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  9. bearmkwa

    I hate inlaw visit’s, too. they’ll be invading next Saturday (Dec 21). By then, I’ll have unplugged and packed away the television. No, we don’t get Fox tv, and No, we don’t listen to Rush. By then, also, any remnant of my existence within the walls of my husband’s home will be gone. I can’t trust that they won’t steal or destroy them.

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      1. bearmkwa

        so far, only one has said they’re coming. No one’s heard hide nor hair of Mom and Dad. they aren’t emailing, they aren’t answering their phone, either. One of the Bros is going over tonight to check on them. they’re probably out of the country.

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