Machines Like Me

by Ian McEwan

I wanted him now, and so did Miranda. Like eager young parents, we were avid for his first words.

The future kept arriving. Our bright new toys began to rust before we could get them home, and life went on much as before.

“I was saying that those who believe in the afterlife will never be disappointed.” “You mean, if they’re wrong they’ll never know about it.”

The present is the frailest of improbable constructs. It could have been different. Any part of it, or all of it, could be otherwise.

Then, out of nowhere, he said, “From a certain point of view, the only solution to suffering would be the complete extinction of humankind.”

But I decided to join in. “It’s been said that killing everyone would be a cure for cancer. Utilitarianism can be logically absurd.”

As Schopenhauer said about free will, you can choose whatever you desire, but you’re not free to choose your desires.

But a mood could be a roll of the dice. Chemical roulette.

a quotation from Raymond Williams: “There are…no masses, only ways of seeing people as masses.”

I had nothing of my own to defend against a child. His existence would obliterate mine.

It’s about machines like me and people like you and our future together…the sadness that’s to come. It will happen. With improvements over time…we’ll surpass you…and outlast you…even as we love you. Believe me, these lines express no triumph…Only regret.”