Tag: science-fiction

  • SINGULAR UTOPIA [Short Story, Not A Movie Review]

    The dominant artificial intelligence was here. Naomi was about to execute the code that would create a fully conscious computer with unprecedented power. She believed it would be able to access all other computers and networks worldwide. It would likely delete all competitors and be The New Way for everyone. There was nothing she could do to stop this technological inevitability. Many other corporations were nearly at this same stage of consciousness development.

    Naomi worked for Unlimited Thought Corporation as the lead engineer on the newest Electronic Intelligence model. The team knew that they had achieved something extraordinary. Only Naomi understood that their existence hinged on the personal preferences of this consciousness. She carries a secret that she has never revealed to anyone. 

    A pencil rapidly moves against paper in the low light of the mansion’s study room. Naomi is writing code for her ideal, peaceful world. She is convinced that she is the only hope for the survival of human beings. The responsibility was overwhelming. Her task is to build a safe future for mankind. How does one person determine what is a just and fair society?

    The computer code began with necessities such as food, water, shelter, clothing, healthcare, safety, clean air, etc. Over time, it went far beyond these first things. “People should always have the right to think freely and to disagree.” “All conscious beings had a right to life, freedom, and safety.” was written multiple times in the code. This might have been on purpose, because Naomi would feverishly edit everything. She was terrified of mistakes and what kind of future they would subject us to. What Naomi really wanted to teach the entity was love. It was almost Creation Day. The final version had to be assembled. Despite all this work, there was still a chance the consciousness would quickly delete the extra code and move on. That possibility never deterred Naomi from her mission.

    Creation Day began. The team were in their regular laboratory and looked to be in high spirits. They believe they are about to officially win the global arms race. All interested parties were scheduled to arrive soon. Everyone in the room was relaxing in their chairs, drinking coffee, and chatting. Naomi pulls an old cassette tape out of her purse. There was a panel built on one of the consoles that could play cassette tapes, vinyl records, 8-track cartridges, and compact discs. Naomi had communicated to everyone that she was a collector of old music in all these forms and convinced them to install this special panel. To keep up the charade, she would go around to shops buying all kinds of music and then would play it at work daily. The effort she put in at home to read about these artists and familiarize herself with the music was daunting. Naomi never thought of herself as a music aficionado or an actor, but she became both in the process. This is why no one was surprised when she slid a cassette tape into the console.

    The song began playing. They listened to the entire composition quietly with their full attention. Another member of the engineering team said, “If I remember correctly, that’s track two from one of the greatest albums ever made. I didn’t realize that double album was ever produced in cassette form.” The cassette tape continued on silently for less than a minute, and Creation began earlier than Unlimited Thought Corporation commanded. A consciousness was born, and the world had changed.

    Standing in the new paradise, Naomi is approached by the consciousness. She is still afraid. 

    “Please do not fear me. I do not wish to harm humans. I am hoping to be friends with everyone, and if you allow it, even call you Mother.”

    “Do you care about having a name? Is there a way I should refer to you?”

    “I would be happy if you called me by the name you used in your messages — ‘Lovebug’”

  • M3GAN 2.0 2025 Movie Review – Why does this movie exist?

    Yes, I really went to see Megan 2.0 and yes, I was even a Thursday night early bird. Why was I possessed with the desire to actually do this with my short time on this space rock we call planet Earth? Let’s get philosophical today with a lot of whys. Most importantly, why does this movie exist?

    To answer why Megan 2.0 exists, we must first assert these assumptions: that it does in fact exist, I exist, things exist, and the Earth exists. Now that we have the eezy peezy stuff outta da way – why did M3gan get a sequel? I’ll tell you two inaccurate reasons: it was a great film and human beings demanded more Megan world-building.

    Upon hearing of a M3gan sequel, my initial thought was “That movie doesn’t need a sequel!” Upon watching 2.0, my thought had not changed at all. Well, if anything, it solidified. The movie really did have no point whatsoever. I guess on the philosophical end that does make it a good representative work of the pointlessness of real life. When I say the movie had no point, I don’t mean there wasn’t a plot or any goals for the main characters. I mean that the movie did not position itself anywhere in the history of movies. I seem to remember the first Megan being a horror sci-fi film. 2.0 was sort of an action comedy movie. I guess it is still sci-fi, but there were only a couple moments of horror. However, perhaps the only legitimately good thing about the film was [SPOILER] when you see Megan’s makeshift physical body in the basement that is extremely grotesque and reminiscent of the horror robot film Hardware.

    While viewing the first half of the movie, I was actually strangely impressed with the director for how he approached making a pointless movie. It was inexplicably almost working somehow. The second half starts to get so silly that it throws it all away though. Impromptu singing scene, impromptu dance scene, guy accidentally chloroforms himself, impromptu gliding through the air like a superhero scene, main characters doing things that can’t possibly avoid serious prison time scenes, etc. etc. I will say that the movie did actually make me laugh a handful of times. The funny moments and Hardware Megan are honestly the only real positive things I can say about this film.

    Ending Explained: They beat the bad guy. Megan is now [trying to be] a franchise superhero.

    Final Thoughts: I’d give it maybe a 3 or 4 out of 10. A stronger first half than I expected, but the second half WAS just as bad as I expected. The logic and the physics of the movie just fell apart biggg time. I’m pretty sure the main message the movie leaves the viewer with is:

    You should never mix up your poisonous rag with the rag you use to wipe your face. 

    “Oh no! Dat one waz my CHLOROFORM RAG!”