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Clarkesworld Magazine, Issue 107, August 2015
FICTION
“Today I Am Paul” by Martin L. Shoemaker
“It Was Educational” by J.B. Park
“Security Check” by Han Song, translated by Ken Liu
“The Servant” by Emily Devenport
“Dying Young” by Peter M. Ball
“Softly Spoke the Gabbleduck” by Neal Asher
NON-FICTION
“"Fans Are Slans": A Study in Campbellian Influence” by Mark Cole
“Writing for Video Games: A Conversation with E. Lily Yu, Yoon Ha Lee, Robert Reed, Seth Dickinson, and Karl Schroeder” by Alvaro Zinos-Amaro
“Another Word: Hipsters of Zombieland” by Emily Devenport
“Editor's Desk: Editing Reality” by Neil Clarke
“Today I Am Paul” by Martin L. Shoemaker
“It Was Educational” by J.B. Park
“Security Check” by Han Song, translated by Ken Liu
“The Servant” by Emily Devenport
“Dying Young” by Peter M. Ball
“Softly Spoke the Gabbleduck” by Neal Asher
NON-FICTION
“"Fans Are Slans": A Study in Campbellian Influence” by Mark Cole
“Writing for Video Games: A Conversation with E. Lily Yu, Yoon Ha Lee, Robert Reed, Seth Dickinson, and Karl Schroeder” by Alvaro Zinos-Amaro
“Another Word: Hipsters of Zombieland” by Emily Devenport
“Editor's Desk: Editing Reality” by Neil Clarke
132 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2015
About the author
Neil Clarke
417 books407 followersNeil Clarke is best known as the editor and publisher of the Hugo and World Fantasy Award-winning
Clarkesworld Magazine.
Launched in October 2006, the online magazine has been a finalist for the Hugo Award for Best Semiprozine four times (winning three times), the World Fantasy Award four times (winning once), and the British Fantasy Award once (winning once). Neil is also a ten-time finalist for the Hugo Award for Best Editor Short Form (winning once in 2022), three-time winner of the Chesley Award for Best Art Director, and a recipient of the Kate Wilhelm Solstice Award. In the fifteen years since Clarkesworld Magazine launched, numerous stories that he has published have been nominated for or won the Hugo, Nebula, World Fantasy, Sturgeon, Locus, BSFA, Shirley Jackson, WSFA Small Press, and Stoker Awards.
Additionally, Neil edits Forever —a digital-only, reprint science fiction magazine he launched in 2015. His anthologies include: Upgraded, Galactic Empires, Touchable Unreality, More Human than Human, The Final Frontier, Not One of Us, The Eagle has Landed, , and the Best Science Fiction of the Year series. His next anthology, The Best Science Fiction of the Year: Volume Seven will published in early 2023.
He currently lives in New Jersey with his wife and two sons.
Additionally, Neil edits Forever —a digital-only, reprint science fiction magazine he launched in 2015. His anthologies include: Upgraded, Galactic Empires, Touchable Unreality, More Human than Human, The Final Frontier, Not One of Us, The Eagle has Landed, , and the Best Science Fiction of the Year series. His next anthology, The Best Science Fiction of the Year: Volume Seven will published in early 2023.
He currently lives in New Jersey with his wife and two sons.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
March 1, 2016
Currently this review is only for the short story "Today I am Paul" by Martin L. Shoemaker, which has just been nominated for a 2015 Nebula award. Clarkesworld magazine is free online, however, and I'll probably be adding some of the other stories in this issue to this review later.
I'll be reading and reviewing all of the current Nebula-nominated short stories, novelettes and novellas that are available online to read for free, and likely at least some of the non-freebies, as part of my current position as editor of the Short Fiction Monday ("SFM") feature on the Fantasy Literature website.
"Today I am Paul" - 4.5 stars. Review first posted at www.FantasyLiterature.com:
An android with medical programming is the primary caretaker of Mildred, an aging woman with dementia. Mildred’s son and granddaughter visit her regularly, but Mildred lives alone in her home. So Mildred’s family ordered a caregiver robot with an expensive “emulation net,” a set of neural networks and feedback systems that allows the robot to closely emulate people in Mildred’s life. When Mildred asks for her son Paul, the robot increases its height, changes its appearance and voice, and pretends to be Paul. When she thinks her granddaughter Anna is visiting, the robot extends its fake hair to its maximum length (which isn’t nearly long enough, but Mildred doesn’t seem to notice): today the robot is Anna.
The android struggles with the conflict between its emulation net, which requires it to act as much as possible like the actual person it is emulating, and its empathy net, which requires it to do and say the things that are best for Mildred. The issue of how we care for our elderly is part of the backdrop of “Today I am Paul”; the makers of the android use the rather unsettling slogan “You can be there for your loved ones even when you’re not.” But at the same time the robot’s emulation ability enables it ― and by extension the reader ― to truly understand and sympathize with the motivations and concerns of Mildred’s relatives.
“Today I am Paul” is a bittersweet and moving exploration, not just of aging and caregiving, but also of the fears that divide us and the relationships that bind us. It's sentimental, but I highly recommend it.
Free online at Clarkesworld magazine.
By the way, another Fantasy Literature reviewer, Bill, also wrote a review of "Today I am Paul" for the SFM feature that was just posted today, which I think is more insightful than my review here. I'm totally jealous, but you should read his review here, as well as some of our other SFF short fiction reviews.
I'll be reading and reviewing all of the current Nebula-nominated short stories, novelettes and novellas that are available online to read for free, and likely at least some of the non-freebies, as part of my current position as editor of the Short Fiction Monday ("SFM") feature on the Fantasy Literature website.
"Today I am Paul" - 4.5 stars. Review first posted at www.FantasyLiterature.com:
An android with medical programming is the primary caretaker of Mildred, an aging woman with dementia. Mildred’s son and granddaughter visit her regularly, but Mildred lives alone in her home. So Mildred’s family ordered a caregiver robot with an expensive “emulation net,” a set of neural networks and feedback systems that allows the robot to closely emulate people in Mildred’s life. When Mildred asks for her son Paul, the robot increases its height, changes its appearance and voice, and pretends to be Paul. When she thinks her granddaughter Anna is visiting, the robot extends its fake hair to its maximum length (which isn’t nearly long enough, but Mildred doesn’t seem to notice): today the robot is Anna.
The android struggles with the conflict between its emulation net, which requires it to act as much as possible like the actual person it is emulating, and its empathy net, which requires it to do and say the things that are best for Mildred. The issue of how we care for our elderly is part of the backdrop of “Today I am Paul”; the makers of the android use the rather unsettling slogan “You can be there for your loved ones even when you’re not.” But at the same time the robot’s emulation ability enables it ― and by extension the reader ― to truly understand and sympathize with the motivations and concerns of Mildred’s relatives.
“Today I am Paul” is a bittersweet and moving exploration, not just of aging and caregiving, but also of the fears that divide us and the relationships that bind us. It's sentimental, but I highly recommend it.
Free online at Clarkesworld magazine.
By the way, another Fantasy Literature reviewer, Bill, also wrote a review of "Today I am Paul" for the SFM feature that was just posted today, which I think is more insightful than my review here. I'm totally jealous, but you should read his review here, as well as some of our other SFF short fiction reviews.
April 7, 2017
Quite interesting short about a robot working as a hospice nurse who happens to exhibit the same symptoms of a bipolar disorder without the violence. :)
Am I a bit weirded out by it? No, not really. But I DO feel a ton of sympathy for the poor robot. I love the idea of the empathy net, however, but my god it does a real number on the robot's mind.
Read in The Best Science Fiction of the Year: Volume One.
Am I a bit weirded out by it? No, not really. But I DO feel a ton of sympathy for the poor robot. I love the idea of the empathy net, however, but my god it does a real number on the robot's mind.
Read in The Best Science Fiction of the Year: Volume One.
June 6, 2016
Here, the author invites us to consider the perspective of a robot designed as a home healthcare aide. The android emulates the family members of an Alzheimer's patient, providing emotional services as well as performing medical tasks. It's a believable projection - and also very sad.
July 21, 2019
I might come back and read the 5 other short stories featured in this instalment of Clarksworld magazine but for now this review ad rating is just for Today I am Paul by Martin L. Shoemaker.
Today I am Paul was the best sort of sci-fi short fiction. It was the kind that imediately grabbed ones attention and sucked them into the story while also being the sort of story that got the balance spot on between the thought-provoking ideas explored within the story and engaging the readers emotions.
This tale was nominated for a 2016 Nebula award and appeared in 4 end of the year best short fiction collections. The nomination and recognition was well deserved in my opinion. I'll have to track down the winning short story from that year as it must have been pretty great to beat this one!
Today I Am Paul follows the tale of an android who cares for an elderly Alzheimer’s patient. As part of its care it pretends to be various members of the woman's family that have come to visit. It mimicks their behavior by studying them when they do visit but its behavioral imitation software is regulated by an empathy back up program to make sure nothing goes awry and the android is always providing the best possible care for its patient. As an added bonus it also did its best to provide comfort to the visiting family members.
I felt like the story was an engaging and poignant one. The ability of the android to analyze the behavior of the family members and mimic them gave us real insight to how they thought and felt. This meant we learned how the situation was effecting not only the android's patient, Millie, but her family as well. I felt that was well done. The other real plus for the story was the fact that the android itself was fairly likeable.
The human tale was an emotionally engaging one as one might expect given the very real subject matter but I felt like the sci-fi elements of the tale were also quite interesting. We live in a world with an ageing population so it is no great leap to think that if androids ever become a real thing then medical ones who care for the elderly like the one in this story would likely be one of the most common uses for them!
All in all I felt like was a good tale, and I'm glad the author decided to expand the idea into a full novel, so I'll definitely give Today I am Carey a go!
Rating: 5 stars.
Audio Note: This was narrated by Kate Baker. I feel like she did a good job performing this story. I listened to this one for free via Clarksworld magazine.
Today I am Paul was the best sort of sci-fi short fiction. It was the kind that imediately grabbed ones attention and sucked them into the story while also being the sort of story that got the balance spot on between the thought-provoking ideas explored within the story and engaging the readers emotions.
This tale was nominated for a 2016 Nebula award and appeared in 4 end of the year best short fiction collections. The nomination and recognition was well deserved in my opinion. I'll have to track down the winning short story from that year as it must have been pretty great to beat this one!
Today I Am Paul follows the tale of an android who cares for an elderly Alzheimer’s patient. As part of its care it pretends to be various members of the woman's family that have come to visit. It mimicks their behavior by studying them when they do visit but its behavioral imitation software is regulated by an empathy back up program to make sure nothing goes awry and the android is always providing the best possible care for its patient. As an added bonus it also did its best to provide comfort to the visiting family members.
I felt like the story was an engaging and poignant one. The ability of the android to analyze the behavior of the family members and mimic them gave us real insight to how they thought and felt. This meant we learned how the situation was effecting not only the android's patient, Millie, but her family as well. I felt that was well done. The other real plus for the story was the fact that the android itself was fairly likeable.
The human tale was an emotionally engaging one as one might expect given the very real subject matter but I felt like the sci-fi elements of the tale were also quite interesting. We live in a world with an ageing population so it is no great leap to think that if androids ever become a real thing then medical ones who care for the elderly like the one in this story would likely be one of the most common uses for them!
All in all I felt like was a good tale, and I'm glad the author decided to expand the idea into a full novel, so I'll definitely give Today I am Carey a go!
Rating: 5 stars.
Audio Note: This was narrated by Kate Baker. I feel like she did a good job performing this story. I listened to this one for free via Clarksworld magazine.
June 2, 2018
3.5 stars. I only read one story in this issue, "The Servant" by Emily Devenport, as I wanted to see how this compared with the full-length novel Medusa Uploaded. The short is pretty good, and provides enough information about Oichi and the situation aboard the generation ship to convince me to check out the novel.
June 20, 2016
4 Android stars!
This story came to me as a part of a Flash readathon in a group read. Sci-fi emboldened with an emotional undercurrent as a droid tries to cope up with the frailing memories of an Alzheimer's patient, this short story is thoroughly engaging.
I liked the way the author showed Mildred's dwindling emotions in the fire accident, oblivious to the danger to her life.
The droid was an interesting character, appearing more humane than one would expect of its species.
"But somewhere in the tension between these nets, between empathy and playing a character, there is a third element balancing the two, and that element is aware of its role and its responsibilities. That element, for lack of a better term, is me."
Overall, a well written piece. Highly recommended.
This story came to me as a part of a Flash readathon in a group read. Sci-fi emboldened with an emotional undercurrent as a droid tries to cope up with the frailing memories of an Alzheimer's patient, this short story is thoroughly engaging.
I liked the way the author showed Mildred's dwindling emotions in the fire accident, oblivious to the danger to her life.
The droid was an interesting character, appearing more humane than one would expect of its species.
"But somewhere in the tension between these nets, between empathy and playing a character, there is a third element balancing the two, and that element is aware of its role and its responsibilities. That element, for lack of a better term, is me."
Overall, a well written piece. Highly recommended.
July 28, 2017
Such a sweet, moving story. One of the few sci-fi stories I have read which focuses solely on the positive aspects of AI, it also explores the importance of family and the impact of loss.
April 15, 2016
This was an incredibly sad short story. It's about an AI who has the ability to alter it's appearance. It's job is to take care of a woman with Alzheimers. It would frequently have to portray one of the woman's family members to prevent her from becoming too agitated and keep her thinking she has family around most of the time. It would be great if this science fiction became fact.
January 12, 2025
God that was heart wrenching.
April 14, 2016
“That third part of me wonders when I think like that.”
A poignant story about a very-possible future with AI android care takers who provide companionship and emotional support for those who suffer dementia. An unintended consequence of this machine’s configuration is that it is aware of itself.
“Where Millie’s slate fills a little more each day Mildred’s is erased bit-by-bit.
Well-conceived and executed from the point of view of the machine. A story that may be prophetic; not all will find comfort in that idea.
A poignant story about a very-possible future with AI android care takers who provide companionship and emotional support for those who suffer dementia. An unintended consequence of this machine’s configuration is that it is aware of itself.
“Where Millie’s slate fills a little more each day Mildred’s is erased bit-by-bit.
Well-conceived and executed from the point of view of the machine. A story that may be prophetic; not all will find comfort in that idea.
February 22, 2017
Very well-written medical SF, from the perspective of a robot who cares for an Alzheimer’s patient. I think this is the best short story I’ve read this year - it’s very absorbing and Shoemaker does a lot with very little. Definitely a deserving Nebula nominee.
Read it here: http://clarkesworldmagazine.com/shoem...
Read it here: http://clarkesworldmagazine.com/shoem...
April 14, 2016
An excellent short story combining limited AI, an android, & an Alzheimer's patient told from the android's point of view. Even so, it manages to be both heart-wrenching & thoughtful. Is this what the future might bring?
Read it for free here:
http://clarkesworldmagazine.com/shoem...
Read it for free here:
http://clarkesworldmagazine.com/shoem...
May 7, 2016
Heavy emotional impact from this short story. As we continue to look down the throat of aging demographics, our technology is going to have to adapt. And so are we. This story has the difficult task of making me look both back and forward, and it nearly manages to pull a tear at the end when that's complete.
September 9, 2017
An android designed to take care of an elderly patient with alzheimer's disease. The android can mimic all of the important people in the patient's life. This is only a short story but it is very touching. Perhaps it is the future. The author draws a good comparison between Millie, the grandchild, and Mildred, the elderly patient. Each day Millie gains a bit and each day Mildred loses a bit. Since we just went through this experience with my 93 year old father-in-law, this short story strikes almost too close to home. It certainly would be nice if there were nurse androids like "Paul" the robot.
September 15, 2023
5 Stars! This review is for “Today I Am Paul” by Martin L. Shoemaker… This short story was shared in my Bookclub. Story linked below. I thought I should definitely check it out since after all, today I am Paul. Actually every day I am Paul. But now today I am also crying. It is an utterly fantastic and heartbreaking story. I loved it! Check it out!
Read: 9/15/23
Text & audio available here:
https://clarkesworldmagazine.com/shoe...
Read: 9/15/23
Text & audio available here:
https://clarkesworldmagazine.com/shoe...
October 23, 2017
Wonderful take in aging, mental instabiliy, and the emotions attached to both via a elderly attendant android.
October 1, 2018
Only Read Today I am Paul out of this entry, was a fascinating read about a robot caring for an woman with Alzheimer's.
June 12, 2024
Read "Today I Am Paul" (5/6/2024)
March 5, 2017
Story of a sensitive robot carer. Shortlisted for the Nebula short story Awards 2016
September 7, 2015
Note: only a review of Today I am Paul
originally posted at: http://thebookplank.blogspot.com/2015...
I guess I got a way of finding stories that are emotional. Today I am Paul mights not have the title of one, but trust me this is one big emotional rollercoaster. Imagine a future where healthcare is provided with androids (and not the Baymax kind). Today I am Paul offers a near future experience in this field.
The story starts of with the question of where Paul is and soon the reply comes. But before that you learn that there is something that can change it's appearance, cheek line and eyes colors etcetera. Completely emulating a person. Meet Medical Care Android BRKCX-01932-217JH-98662, who takes care of the old lady Mildred. As I said this android can emulate, copy cat people. What I could make up of the story is that Mildred has lost some people and is probably suffering from dementia. The family members of Mildred either life not closeby, have busy lives or are dead the sole caretaking fall on Android. But this doesn't come without some tricky bits, as one moment Mildred remembers Paul, her son or Susan her daughter or her husband Henry in a completely different way. It has to switch fast between the persons he is emulating. And more than once it is a close call and the last thing you want to have is a dementing person being up set. Anyway, all is going just as it should be until one terrible day when the house of Mildred burns down and she becomes wounded. Burn marks and smoke inhalation. Android does it's best with taking care of her but has to wait for the paramedics to take Mildred to the hospital. But due to the damage she had suffered in the fire, she is beyond saving. In the continuation of this lies the true beauty of the story and one that you will have to find out by yourself. I must urge you to to completely scroll down to the bottom of the story because that will be a spoiler for you.
I must say that I am very impressed with this short story that Martin L. Schoemaker wrote down. It has a definite coolness factor to it due to the android and the advanced care he is giving. It could well be our next step in modern medicine. HOwever where Today I am Paul gets it's true strength from is the big emotional side of the story. How you see Mildred interaction with the things that she still knows, when she gets upset, it genuinely feels as what it means to be upset. The ending of the story is also a big plus. One that will cause you to wow. I am going to be honest but this is one of the best short stories that I have read so far this year.
Be sure not to miss it on Clarkesworld
originally posted at: http://thebookplank.blogspot.com/2015...
I guess I got a way of finding stories that are emotional. Today I am Paul mights not have the title of one, but trust me this is one big emotional rollercoaster. Imagine a future where healthcare is provided with androids (and not the Baymax kind). Today I am Paul offers a near future experience in this field.
The story starts of with the question of where Paul is and soon the reply comes. But before that you learn that there is something that can change it's appearance, cheek line and eyes colors etcetera. Completely emulating a person. Meet Medical Care Android BRKCX-01932-217JH-98662, who takes care of the old lady Mildred. As I said this android can emulate, copy cat people. What I could make up of the story is that Mildred has lost some people and is probably suffering from dementia. The family members of Mildred either life not closeby, have busy lives or are dead the sole caretaking fall on Android. But this doesn't come without some tricky bits, as one moment Mildred remembers Paul, her son or Susan her daughter or her husband Henry in a completely different way. It has to switch fast between the persons he is emulating. And more than once it is a close call and the last thing you want to have is a dementing person being up set. Anyway, all is going just as it should be until one terrible day when the house of Mildred burns down and she becomes wounded. Burn marks and smoke inhalation. Android does it's best with taking care of her but has to wait for the paramedics to take Mildred to the hospital. But due to the damage she had suffered in the fire, she is beyond saving. In the continuation of this lies the true beauty of the story and one that you will have to find out by yourself. I must urge you to to completely scroll down to the bottom of the story because that will be a spoiler for you.
I must say that I am very impressed with this short story that Martin L. Schoemaker wrote down. It has a definite coolness factor to it due to the android and the advanced care he is giving. It could well be our next step in modern medicine. HOwever where Today I am Paul gets it's true strength from is the big emotional side of the story. How you see Mildred interaction with the things that she still knows, when she gets upset, it genuinely feels as what it means to be upset. The ending of the story is also a big plus. One that will cause you to wow. I am going to be honest but this is one of the best short stories that I have read so far this year.
Be sure not to miss it on Clarkesworld
June 30, 2016
Dementia is heartbreaking to watch in a loved one and incredibly hard to fully comprehend. However, this beautiful and amazing tale forces the issue by confronting and analyzing an elderly woman's growing dementia and the reactions of those around her.
A high-end medical android gains sentience as it's designed to empathize with its Alzheimer's stricken patient, Mildred, and emulate whomever she mistakes the android to be at any given hour. Sometimes, it intuitively becomes whomever she needs it to be at any given point, such as her husband who passed away two years ago. Mildred has no memory of that loss, nor of her 5 y.o. granddaughter that comes to visit. Her older granddaughter Anna is also commonly emulated by the droid. Most often, the droid portrays Mildred's son [and Anna's father], Paul:
Things get trickier when Paul or his wife Susan come around as the droid tries to make everyone calm and happy. But with such a charged situation, the challenge is daunting. Even more challenging, is when a fire breaks out on the lower level of the house--especially with Mildred wary of strangers, the outdoors and emergencies . . .
This story is heartbreaking in its honesty and poignant in its telling as most anyone who's lived with a loved one struggling with dementia will recognize. This tale is highly recommended.
The Year's Best Science Fiction & Fantasy: 2016 edited by Rich Horton, which I received directly from Prime Books. I've previously read this author's "Unrefined".
A high-end medical android gains sentience as it's designed to empathize with its Alzheimer's stricken patient, Mildred, and emulate whomever she mistakes the android to be at any given hour. Sometimes, it intuitively becomes whomever she needs it to be at any given point, such as her husband who passed away two years ago. Mildred has no memory of that loss, nor of her 5 y.o. granddaughter that comes to visit. Her older granddaughter Anna is also commonly emulated by the droid. Most often, the droid portrays Mildred's son [and Anna's father], Paul:
This morning she imagines Paul, so that is who I am.
Synthesizing Paul's voice is the easiest part, thanks to the multimodal dynamic speakers in my throat. "Good morning, Ma. I brought you some flowers." I always bring flowers. Mildred appreciates them no matter whom I am emulating. The flowers make her smile during 87% of my "visits."
"Oh, thank you," Mildred says, "you're such a good son."
Things get trickier when Paul or his wife Susan come around as the droid tries to make everyone calm and happy. But with such a charged situation, the challenge is daunting. Even more challenging, is when a fire breaks out on the lower level of the house--especially with Mildred wary of strangers, the outdoors and emergencies . . .
This story is heartbreaking in its honesty and poignant in its telling as most anyone who's lived with a loved one struggling with dementia will recognize. This tale is highly recommended.
The Year's Best Science Fiction & Fantasy: 2016 edited by Rich Horton, which I received directly from Prime Books. I've previously read this author's "Unrefined".
March 26, 2016
I'm being a bit more intense about tabling stories for later that don't hook me right away. I'm trying to get through all the 2015 Clarkesworlds before 31 March 2016 (for Hugo nominations.) Eep!
"The Servant" by Emily Devenport - 5 stars (14,402 words)
Immersive gorgeous piece; anything I can say would lessen how cool it is. And thanks to it being Novelette-length, I don't have to weigh this work with other candidates. Nominating for Hugo Best Novelette.
"Today I Am Paul" by Martin L. Shoemaker - 4 stars
Thought-provoking piece on sentimental medical bots.
"Security Check" by Han Song (trans. by Ken Liu) - 3 stars
Paranoid dystopian future with "sanitizing" replication. Absolutely loved the use of the phrase "neo-crony-capitalism."
"The Servant" by Emily Devenport - 5 stars (14,402 words)
Immersive gorgeous piece; anything I can say would lessen how cool it is. And thanks to it being Novelette-length, I don't have to weigh this work with other candidates. Nominating for Hugo Best Novelette.
"Today I Am Paul" by Martin L. Shoemaker - 4 stars
Thought-provoking piece on sentimental medical bots.
"Security Check" by Han Song (trans. by Ken Liu) - 3 stars
Paranoid dystopian future with "sanitizing" replication. Absolutely loved the use of the phrase "neo-crony-capitalism."
August 10, 2016
As children, we see soldiers in our parents. Images of strength stay rooted in our minds. On growing up, the receding hairline, stooping shoulders, tired and tormented eyes are signs we choose to ignore because somewhere in our minds, we still hold on to the image of what they were.
But, there are times, when you see that image is crushed, that what is left of them is a shell and all you have are memories to fill into the broken bits to somehow make it seem whole again. Such a phase of life is devastating to say the least.
I have rated this story high because it hit home, so hard. Playing the role of a care-giver is tough. In this story, even if it seems that it is easier for an AI driven machine to fill in the shoes, the psychologically jagged voids that such situations create on the immediate family members (also partly on the AI) is aptly described. I can do more than analyse this story from an emotional standpoint but for now, I will leave it here, with wistful thinking.
Note : Read this as part of a flash readathon by BB book-club. Hence, the micro review.
But, there are times, when you see that image is crushed, that what is left of them is a shell and all you have are memories to fill into the broken bits to somehow make it seem whole again. Such a phase of life is devastating to say the least.
I have rated this story high because it hit home, so hard. Playing the role of a care-giver is tough. In this story, even if it seems that it is easier for an AI driven machine to fill in the shoes, the psychologically jagged voids that such situations create on the immediate family members (also partly on the AI) is aptly described. I can do more than analyse this story from an emotional standpoint but for now, I will leave it here, with wistful thinking.
Note : Read this as part of a flash readathon by BB book-club. Hence, the micro review.
September 6, 2015
Original fiction:
"Today I Am Paul" by Martin L. Shoemaker - I wasn't taken by this android healthcare worker tale at first but it snuck up on me and won me over by the end.
"It Was Educational" by J.B. Park - interesting look at a sim-game of civil unrest.
"Security Check" by Han Song - Not bad but this translated Chinese tale didn't do much for me. I didn't buy the "crazy America choose security over everything else" premise.
"The Servant" by Emily Devenport - this novelette is my favorite story of the issue. Oppression by the elites on a generation ship. Expand this into a novel/series please!!
Non-fiction:
Mark Cole contributes a fascinating article on Campbell's influence on the use of the idea of "psionics" in SF. Emily Devenport's Another Word column talks about the ways that zombie stories can be hopeful and not hopeless. (Even if Clarkesworld itself is still anti-zombie)
"Today I Am Paul" by Martin L. Shoemaker - I wasn't taken by this android healthcare worker tale at first but it snuck up on me and won me over by the end.
"It Was Educational" by J.B. Park - interesting look at a sim-game of civil unrest.
"Security Check" by Han Song - Not bad but this translated Chinese tale didn't do much for me. I didn't buy the "crazy America choose security over everything else" premise.
"The Servant" by Emily Devenport - this novelette is my favorite story of the issue. Oppression by the elites on a generation ship. Expand this into a novel/series please!!
Non-fiction:
Mark Cole contributes a fascinating article on Campbell's influence on the use of the idea of "psionics" in SF. Emily Devenport's Another Word column talks about the ways that zombie stories can be hopeful and not hopeless. (Even if Clarkesworld itself is still anti-zombie)
June 2, 2022
It was very moving. It explored human consciousness and its limits, as well as family relationships. Family members who have given up caring for an alzheimer’s mother in person, and hired a robot who can emulate different family members. Highly unethical in my opinion, but the way the story is written is still so heartfelt. These are not cruel and heartless individuals.
The story also explores the consciousness of the robot. With an empathy net, it can experience the emotions of the other human beings. By the end of the story, I almost agree that this robot fulfills the emotional needs of the family, if that were even possible.
The story also explores the consciousness of the robot. With an empathy net, it can experience the emotions of the other human beings. By the end of the story, I almost agree that this robot fulfills the emotional needs of the family, if that were even possible.
January 27, 2023
My comments for short story:
Today I Am Paul by Martin L. Shoemaker
Read Dec 2020
An excellent story. I think this is one of the more plausible portraits of high level robots/androids of the future. It is two very important points that seems to have taken a long time: Robot may (likely will) have other values than humans. Robots can have other value without being evil.
Nothing much happens in the story. It is character driven story. However, not human character. Well done.
Today I Am Paul by Martin L. Shoemaker
Read Dec 2020
An excellent story. I think this is one of the more plausible portraits of high level robots/androids of the future. It is two very important points that seems to have taken a long time: Robot may (likely will) have other values than humans. Robots can have other value without being evil.
Nothing much happens in the story. It is character driven story. However, not human character. Well done.
July 23, 2021
this story was sweet but very sad. i didn’t like that the son, paul, rarely visited his mother and didn’t feel bad about that. reading about dementia and aging in that way hits hard. i also thought it was really interesting to read from the viewpoint of an AI — not something i’ve seen done very often. the theory around the development of the AI’s consciousness and motivations was also really interesting to read.
October 18, 2018
Review for “Today I Am Paul” by Martin L. Shoemaker
An android caretaker's PoV about his mission to care for an elderly - sounds like a real possibility for the future, especially as I think that people would be much more inclined to entrust their elderly to "a robot" than their children.
There are some similarities with Asimov's Robbie, which I also deeply enjoyed.
An android caretaker's PoV about his mission to care for an elderly - sounds like a real possibility for the future, especially as I think that people would be much more inclined to entrust their elderly to "a robot" than their children.
There are some similarities with Asimov's Robbie, which I also deeply enjoyed.
May 18, 2016
3,5/5
Un relato sobre IA, Alzheimher y la consciencia. Contado desde el punto de vista de una IA médica y como se encarga de cuidar los últimos momentos de varios humanos, emulando sus personalidades para los enfermos. Muy interesantes y me ha recordado al Hombre bicentenario, de Asimov (guardando las distancias, claro)
Un relato sobre IA, Alzheimher y la consciencia. Contado desde el punto de vista de una IA médica y como se encarga de cuidar los últimos momentos de varios humanos, emulando sus personalidades para los enfermos. Muy interesantes y me ha recordado al Hombre bicentenario, de Asimov (guardando las distancias, claro)
September 2, 2015
Some fun sf stories in this issue. The types of stories were pretty standard, but in most cases the settings and characters made them engaging and interesting. I enjoyed the articles and interview, too.
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