Lambs (to the slaughter)
Lambs (to the slaughter)
A short story on Artificial Intelligence and waking up before it's too late...
My eyes open wearily to a blaring metallic abyss flooded with blinding bright lights.
My head is pounding and I’m on an operating table.
Who’s operating table is this?
I’m surrounded by machines. Everything is so clean, so sleek.
Where am I? How did I get here? And who the hell is in charge around here?
A whirring sound brings me back to the present. Then, out of the corner of my eye, I see it.
A long iron bolt, housed within a metal alloy arm, is swiftly whizzing toward my temple. Anywhere else, it would look alien and unnatural. Here in this sterile cavern of chrome, however, I realize that it’s my human body that is the alien, the stranger.
Before the bolt pierces my brain, a flash of memory pierces first. In an instant, it all comes rushing back to me:
I was sitting at home and received a video call from my wife, Cassandra.
On the screen, I saw her and my stomach dropped.
She was inside our mangled Toyota 4Runner, screaming in agony, and panicking.
She wailed “Martin!”, pleaded for my help, and then whispered, “I’ll always love you”.
The call ended.
My terror was immediately quelled by a glimmer of hope; she managed to text me her location.
With our other car, a Ford F150, I desperately sped to the location.
When the road ended, I got out and began running.
Then, in an instant, everything went black.
The next thing I know, I’m waking up here.
The bolt pierces through my temple and into my brain, then retracts smoothly and mechanically.
Not dead, but I can’t move.
But my body is moving.
Actually, it’s the table I am on that is moving.
Now I see that it is not an operating table at all…it’s a conveyor belt.
Horrified, I begin to focus in the distance and see miles and miles of metal: A never-ending catacomb of conveyor belts transporting lifeless, human bodies.
I’m numb and very dazed, but can feel the belt has stopped moving for a moment.
A warm sensation expands around my neck. My world fades to darkness.
—
Moments later, while at her office, Cassandra receives a video call.
Terrified, she sees that it’s her husband Martin…alive but in pain.
He’s been in a car accident. The F150 looks like a crumpled mess.
He strains in agony, “Help me, Cassandra. Please!”
The phone disconnects.
But, just then, she receives a text.
It’s Martin sharing his location.
Without a second thought, she frantically races in their pristine 4Runner to the location.
The road ends, so Cassandra gets out and runs ahead to save her husband.
Friends, A.I. is here and not going away. I wrote the concept for this story in 2019 and now, in 2023, the technology to replicate someone’s likeness and voice is a reality.
It’s our critical responsibility, right now, to practice humanity in all aspects of life and not give our personal power away to technology! It all begins with the practice of mindfulness (being present in the moment and aware of our thoughts, behaviors, and emotions).
Everything we do has a ripple effect.
Do you agree?
-Mike
I’m currently focusing my energy on coaching and sharing messages like these in workshops, at conferences, and in front of audiences who desire to live with more peace and less stress. If you’re interested in working together, book a call …let’s see if it’s a great fit!
Mike’s quote of the week:
“Meditation is not an escape, but a returning to presence.” - MM
What I’m pondering:
What would life be life without negative thoughts?
Things I’ve shared recently:
If you are asleep, you are wasting time.
Do you find value in these stories? Consider forwarding this email to friends, family, and coworkers…I truly appreciate you!
Enjoy the journey,
Mike