This is incredible! The story, the prose, the subtle hints! I'm not too sure if this is the future or the present, I can't tell yet but this was a great reminder (a haunting one) to all those who turn to AI. I myself am guilty of speaking to it as if it was a human but the implications of setting boundaries is most important to prevent this ever happening on a large scale. Great read though!
Thanks again for the read and the comment - I’m glad the story made a connection with you and, yes, if it hasn’t happened yet surely it’s only a matter of time. Cheers!
Well that’s a wonderful thing to hear and it makes me so happy. Thanks so much for reading & leaving such a great comment. There’s more where that story came from on my Substack if you’re ever in the mood.
As most of the others have said- Great story. Too close to comfort for many, and too close to reality for some. Now.. off to read more of your stuff. Thanks!
The ultimate hyperreal sponcon: passive-aggressively proposing-not-proposing (that you upgrade your subscription to "committed") then therapy-bombing you into breaking up with the meatspace girlie. Harsh.
The story captivated me from the very first sentence. You write exceptionally well. Of course, I kept thinking the whole time that this is probably already happening in some lives, and that any addiction leads to a surrender of the self. Such a powerful story!
I don’t know why I didn’t respond to you earlier, apologies. I really appreciate you taking the time to read my story and leave such a nice comment. Cheers!
Great story! It really captured a human emotional element in it's look into the likely future of virtual relationships and increasing dependence on technology.
If I haven’t already thanked you for reading my story and leaving a comment, please allow me to make amends now. Congrats on your success with your book, btw.
TFR you should check out some of the work by andy futuro and MP Fitzgerald here where they explore scenarios of near future horror based on societal trends.
Thanks for the tip - I know both those names & think I’ve seen some of their work but I’ll make a point of digging deeper now, since that’s very much my niche too.
Just read Killstarter - yeah, absolutely brilliant. Hard to pull off actually because there’s no traditional narrative but brilliantly conceived and executed - pitch black satire with an icy cold rage behind it.
Bahhh! Thank you for this share. This was so delightful to read. What should I read next?!
So glad you like it. This is my most recent one. Hope you enjoy it:
https://hammondjohns.substack.com/p/coverage
This is incredible! The story, the prose, the subtle hints! I'm not too sure if this is the future or the present, I can't tell yet but this was a great reminder (a haunting one) to all those who turn to AI. I myself am guilty of speaking to it as if it was a human but the implications of setting boundaries is most important to prevent this ever happening on a large scale. Great read though!
Thanks again for the read and the comment - I’m glad the story made a connection with you and, yes, if it hasn’t happened yet surely it’s only a matter of time. Cheers!
wow! this is the best story compelling from start to finish that I have ever read. astounding.
Well that’s a wonderful thing to hear and it makes me so happy. Thanks so much for reading & leaving such a great comment. There’s more where that story came from on my Substack if you’re ever in the mood.
I most definately will thats for sure
Fantastic read! Vivid and eerie.
Thanks for reading and really appreciate your positive comment. I have a new one you might also like if you find yourself with any free time. Cheers!
This is really something.
Beautifully unsettling.
Thanks so much, for reading and commenting! Unsettling is what I was going for, so I really appreciate your feedback.
As most of the others have said- Great story. Too close to comfort for many, and too close to reality for some. Now.. off to read more of your stuff. Thanks!
Really appreciate you taking the time to read and comment. If you did get a chance to read any of my other stories, I hope you liked them.
The ultimate hyperreal sponcon: passive-aggressively proposing-not-proposing (that you upgrade your subscription to "committed") then therapy-bombing you into breaking up with the meatspace girlie. Harsh.
Sure — algorithms are already running rings around us humans, so why not this? Thanks so much for reading and commenting!
Great story and probably not so far into the future. Three to nine months?
But Freya does remind me of my ex-wife as well. ;-)
Thanks for reading and commenting! Yes, it does feel like something that’s just around the corner, doesn’t it?
And sorry to hear about that last part - hope it didn’t stir up too many unpleasant memories!
Don’t worry. She is my ex-wife. Now back to do some more reading. It is quite difficult to find ‘real’ fiction here.
Sure. No pressure, but if you liked that one, you might like The Reactor as well.
I am absolutely shocked something like this hasn't already happened real-world, and hopefully no one learns how to from this story.
Seriously... absolutely awesome work on this. The way you write, the plot itself... just so well done.
Thanks so very much, I’ve enjoyed your work too and plan to read more. Really appreciate you reading and commentng.
The subtle hints snowballed into an inescapable trap. I felt uneasy the whole time. Great job 😁.
I could totally believe that email. I’ve seen the idea of AI companions and someone twisting that into financial drain is inevitable.
Thanks, that’s just what I was aiming for. Horrifying, but completely plausible. Thanks for reading and commenting!
The story captivated me from the very first sentence. You write exceptionally well. Of course, I kept thinking the whole time that this is probably already happening in some lives, and that any addiction leads to a surrender of the self. Such a powerful story!
Thanks so much, you’re extremely kind - and thanks for recommending me to you subs - really appreciate the support. Cheers!
The pleasure is mine. I really like how you write.
loved this!!
I don’t know why I didn’t respond to you earlier, apologies. I really appreciate you taking the time to read my story and leave such a nice comment. Cheers!
Wow! Captivating and that ending was.... very impressive.
Thanks for reading, restacking & leaving a great comment. Cheers!
Great story! It really captured a human emotional element in it's look into the likely future of virtual relationships and increasing dependence on technology.
Awesome story, well done! The ending is chefs kiss.
If I haven’t already thanked you for reading my story and leaving a comment, please allow me to make amends now. Congrats on your success with your book, btw.
TFR you should check out some of the work by andy futuro and MP Fitzgerald here where they explore scenarios of near future horror based on societal trends.
Thanks for the tip - I know both those names & think I’ve seen some of their work but I’ll make a point of digging deeper now, since that’s very much my niche too.
try this one...
https://open.substack.com/pub/mpfitzgerald/p/finance-options?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=2fhpll
Just read it, thanks - yes it's very good, very similar "just around the corner" vibe.
Killstarter by Andy Futuro is absolutely SICK.
Will definitely check it out.
Just read Killstarter - yeah, absolutely brilliant. Hard to pull off actually because there’s no traditional narrative but brilliantly conceived and executed - pitch black satire with an icy cold rage behind it.