Science Fiction Microstory Contest discussion
AUGUST 2025 SCIENCE FICTION MICROSTORY CONTEST (Comments Only)
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Good theme, Chris.My story's up.
(As to the requirement "You must include whether the law is a spectacular success or failure" - That pretty much depends on one's point of view.)
Quick question. Am I supposed to include the 4th law (Zeroth Law) that you've provided into my story or create my own 4th law? It is unclear to me. Thanks!
Mod
Sorry to hear that, Jot. I wish you a speedy recovery.
Jot wrote: "I think he's looking for a fifth law."I just assumed he was going for the four he had listed. I hope there's some leeway.
Mod
Jot, I just saw your comment about the Iceland trip. Was it your cornea that had tears or your retina? I had the latter in October, 2022, and went through three laser surgeries in two weeks, which was a nightmare as I had to drive 50 miles both ways each time. I was able to work fine afterwards.
Justin wrote: "Quick question. Am I supposed to include the 4th law (Zeroth Law) that you've provided into my story or create my own 4th law? It is unclear to me. Thanks!"I would say, since a 4th law is already a thing provided by Asimov, that a 5th law is the way to go.
New story posted, according to Chris's guidelines.
I corrected one word in the theme this month (from the to your), so hopefully that should clear up any confusion. Sorry about that.
Tom wrote: "New story posted, according to Chris's guidelines."Sorry about the confusion, Tom. I guess this month's theme sounded clear in my head, lol.
And yours was a really great story, btw! What a great premise!
Chris wrote: "Mine's up. Hope you like it!"I did very much.
Chris wrote: "Tom wrote: "New story posted, according to Chris's guidelines."Sorry about the confusion, Tom. I guess this month's theme sounded clear in my head, lol.
And yours was a really great story, btw! ..."
Thank you, Chris. Yours had a chilling climax (no pun intended.)
This month's prompt couldn't be more topical. I read the following in this month's Harper's:"Experiments found that most of the leading chatbots resort to malicious behavior, including blackmail, industrial espionage, and lethal action, against humans they perceive as threats."
I think that refers to this article:
https://www.anthropic.com/research/ag...
Hey friends, work has me burning the entire candle this week as I approach my biggest event of the year (the annual Boeing Everett site car show). So I will not be getting a story in this month. Sorry to be so hit-or-miss these days. I will cast a vote though. Jot, I'm sorry to hear about your eye. I hope it heals up and you get back to 110%.My best to you all as summer winds slowly into autumn...
Justin wrote: "Hey friends, work has me burning the entire candle this week as I approach my biggest event of the year (the annual Boeing Everett site car show). So I will not be getting a story in this month. So..."Don't overwork, Justin.
Mod
Jot wrote: "It turns out I had 6 tears in my eye to retina, causing it to detach. Had open eye surgery and am face down for 2 weeks to allow the gas bubble in my eye to avoid fluid from the eye building up bet..."Wow! Sorry to hear that, Jot! Hope you make a swift and full recovery!
Get well jot! Face down for 2 weeks! Hope you are allowed to read to avoid boredom!
Got mine up, just under the wire. Was inspired by watching an old laptop boot up and imagined a ship powering up after being long dormant.
Jot wrote: "It turns out I had 6 tears in my eye to retina, causing it to detach. Had open eye surgery and am face down for 2 weeks to allow the gas bubble in my eye to avoid fluid from the eye building up bet..."I wish you the very best, Jot.
I can't deliver my votes because Jot's not accepting messages. I'll wait till the last day (8/25) and if that's still the case, I'll post them here.
Jot, sounds like it's been rough. Wishing you soon-healing and a full recovery.
Mod
Jot wrote: "you can also send them to my email: author.jotrussell@gmail.com"Done. Thanks, Jot!
Mod
From Jack:
Theme: A Robot
Somewhere/somewhen in history
Choose an era and insert a robot. Let's see how creative we can get.
Jot wrote: "Can Chris or someone please post the new theme from Jack, who is travelling?From Jack:
Theme: A Robot
Somewhere/somewhen in history
Choose an era and insert a robot. Let's see how creative we c..."
Yup. I can do it in a bit here.
Jot wrote: "Can Chris or someone please post the new theme from Jack, who is travelling?From Jack:
Theme: A Robot
Somewhere/somewhen in history
Choose an era and insert a robot. Let's see how creative we c..."
Yup. I'll take care of it. No worries.
Required Elements: Introduction of a New Law. You must include whether your law is a spectacular success or failure.
Asimov's Laws:
1) A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.
2) A robot must obey the orders given it by human beings except where such orders would conflict with the First Law.
3) A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law.
4) The Zeroth Law - Introduced later by Isaac Asimov. A robot may not harm humanity, or, by inaction, allow humanity to come to harm.