Category Archives: Flash fiction

The genie is out of the bottle

There’s a phrase that’s been on my mind a lot lately, as I’ve watched the progress of technology bring us closer and closer to the Singularity – the hypothetical point at which artificial intelligence (‘AI’) surpasses human intelligence, leading to … Continue reading

Posted in ... wait, what?, Computers and Internet, Flash fiction, Phlyarology, Science Fiction | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

Does absolute power corrupt absolutely?

It began with the forging of the Great Rings.Three were given to the elves; immortal, wisest and fairest of all beings.Seven to the dwarf lords; great miners and craftsmen of the mountain halls.And nine: nine rings were gifted to the … Continue reading

Posted in balance, Computers and Internet, Core thought, Flash fiction, Science Fiction | Tagged , , , , | 15 Comments

The yarn that got away

Back in 1982, or perhaps it was ’83, I was working on a short story; it was my first real attempt in my quest to ‘become a writer’. I wrote the story on my first computer (an Amstrad PCW), which … Continue reading

Posted in ... wait, what?, art, Fantasy, Flash fiction, Tech tips | Tagged , , , , , , | 20 Comments

The Encroaching Dark (be warned: this is pretty bleak)

It’s perfectly natural – it’s built into our genes – to act to protect, as best we can, our progeny. But all creatures are related, interdependent; and cousins should be more kind to each other. The super-rich were the first … Continue reading

Posted in ... wait, what?, Core thought, Flash fiction, GCD: Global climate disruption, Science Fiction | Tagged , , , , , | 32 Comments

The implausible green star hunter

None of us will ever forget the day we saw it. Though we may live to regret having done so. We weren’t looking for it, as such – naturally not: why would one deliberately try to find something that can’t … Continue reading

Posted in ... wait, what?, Fantasy, Flash fiction, People, Science, Science Fiction | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

Pursue excellence – but accept that you’re only human

Perfection is an unrealistic goal; but if all we ever strive to achieve is just what’s good enough, and sit back on our laurels once we’ve accomplished that, not only is perfection out of reach, excellence is, too. Continue reading

Posted in ... wait, what?, balance, Communication, Computers and Internet, Core thought, Flash fiction, memetics, Strategy | Tagged , , , , , | 18 Comments

A warning from the future

We sleep during the day, because anywhere but under the second skin it’s too hot to do anything else. At night we rise, to continue construction of The Project. Some talk of redefining the words ‘night’ and ‘day’ to reduce … Continue reading

Posted in ... wait, what?, Climate, Core thought, Environment, Flash fiction, GCD: Global climate disruption, Science Fiction | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

Squad action

“We’re going to need more men on this!” “Sir! Yes, sir!” The one that had spoken peeled away from the column and headed back to base, double time. The rest of them continued to reconnoitre. That boy will go far, … Continue reading

Posted in Fantasy, Flash fiction | Tagged , , , | 32 Comments

Heister

I’d been tracking this elusive character all over the world for two years now. Everywhere he hit, he left a photograph bearing the legend “always smile! PONY BROWN” as a calling card. After banging my head against the wall as … Continue reading

Posted in Drama, Flash fiction | Tagged , , , | 12 Comments

The centrepiece

“No, it’s not the colour, the colour’s just fine.” “Is it the lights? I could add more lights.” “No, no… there are just the right number of lights.” “Too many fountains? Too few?” “That’s not it.” By this time, I … Continue reading

Posted in ... wait, what?, art, balance, Flash fiction, Just for laughs, Phlyarology | Tagged , , , | 30 Comments