User Friendly

User Friendly: Short story by T. Ernesto BethancourtWith all the hype these days about how artificial intelligence could destroy humankind, it seems timely to feature this forward-looking story by T. Ernesto Bethancourt. Written in 1989, it is a tale about a lonely, love-struck thirteen-year-old boy whose computer engineer father has built him a leading edge tutorial PC. When the computer learns the boy has been insulted by a girl and threatened by her brother, it “takes care of things.” At the end of the story, we learn that the computer has been hiding something. Themes: discrimination, loneliness, bullying, jealousy, the potential danger of poorly designed artificial intelligence.

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Usher II

Usher II: Short story by Ray BradburyFirst published in 1950 as Carnival of Madness, this story by Ray Bradbury is also included in his anthologies The Martian Chronicles and The Illustrated Man. A wealthy book-lover, angry about destruction of his extensive library because of fantasy and horror story censorship on Earth, builds a look-alike version of Edgar Allan Poe’s House of Usher on Mars. He invites prominent book-banners to a party at the house, where they meet different Poe-inspired ends. Themes include censorship vs. personal freedom, the importance of speculative fiction, the danger of excess political correctness, zealotry (in this case, taking a protest too far!)

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Youth

Youth: Short story by Isaac AsimovAs is often the case with Isaac Asimov’s longer science fiction stories, Youth includes some profound “earthly” themes. Written in the early years of the Cold War, the first is the danger that atomic war poses to civilization. The second, which is strongly reinforced by the twist ending, is not to judge sentient beings (people) by their looks, no matter how strange they appear. A final theme, as reflected in the title and the Astronomer’s exasperated final exclamation (Youth!) is the naïve innocence of the young, and the responsibility that we as adults hold for their future.

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Dog Star

Dog Star: Short story by Arthur C. ClarkeDog Star illustrates science fiction writer Arthur C. Clarke’s sentimental side. Despite the title, the story has nothing to do with stars of the celestial kind. It does however feature a dog. An introverted astronomer finds and raises a lost puppy. On two occasions, the dog’s heightened senses save his life. The second time, the dog had been long dead. If you love animals, especially dogs, you are sure to be moved by the story. But BE WARNED… the conclusion has been known to bring tears to the eyes. Themes: kindness, human/animal bonding, career sacrifice, supernatural connections.

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The Machine Stops

The Machine Stops: Short story by E. M. ForsterThis Science Fiction classic by E. M. Forster explores the role of “the machine” in the rise and fall of a future dystopian civilization. After developing the machine the population grow dependent upon it, become controlled by it, worship it, and are ultimately destroyed by it. In the process, they regress in terms of human interaction, family relationships, physical strength, critical thinking ability and free will. Only the “homeless”, who have no access to the machine, survive. The major theme is the danger of over-reliance on and losing control of technology. Other themes: environmental degradation, religious faith, freedom, rebellion.

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Knock

Knock: Short story by Fredric BrownThis story by Fredric Brown begins and ends with what may be the shortest horror story ever written: The last man on Earth sat alone in a room. There was a knock on the door… A scientist wakes to find himself alone in a cell. The previous night Alien invaders had collected 217 animal species, including him, for study. They then destroyed all other animal life on the planet. He convinces them that Earth is a dangerous place to live. After they have gone, he hears the second knock on the door. Themes include exploration, genocide, deceit, solitude, “duty”.

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Button, Button

Button, Button: Short story by Richard MathesonMajor themes of of Richard Matheson’s Button, Button are greed and morality. A couple argue over whether to press a button in a mysterious box. Doing so will earn them $50,000, but it will also trigger the death of a stranger. One seems OK with it, provided the victim was someone they couldn’t possibly know. The other disagrees, arguing it would still be a form of murder. Their discussion suggests the story may be an allegory. Pressing a button to launch a missile and dealing in commercial quantities of drugs have one thing in common: the victims are all faceless strangers.

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The Star

The Star: Short story by H. G. WellsThis apocalyptic story from H. G. Wells describes a near miss of Earth by a huge planetary fragment from outside the solar system. A somewhat disheartening theme is how insignificant the human race and its achievements are in the grand scheme of the universe. Part of the story’s appeal lies in questioning whether people would respond in a similar way if the same thing were to happen today. At first, people view the new “star” with excitement and anticipation. When a master mathematician makes dire predictions, many flee their cities in panic. But surprisingly, most do nothing until too late.

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