The Error 451 Algorithm: A Scifi Short Story

by Cathy Smith

Siri Appleton’s fandom becomes a vehicle for free speech. Siri is a data analyst for an automated thought police mechanism. She provides technical support for the Intelligence Bureau's Error 451 Algorithm. A re-edited classic TV show introduces her to culture warriors when she's assigned to monitor it. Does becoming a fan of the show mean she’s become radicalized? Will she report them or become their ally?

17 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 25, 2020

About the author

My name, “Cathy Smith”, sounds like white bread, but I’m Mohawk and I write so I use “Khiatons” which means “I’m a writer.” in Mohawk. I love myths and see modern fantasy and scifi as modern myths. I read trending articles on science, technology and health so my stories end up being more grounded than expected with mundane details bleeding into the fantastic. I believe this approach is the traditional outlook of my people so I’m carrying on their storytelling tradition in my own way.