I loved it. I completely agree that social media will bring forth the downfall of America. The alien twist at the end was cool. I love dystopian sci-fi
I loved it, Scott. I find new sci-fi fiction such as yours to be a blessed anodyne in our troubled days. You distance us from our dour present tenses, and I need all of this kinda help that I can get!
One critique for A History Lesson is that other than names, the characters were impossible to tell apart. Even in such a short piece, a change in voice helps/
Or, it's also possible that whatever language they're speaking has a highly developed formal way of speaking under certain circumstances. Sort of a "galactic standard" that all humans/cetaceans speak but when speaking their own languages there would be more variation or when speaking an informal version of that same language under different circumstances.
I do basically say what species the teacher is, though it's easy to miss:
"My species is recognized as self-aware, and we have discovered and made a compact with one other non-human and non-cetacean species."
It's an homage to Douglas Adams. ;-)
"The dolphins are the second most intelligent species on the planet Earth, only surpassed by mice, although many outside observers don't know about the mice."
I loved it. I completely agree that social media will bring forth the downfall of America. The alien twist at the end was cool. I love dystopian sci-fi
I guess this was more utopian sci-fi but that would be a value judgement
Definitely. We'd need to see more of the universe before making that call. Glad you enjoyed it!
I loved it, Scott. I find new sci-fi fiction such as yours to be a blessed anodyne in our troubled days. You distance us from our dour present tenses, and I need all of this kinda help that I can get!
Thanks! Usually my social commentary is a little less... obvious, but this was something screaming to be written.
One critique for A History Lesson is that other than names, the characters were impossible to tell apart. Even in such a short piece, a change in voice helps/
Fair play. I appreciate it.
S'funny: I have a short story I have to edit again (fifth draft... sigh) because a few of my minor characters have the same critique.
It's an easy trap to fall into.
Maybe we’re not supposed to be able to tell them apart because by then humans have lost all sense of individuality.
Or, it's also possible that whatever language they're speaking has a highly developed formal way of speaking under certain circumstances. Sort of a "galactic standard" that all humans/cetaceans speak but when speaking their own languages there would be more variation or when speaking an informal version of that same language under different circumstances.
Haha! A "Galactic Standard". That's it.
I loved the fact that school and studying is still a thing.
Thanks! Yeah, I may develop this world more and think about what's happened in the intervening hundred fifty years or so between now and then.
No worries. I appreciate the feedback. If I decide to make a longer version of this story or do a rewrite, the teacher's species will be more clear.
I do basically say what species the teacher is, though it's easy to miss:
"My species is recognized as self-aware, and we have discovered and made a compact with one other non-human and non-cetacean species."
It's an homage to Douglas Adams. ;-)
"The dolphins are the second most intelligent species on the planet Earth, only surpassed by mice, although many outside observers don't know about the mice."
Oh, I see! I missed it too.