Pixabay image by Brigitte Werner
Defining Human
by D. Wallace Peach
“I don’t know why you keep that decrepit thing around.” Delia sipped her iced tea and glanced out the window of her friend’s home. On the manicured lawn, Sherri’s cyborg pushed their children on side-by-side swings, a human arm heaving on one small back while a mechanical arm pressed on the other.
“His name is Carter, and he’s part of the family.” Sherri angled her head for a view of their laughing boys. Dainty sandwiches adorned a platter at her table’s center, and Delia nibbled though she wouldn’t feel hungry until noon. Sherri poured more tea. “I grew up with him, and he—”
“Saved your life.” Delia patted her friend’s hand in understanding, though honestly, she’d survive without hearing a repeat of the story.
The cyborg had pulled Sherri from a fire and sacrificed the flesh on half of his face and body. The repair costs for an archived model had been prohibitive, but rather than purchase updated technology, the family had elected to preserve the damaged thing. Out of gratefulness. As if it possessed human feelings. The mawkish sentimentality was disturbing, and the cyborg’s exposed gears hideous. “They’re wired to protect us, you know?”
“I know,” Sherri said. “But he’s generous with his time and kind-hearted, and he has a fun sense of humor. He’d do anything for us, and we love him.”
Delia rolled her eyes as she finished her tea. Her internal clock struck noon, and she helped herself to another sandwich. Her friend’s affection for the machine irritated her, and as usual, any attempt at reason was an utter squandering of her time.
The cyborg ushered the breathless children in for lunch, and Delia was thankful for the distraction. Not long after the meal, she packed her dawdling son into their transport. “Home,” she instructed. The vehicle hummed into travel mode, and she reclined in her seat with an e-mag.
“I like Carter,” her son said while fiddling with his recliner’s buttons. “He plays with us, and he’s nice.”
“He’s a machine.”
“He acts like a human.”
“Well, he’s not. We are human, superior to him and all his kind.”
“What’s the difference?”
Delia huffed at the obvious. “Quiet now, I’m reading.”
The transport glided to their front door. Their arrival home was later than planned, but she’d anticipated the delay and programmed naptime for optimum flexibility. Why carry the child when his feet were perfectly capable of walking?
She escorted her son to his room, tucked him into bed, and plugged his link into his temple. After several software adjustments, she retreated to her suite and flung herself down on her bed. She needed to reconsider her relationship with Sherri’s family. Their beliefs were having a radical impact on her son, and his confusion about what defined a human being was troubling.
Stress had taken its toll, and Delia decided to nap as well. She set the timer for forty-five minutes, chose a pleasant dream sequence, and inserted the interface into her port. Her eyes closed as the software began its upload.
**
Note: I’m on the road again, helping my parents. I won’t be able to respond to comments or return visits until the evenings. Please bear with me. ❤
Myths of the Mirror 
This is gonna be so obvious in the near future. The way humans are less humans to us and machinery has substitued its place. Great depiction must say.
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Thank you so much for stopping by to read and comment. I do wonder how we will treat machines as they begin to look more and more human. Will we value them or be cruel simply because we can? Have a great weekend!
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What an interesting read Diana. With today’s fast-paced world, and technological advancements made at breakneck speeds, we need to be ready to confront such issues. And yet, the more pressing issue at hand is the rampant growth of prejudice, hatred, biases, bigotry, and indifference. These are the real dangers to watch out for …. they all obliterate the soul.
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I agree. One point of the story was that the android/cyborg was more human than those who define themselves as human. Is human a matter of biology or a way of perceiving and acting in the world? There seem to be plenty of humans these days that don’t deserve the title.
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Enjoyed the story, Diana. Obviously, people struggle with defining Human when they start losing the qualities. Great, thought-provoking read.
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Thank you. I like thinking about what defines human – biology or qualities of the soul like love, compassion, and kindness. 🙂 I think we’re going to face some ethical questions about how we treat machines at some point in the future.
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May be even in our lifetime, so we better start now 🙂 People shouting at Alexa come to mind 🙂
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I like this futuristic tale very much, Diana. Very clever. And the human supremacy theme against the cyborgs is interesting. I suppose children know better than the biassed adults. 🙂
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Thanks for stopping by to read, Sebnem. Yes, I agree about children knowing better than adults. We see it every day. 🙂 Have a wonderful week.
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Your stories are so thought-provoking and this one is no exception. So many questions!!
Thinking about you and hoping everything is going as well as can be ❤️
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Thanks, Joanne. It was a fun one to write. I’m glad you enjoyed it. 🙂 Have a wonderful day, my friend.
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Wow! Well done once again, Diana! Nice illustration of hypocrisy at work. Safe travels!
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Thanks, Julie. I’m glad you enjoyed the story. A little hypocrisy that isn’t too far from real life these days. Have a great weekend.
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“Her internal clock struck noon, and she helped herself to another sandwich.”
Hmm, Delia makes me wonder who really is the machine here. I love how you’ve responded to the prompt. I hope everything is going well, Diana.
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Thanks for the kind comment, Mary. Things aren’t going well, I’m afraid, but I’m doing my best to keep everything going/ everyone safe. It will get worked out eventually. ❤
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I’m so sorry. I do know what you’re going through.
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[…] https://mythsofthemirror.com/2019/05/26/dianas-may-story-defining-human/ ““I don’t know why you keep that decrepit thing around.” Delia sipped her iced tea and […]
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Thank you so much for sharing! I’m so glad you enjoyed the story. Yay! Have a wonderful weekend!
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[…] D. Wallace Peach – Defining Human […]
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I loved this one, Diana. Hypocrisy turned inside out!
And that is a fabulous new background image BTW…
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Thanks! Hypocrisy does get to me, so I’m glad that came out loud and clear in the story. And thanks for the compliment on the background. I thought I’d try something other than nature scenes. I’m glad you like it!
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I would love to find a theme that would allow me to have a lovely background…
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Are you sure you can’t? WP tells me that most themes will allow a custom background image. Did you try going into Admin – Appearance – Background? I do like your image, but it’s fun to be able to change it now and then. 🙂
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Since saying that, I think I have found one I like. It’s called Libretto and has a load of possibilities…
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Oh good! I’ll have to come over and take a peek. 🙂
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Another end of the month. I guess I missed a lot of posts this time around. I sense hypocrisy in this one, maybe a little irony too – she’s superior, yet her life revolves around tech. It reminds me a little of JD Rob’s in death series. Ever read any? They have mechanic robots to clean and cook and whatever else, as well as dreamscapes and what nots. I like their autochef the most though.
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I could use an autochef, Jina. Ha ha. I’m glad you enjoyed the story, and yes, another month gone. I hope you’re writing and feeling productive, my friend. 🙂
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A very interesting story 💜
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Thanks so much, Willow. I appreciate the visit. Have a great day and Happy Writing!
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Thank you 💜
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A great story exposing our double standards as humans.
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Thanks, Sadje. That was definitely a big part of the story. I’m glad you enjoyed it. Happy Writing!
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You’re welcome Diana.
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Excellent take on a so-called human’s prejudiced attitude toward someone who’s different. This reflects our present day situation all too closely. Well done, Diana!
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Thanks, Lyn. I added a little hypocrisy to make it even more like today. 🙂 Sigh. Thanks so much for stopping by to read. Happy Writing!
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Amazing take Diana and wonderful. xo 🙂
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Thanks so much for stopping by to read, Jen. I appreciate it! Happy Writing.
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You’re welcome Diana 🙂
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Nice comparison, Diana. Hope all goes well with your parents.
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Thanks, Teri. Things aren’t going well at this point, but we’re doing our best. I appreciate the kind comment. ❤
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[…] Continue reading at Myths of the Mirror […]
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What a brilliant comparison. An AI that’s very human and a human who has lost her humanity. A subtle yet poignant message. Nicely done, Diana.
And I hope all is well with your parents.
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Thanks, Staci. I’m glad you enjoyed the story. May parents aren’t doing well, but I appreciate your asking. ❤ On the lighter side, I finished your book. A review on the way!
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I’m sorry to hear they aren’t well. I will pray for them. And you.
Thanks (regarding the review), but don’t rush. You have your hands full. I hope it brought you a little enjoyment in this difficult time.
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It was a wonderful distraction. 🙂
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Thanks. I’m glad to hear that.
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♥️
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😀
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Very insightful story, Diana. I think it’s already getting to the point where it’s difficult to discern between human and inhuman…and it’s even before cyborgs become part of daily life. Wishing you a lovely week.
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Thanks, J.D. I think that time is fast approaching and that there will be some ethical issues ahead as robots become more and more human in appearance, behavior, and thought. It’s fun and scary to consider. 🙂
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Is it play that makes us human or our ability to feel empathy? There are so many questions here, Diana. I liked the way to you used her ‘internal clock’ to transition.
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I think animals play and feel empathy (at least some of them). I wonder if sentience is the defining factory, and with sentience comes a responsibility to act humanely. Hmm. I don’t have the answers, but it was fun to write! Thanks for stopping by, Robert. 🙂
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I never really have any answers either — but it is always fun to write. Thanks Diana.
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Wonderful job! I love the subtle look at humanity, and how we judge and belittle. Your story unfolds with the perfect balance of narration and establishing dialog. Well crafted!
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Thanks, Ethan. I’m glad you enjoyed it. I think we humans will one day face some ethical dilemmas as the line between biological and mechanical humans blurs. Should be interesting! 🙂
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A most clever comparison, Diana. I love the way you showed how even though the cyborg was not “human,” he was much more human on many levels than the self-proclaimed superior woman! Congrats! Good work!
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Thanks, Jan. I think sentience gives us a certain responsibility that perhaps other animals don’t have. It’s part of how we differentiate and define ourselves. It was fun to explore how that might play out in a world where human and robot aren’t that far apart. Thanks for reading!
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I really enjoyed reading this! And all the other stories of this month! Sadly, I’m very overwhelmed with school right now to think of anything else, so I couldn’t participate! But I loved reading the different takes on this image!
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Thanks so much for taking the time to read and comment, Jess. I can imagine how busy your are with school. And it’s important. There will be more prompts in the future. 🙂
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Thank you!
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This is so clever, Diana. I really love how you approached the topic and made the reader think about the characters’ own ideals. Marvelous! I can’t wait to read more 🙂
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Thanks so much for the comment, Sophie, and sorry for the late reply. I’m catching up between taking care of my parents. 🙂 I’m so glad you enjoyed the story. Have a lovely weekend!
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Not to worry, hope you’re having an amazing weekend as well! All the best to you and your family ❤
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Wonderful storytelling, Diana. I wonder how long it will be before your story becomes a reality? Not long, I think. Reminded me very much of the kind of story you’d see in an episode of Black Mirror. They’d love this.
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Thanks so much for the kind comment, Hugh. I love the Black Mirror episodes. 🙂 And I agree that it isn’t going to be long before there are all sorts of ethical questions before us. Particularly whether “human” is about biology or a way of being and treating others and the world. 🙂
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I love how you responded to my comment in a ‘Black Mirror’ sort of way, Diana. It’s made my day. 😀
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Ha ha. Thanks.
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Oh cool! I kind of wondered if Delia was the worlds greatest hypocrite at first, but I can totally see “humanity” truly believing it has evolved when in actual fact, it has given up the actual essence of humanity for technology… and it doesn’t seem that far off some days. 😳
Great writing as usual my friend. Kudos on working in “mawkish” 🤗
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🙂 And how do we define human? Is it purely a biological species or is it a way of being? I see blurry lines in the future.
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Absolutely.
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Whenever your read this….PLEASE continue this story!
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Ha ha ha. But but but… I don’t know where it goes. I promise I’ll contemplate it. I’m still trying to get the darn first draft done on my current WIP – it’s been a year in more ways than one. Then I want to do a stand-alone, so maybe… I’m glad you enjoyed this one, Andrea. 🙂 Have a great week.
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-grin- No buts! Seriously, you really got me thinking with this one. How do we define being human? Is it simply how we look? Is it physical? Is it our art? The good we do? But then how to explain the awful things we do to each other and the world? So many questions. 🙂
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Yeah. If it’s just the world for our species, that’s rather unimpressive, but if being human is more than biology, what it is and how do we define it? And will that extend to the robots of the future? Fun to think about.
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Very much so. I’m not sure I believe that robots or AI will ever be self aware, but it’s definitely something I like thinking about.
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Intriguing as ever my friend!🌺❤️
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Thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed it. 🙂
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That small bit at the end where she uploads a dream really made the characterization ‘pop.’ Nice story! Loved the humanness of the themes.
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Thanks, HRR. I’m glad you liked this one. It’s interesting to think about what the future might be like when robots become more and more human in behavior and appearance. Have a lovely Memorial Day. 🙂
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You too!
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Wonderful take on the photo! Makes you wonder which ones are really the machines, and which one is still human. 🙂
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You totally got my point, Barbara. It depends on how we define human. Is human merely a biological species or is being human a way of being in the world? Thanks so much for reading and for the great comment. 😀 Have a wonderful holiday.
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I love that you joined in on this one and your subtle showcase of hypocrisy – the blind spots most of us have about our failings, territory that often expands when we’re focused on the shortcomings of others.
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Thanks for reading, Amanda. I’m so glad you enjoyed this story. I can’t seem to avoid a bit of social commentary, and I do wonder how our relationships with machines will evolve as they become more humanlike. Have a lovely day, my friend. ❤
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The arrogance of being “human” is ironic Diana. Superbly crafted fiction.
Wishing you all the best for the day, must be so hectic!
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Thanks for reading, Balroop. I’m so glad you enjoyed my exploration of humanness. 🙂 Yes, pretty hectic. My dad is in the hospital but hopefully will be coming home tomorrow. 🙂 The next two weeks are going to be a little crazy, but we’ll manage.
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I’ve been waiting to see what your offering would be on this one – and it’s spot on Diana, of course 🙂 Just the right amount of obliviousness to the superior Delia.
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Thanks, Pauline. People are often such hypocrites and don’t even see it. I wonder how humanness will be defined in the future as the boundaries blur. It was fun to explore in this story. I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Have an awesome week.
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Eerie and subtle; very nice.
I hope your visit is lovely.
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Thanks, Chelsea. It was a fun one to play around with, and I think humans will one day face these situations.
My dad had two heart attacks several days apart. I’m up here taking care of mom until he comes home from the hospital and then helping until they are stable enough for me to head home. I think this is going to be my life for a while. 🙂
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I think so. 🙂 Again, best of luck.
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Nice story Diana. So straight forward and just another day in the life. You make it seem normal.
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Who knows? This could be “normal” in a matter of a couple decades. It’s going to be interesting as robots act and look more and more like humans. The real question is will humans act like humans? Thanks for reading, Len. 🙂
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Too bad Trump can’t be programmed into being “generous with his time and kind-hearted.” Talk about fantasy!
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Yeah, the man needs to be reprogrammed, for sure. But I think that’s a hopeless wish. Thanks for reading and have a great week. 🙂
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Thank you, Diana, and you do the same.
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What is classified as human today probably won’t be 20 years from now. It’s a topic that rarely gets talked about in the cultural discourse.
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Thanks for the comment, Duke. It’s going to be so interesting as robots become more and more human-like and our relationships with them evolves. So many ethical questions will need to be resolved. I’m glad you enjoyed the story.
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Brilliant and poignant; it would be like this, not a flashy metallic world, but humans with their usual narrow minds and no one sure what is human…
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Thank you. Yeah, I think it’s going to be an interesting time as machines become more and more “human” and perhaps humans become less humane. Thanks so much for reading and commenting!
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A great story, Diana. Your comments about how close to the line human and machine become are great. I also only respond to comments in the mornings and evenings. I don’t think that is very usual so I wouldn’t worry. Good luck with moving your parents.
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Thanks, Robbie. So many ethical decisions ahead as the line separating humans and machines becomes thinner! My parents moved in April, now it’s a series of health issues and hospital stays. Thanks for the kind comment. 🙂
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There’s a lot to think about here Diana. We have so much blindness when it comes to ourselves…
good luck, and I hope everything goes smoothly (K)
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Thanks, Kerfe. That is certainly one of the things I wanted to capture – that blindness and the resulting hypocrisy. And as machines become more and more human is there a human responsibility to be kind? Or are they disposable? Thanks for the luck, too. I need it!
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Ethics don’t seem to be a strong point of our technology.
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Or our humanness at times.
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This is wonderful Diana. Wishing you the best out there!
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Thanks, Holly. I’m glad you enjoyed the story. And I need the best wishes 🙂 Thought things are going as well as they can. ❤
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You always have my most positive thoughts and wishes. I’ve been there. It’s not easy. ❤️
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We are on the edge….of what? Certainly a totally different ‘landscape’ in a few decades. Fascinating story, Diana. Much to chew on…Love and light. Thinking of you and your ailing parents. Hugs xx
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Thanks, Joy. I’m glad you enjoyed the story. I can see all kinds of ethical questions as humans and machines become increasingly indistinguishable. Where is the line? And who decides? My parents are having such a hard time. It’s good I’m here. 🙂
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Oh, I gotta tell you, this is sublime. Futuristic and yet present. Prescient yet all too true already. In fact (ahem), I’d love to see this continued on as a novel, D.W. Peach. Speculative fiction that we all relate to all too well. Brilliant.
Hope all is well with your parents. I drove the 7 hours down to visit my mom last weekend. I’m still down about the sad effects of aging. Saw an amazing story last night about Bruge, Belgium where the city WELCOMES those with dementia and has found ways to make the elderly there feel comfortable and even happy. https://www.nbcnews.com/nightly-news/video/what-makes-bruges-belgium-the-world-s-most-dementia-friendly-city-60338757721
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Thanks, Pam. I’m so glad you enjoyed the story. And I’m glad the themes feel relevant.
My mom has been my main concern, but my dad was just admitted to the hospital. Aging is not easy. Thanks for the link too!
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Ohhhh no. Thinking of your dad and mom – and you – with loving vibes.
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Thank you. It’s just what we do, right? I appreciate the loving vibes. ❤
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Excellent story as usual. Besides the commentary on our own society, I don’t think we are too far off from that world where Ooops, gotto go – time to download the patches to Brain OS 2.1.
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Ha ha ha. Don’t miss your download, Trent. Yes a bit of commentary on today, as well as something we’ll probably face in the future… maybe even in our lifetimes! Thanks for reading. 🙂
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Diana, I’ve been eagerly awaiting your own response to the prompt. You did not disappoint. Believable, mindful, and thought provoking — and so real.
Don’t worry about comments — get some rest. Safe travels. Hugs on the wing. 🕊️
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I’m heading out again in a couple hours, Teagan. I have no idea what my schedule is going to be, but thought I’d get this posted. I’m so glad you enjoyed it! I’m glad it was thought-provoking too. Hugs back at you, my friend.
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I like this. How do we define human and who gets to decide what human is and isn’t, especially when our leaders will often de-humanize groups of people they don’t like for their own political ends.
Whether we like it or not the future will have some interesting complex issues for us to sort through such as robotics, artificial intelligence, and increasing technological changes to human bodies (as this story delves into). What we call human or humanity might end up being harder to define.
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Thanks, Joanne, for the spot on comment. This was partly a delve into all you mentioned, as well as the hypocrisy of those who judge others. I hope that we always err on the side of greater humanness, compassion, and love. Have a great day. 🙂
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