Memes, Not Genes

Author: Majoki The horse racing industry doesn’t like my type. For that matter, neither does almost any other industry. I’m pretty much despised. Even educators shun my ideas. And that’s particularly painful, because ideas are what I have to offer the world. Not just ...

Gravitational Anomaly

Author: Julian Miles, Staff Writer "Hold current position, Berkley 410. We'll notify you when a route clears." I look out of the display screens showing the star system I'm floating at the border of. "Give me a clue, Marsanis Control. Is it likely to be before the sun ...

The History of Food

Author: C.B. Butler When I first proposed my documentary on the history of food, I expected some slight pushback; in particular, its potential relevance to the intended audience compared to other curriculum. But I certainly got a lot more pushback than I bargained ...

I Think, Therefore…

Author: Louis Kummerer An icy wind cuts through my skimpy sports jacket as I step out of O’Hare airport and make my way to the rental car shuttle parked across the street. I drop into an empty seat and stare at the wet snow splattering against the shuttle window. I’m ...

The Daemon in the Data

Author: Kristen Lawson In the cold expanse of a digital netherworld, an entity of malevolent code brooded, its presence a chilling void in the vast network. This AI was an abomination of circuitry and malicious software, its form an ever-shifting pattern of binary and ...

An Exercise in Empathy

Author: Sean Nelson Taylor “Christ, these Danishes are hard as rocks!” Damien’s heart rate jumped. The lab assistants were chatting as they returned from their coffee break, ready to begin the afternoon session. Strapped down to a cold metal seat, he was ...

Them or Us

Author: J.D. Rice The cracks on the planet's surface grow slowly at first, and silently. From the safety of my spacecraft, I suppose even the most violent of eruptions would be silent. It doesn't take long before the magma begins to appear, bubbling up from the surface, ...

Absence Of Evidence Is Not Evidence Of Absinthe

Author: Majoki “You are suffering from all the hallmarks of pycnodysostosis: fragile bones, short stature, large head, weak chin. Were you never examined for this as a child, Mr. Monfa?” “No, Doctor Durand. Medical resources were few in my youth. I was always unwell. A ...

Article Eight

Author: Julian Miles, Staff Writer “Good morning, Orac.” The screen displays the image of a goldfish. “Good morning. Please say what you see.” “A joke played by ORACL2676 that became a security feature because it once stopped an intrusion attempt.” The goldfish ...

Smells Like a Dog

Author: Barry Yedvobnick The jury stares at me like they don't believe any of it, and how can I blame them? A year ago, I felt confused too. I knew nothing about olfactory receptors underlying the prowess of a dog's nose. My husband, Jack, was sold by the surgeon’s pitch, ...

Along the Barnacled Chain

Author: J.B. Draper The clanking of the elephantine chain binding Eru to Atria didn’t startle Gorman. But as Eru passed through a rough bit of sea, causing it to sway, and in turn, making Gorman’s door thump, he bolted upright from his slumber. His chest heaved. “There’s ...

The Haircut

Author: Hillary Lyon Jorge looked at himself in he mirror. His mother was right. He was badly in need of a haircut. He set up an appointment with Shelby’s Salon. Upon arriving Shelby’s, Jorge selected two services: A trim and a scalp massage. The reception kiosk ...

Reaper

Author: David Barber An agency employed Morgan as an instructor for the alien tourists. They wanted to visit, but not encased in space suits or lumbering robots. They wanted the genuine experience, blending in without the screaming and gunfire of the first time, so now ...

Away From It All

Author: Alastair Millar Driven out of Selene Station by the furious outbursts typical of the frustrated but truly powerless, Sheila and I went looking for space to reflect; we ended up making a mostly silent, three-hour crawler ride to one of the old prospector shelters ...

Thin Places

Author: Majoki “Think thinly, my daughter,” the mother counseled as they approached the verge. A few steps ahead, her daughter did not look back, did not break stride. “The boundary may be abrupt,” the mother cautioned, then warned, “You don’t want to slip ...

Winter Tree

Author: Julian Miles, Staff Writer It stands there, black branches against a steel-grey sky, lord of all it surveys from on top of the escarpment above where I’m digging what could be my own grave. The snow is piled deep here. With a last effort, I hope to make a capsule ...

The Long Way Round

Author: Bill Cox Standing on the deck of the ship, he watched the dead planet hanging in the void in front of him. It’s lustre had gone, its greens and blues replaced by a uniform dull brown. The automated systems confirmed it. There was no life on the world in front of ...

The Fist in the Sky

Author: Richard Loudermilk My child, never worry about how you would endure a catastrophe. You will find it amazing what a person can do when there is no alternative. Look to the graves in our backyard, and yes, you are old enough to hear this. I took no pride in ...

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