Miscellaneous stories
Viewing comments for Chapter 3 "The survey"Fiction and non-fiction prose
17 total reviews
Comment from Santiago2
Pure fantasy. I know this because recently an esteemed US politician held up a snowball on the Senate floor to demonstrate that climate warming is a hoax. And Fox News just did a study that proved it. By the way, the same study showed that vaccinations are the leading cause of autism. Obviously, you are uninformed.
reply by the author on 16-Feb-2019
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Pure fantasy. I know this because recently an esteemed US politician held up a snowball on the Senate floor to demonstrate that climate warming is a hoax. And Fox News just did a study that proved it. By the way, the same study showed that vaccinations are the leading cause of autism. Obviously, you are uninformed.
Comment Written 15-Feb-2019
reply by the author on 16-Feb-2019
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I don't know how I could have got it so wrong. If Fox News says it's so, it must be so. I can't think of a more reliable source, unless it's Breitbart or Infowars. Thank you for taking pity on me :) Cheers, Craig
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Not to mention the president of the US. Do you really think he would perpetrate a lie?
Comment from Sandra du Plessis
A very well-written hundred flash fiction of the very short time we have to save our home, the problem is there no one having the ability to save anyone before the end is coming.
reply by the author on 15-Feb-2019
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A very well-written hundred flash fiction of the very short time we have to save our home, the problem is there no one having the ability to save anyone before the end is coming.
Comment Written 15-Feb-2019
reply by the author on 15-Feb-2019
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Sadly, I suspect you're right, Sandra. Many thanks, Craig
Comment from --Turtle.
Hi, Craig,
I read and enjoyed this sound 100 word story that sums up the grim numbers to paint an end conclusion of a shame and bone-headedness... the dog who pees in his waterbowl; a science fiction with hardcore elements to craft a believable scene... aliens passing by, acknowledging the facts with only the single passing observation of... well, clearly non-intelligence is strong at work here.
Clean, concise, easy to read and provokes the heavy sigh of why can't we be smarter as a species group?
reply by the author on 13-Feb-2019
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Hi, Craig,
I read and enjoyed this sound 100 word story that sums up the grim numbers to paint an end conclusion of a shame and bone-headedness... the dog who pees in his waterbowl; a science fiction with hardcore elements to craft a believable scene... aliens passing by, acknowledging the facts with only the single passing observation of... well, clearly non-intelligence is strong at work here.
Clean, concise, easy to read and provokes the heavy sigh of why can't we be smarter as a species group?
Comment Written 13-Feb-2019
reply by the author on 13-Feb-2019
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Thanks for the great review, Turtle. That's a couple of less than uplifting pieces in a row, so today I thought I'd try and post something a bit less depressing :) Most grateful, as always -- Craig
Comment from Gloria ....
Well, well, well, aren't we the harbinger of good news. Problem is you are most likely correct in your assessment. Is intelligence a prerequisite to life I wonder? I think perhaps we have understood incorrectly the meaning of intelligence.
Great job friend Craig and I wish you much luck with the Contest Committee is we survive the mass-extinction event.
Enjoyed very much.
Gloria
reply by the author on 13-Feb-2019
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Well, well, well, aren't we the harbinger of good news. Problem is you are most likely correct in your assessment. Is intelligence a prerequisite to life I wonder? I think perhaps we have understood incorrectly the meaning of intelligence.
Great job friend Craig and I wish you much luck with the Contest Committee is we survive the mass-extinction event.
Enjoyed very much.
Gloria
Comment Written 13-Feb-2019
reply by the author on 13-Feb-2019
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Yes, I know, a spreader of light and happiness ;-) I tried to make amends with today's post :) Many thanks, Gloria.
Comment from Jannypan (Jan)
You did a great job, Craig, with your contest entry. I enjoyed reading it. I understand all the implications mentioned about the current state of our planet. This reminded me of the original Star Trek tv series--which I loved and still do. I could see/hear Mr. Spock speaking these words. Great job and best wishes to win the contest. What have we learned in the last 50 years? Nothing--only that man's greed has gotten bigger while Earth's life sustaining forces are quickly disappearing along with many species because of man. Jan
reply by the author on 13-Feb-2019
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You did a great job, Craig, with your contest entry. I enjoyed reading it. I understand all the implications mentioned about the current state of our planet. This reminded me of the original Star Trek tv series--which I loved and still do. I could see/hear Mr. Spock speaking these words. Great job and best wishes to win the contest. What have we learned in the last 50 years? Nothing--only that man's greed has gotten bigger while Earth's life sustaining forces are quickly disappearing along with many species because of man. Jan
Comment Written 13-Feb-2019
reply by the author on 13-Feb-2019
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I have the entire original series on DVD, and yes, I have to admit, images from the bridge flashed through my mind as I wrote this. It was a great show. Sadly, it seems that the majority of the population of our little planet, even if they accept the gravity of our situation, don't have the will to do anything about it. Thanks so much for the wonderful review, Jan. It's very much appreciated -- Craig
Comment from bichonfrisegirl
Hi Craig,
This is a scenario we can all hope to NEVER witness. "Going ... going ... gone." Yikes! "signs of intelligent life, minimal" ... luv this!! This is a most original offering for the contest.
Well done, Craig. Best wishes for the contest.
Cheers,
Connie
reply by the author on 13-Feb-2019
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Hi Craig,
This is a scenario we can all hope to NEVER witness. "Going ... going ... gone." Yikes! "signs of intelligent life, minimal" ... luv this!! This is a most original offering for the contest.
Well done, Craig. Best wishes for the contest.
Cheers,
Connie
Comment Written 12-Feb-2019
reply by the author on 13-Feb-2019
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Thanks so much for the lovely review, Connie. I'm glad you enjoyed, and thanks, too, for the good wishes :) Craig
Comment from Debbie Pope
Everyone is dying on flash fiction today, but their stories don't hold a candle to yours, Craig. You have the entire universe dying. You know I take an ostrich approach to life. If I don't read about it, it can't hurt me.
This is actually so well done. I felt as though I was in a space ship taking the measurements. I like your use of color to indicate oncoming extinction. Greys and browns predominate. Not much green left.
My baby daughter will be moving to Seattle soon (probably) to start her psychiatry residency. The only reason that she is not excited is because she is afraid that Seattle will be hit by a terrible tsunami. It has been predicted for years. It's a shame we have to worry about such things out of our control.
I'm out of six stars or I have awarded this poem one for realism.
reply by the author on 12-Feb-2019
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Everyone is dying on flash fiction today, but their stories don't hold a candle to yours, Craig. You have the entire universe dying. You know I take an ostrich approach to life. If I don't read about it, it can't hurt me.
This is actually so well done. I felt as though I was in a space ship taking the measurements. I like your use of color to indicate oncoming extinction. Greys and browns predominate. Not much green left.
My baby daughter will be moving to Seattle soon (probably) to start her psychiatry residency. The only reason that she is not excited is because she is afraid that Seattle will be hit by a terrible tsunami. It has been predicted for years. It's a shame we have to worry about such things out of our control.
I'm out of six stars or I have awarded this poem one for realism.
Comment Written 12-Feb-2019
reply by the author on 12-Feb-2019
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I laughed at the "entire universe dying" comment. You know I don't like to do things by halves! Actually, it's not really a laughing matter.
I'm sorry to be the harbinger of doom, yet again. I'll try for something more upbeat next post :)
I hope the predictions are wrong, and your baby girl enjoys a wonderful time in Seattle. It's supposed to be the American city most like my old stomping grounds, Sydney.
Many thanks, Debbie :)
Craig
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When I am not fond of Seattle yet. I'll change if she ends up there. They can't even find a decent place to live that is on public transportation. And I hear that you don't want to drive in Seattle.
It's lovely. I'll give it that. Sydney must be gorgeous.
Comment from Scarbrems
Welcome to this side of the fence, Sir. The thing about good sci-fi is that it is always the ultimate extrapolation of actual reality. It's a great tool for 'alienation', that is taking what we see every day and therefore don't notice, and transplanting it somewhere 'alien' thus forcing us to actually LOOK at it. In this case, you've literally offered us the 'alien' perspective, from the outside looking in. And it is chilling. Well penned, my friend.
reply by the author on 12-Feb-2019
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Welcome to this side of the fence, Sir. The thing about good sci-fi is that it is always the ultimate extrapolation of actual reality. It's a great tool for 'alienation', that is taking what we see every day and therefore don't notice, and transplanting it somewhere 'alien' thus forcing us to actually LOOK at it. In this case, you've literally offered us the 'alien' perspective, from the outside looking in. And it is chilling. Well penned, my friend.
Comment Written 12-Feb-2019
reply by the author on 12-Feb-2019
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Thanks very much for the lovely comments, Emma. Much appreciated :)
Craig
Comment from lyenochka
Enjoyed your reference to that well known sci-fi - I only know the movie, not the book. Yes, I guess many would agree that "Signs of intelligent life, minimal." Lol.
I always found it funny that the message ended with 'nikto' which is Russian for 'nobody.'
You've mastered the robotic speech perfectly. Your prediction about the future is possible. But on the other hand, they are now finding species that they thought were once extinct and even new ones that they never knew about. So I'm holding out hope. But it's okay if they pass us and go to Sol91.
reply by the author on 12-Feb-2019
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Enjoyed your reference to that well known sci-fi - I only know the movie, not the book. Yes, I guess many would agree that "Signs of intelligent life, minimal." Lol.
I always found it funny that the message ended with 'nikto' which is Russian for 'nobody.'
You've mastered the robotic speech perfectly. Your prediction about the future is possible. But on the other hand, they are now finding species that they thought were once extinct and even new ones that they never knew about. So I'm holding out hope. But it's okay if they pass us and go to Sol91.
Comment Written 12-Feb-2019
reply by the author on 12-Feb-2019
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It would be fun if "barada" translated in some language to "trust" or "harm", but I can't find any evidence of that. Thanks for the kind words and fun comments, Helen.
Comment from BeasPeas
Hi Craig. Maybe the bots will be the only intelligent life form. The Mayan calendar has touted the cycles. Some say it means "the end" and other's say it's a perpetual calendar that just starts the cycles over again. Who knows. For sure we are living life on the edge. Good little story. Much luck in the contest. Marilyn
reply by the author on 12-Feb-2019
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Hi Craig. Maybe the bots will be the only intelligent life form. The Mayan calendar has touted the cycles. Some say it means "the end" and other's say it's a perpetual calendar that just starts the cycles over again. Who knows. For sure we are living life on the edge. Good little story. Much luck in the contest. Marilyn
Comment Written 12-Feb-2019
reply by the author on 12-Feb-2019
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I actually think most mammals display reasonable intelligence - just not us. Many thanks, Marilyn.
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I agree.