The Future Is Closer Than You Think Read online

  THE FUTURE IS closer than you think

  Cherry-picked from the “Day After Tomorrow” these stories run from the very serious to the absurd; from A.I. on trial for murder—

  to fortune hunters raiding anabandoned temple on a far off planet.

  They all ask the question: What will tomorrow be like?

  —And is there a place for me there?

  www.ZaslowCrane.com

  Copyright © 2019 by Zaslow Crane All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  This is a work of FICTION.

  Any resemblance to any persons, whether alive or dead, yatta, yatta, yatta.

  Get over yourself! It ain’t about you!

  And It isn’t about anyone you know! Any opinions expressed in this work that may offend, were probably culled from real people, and REAL people’s feelings and do not necessarily exemplify the feelings of the author… or 99% of the population of the U.S., for that matter.

  It’s a work of Fiction. I was having fun; and this book is here in hopes that you will have fun reading it, too! Sure, people here are based on or are amalgams of “real’” people, but not so you’d ever be able to tell. Everything here is culled directly from my peripetic and somewhat fevered brain.

  Everyone has to be based on something…Your fifth grade math teacher, a cop you met unexpectedly when running a red light, your girlfriend’s sister or mother… Everyone has to “come” from somewhere, making stuff up completely from “whole cloth” is just too fake and too difficult.

  So, while this book isn’t about anyone you know or that any one else knows, you might see some “characteristics” of people you’ve met.

  It’s all fiction though. That’s the key.

  You’ve just gotta use your imagination.

  “Everyone starts “ignorant”. That’s not a problem.

  Ignorance is easily fixed.

  The only real problem is if you stay ignorant.”

  Contents

  THE HUMAN ELEMENT | 9 WAITIN’ ON SUNSET | 21 INFESTATION | 31 CLAIMJUMPER | 43 SEE THE BEATLES…LIVE! | 53 PINOCCHIO’S PROBLEM | 73 HOW TO DELOUSE YOUR SPACESHIP | 95 MIKE | 129 THE JUGGLER | 139 ENEMY WITHIN | 153 HUMAN RESOURCES | 185 ALL FOR A BREATH OF FRESH AIR | 201 THE ROC OF PETRA | 219 PERELANDRA’S BOUNTY | 277

  Introduction

  T

  ime goes fast and it only goes in one direction, so you’d better pay attention, okay?

  This moment is already gone. I find myself fascinated (obsessed?) with how fast things are moving; trying to imagine what tomorrow will be like.

  I suppose that this goes back to being very high up in the Hollywood Photography scene, where I devised “Plan A” for a given photo shoot, but because “Plan A” almost never survived intact, I needed to be flexible. So that makes “Plan B” all the more important (and spurs the creation of “Plan C” and “Plan D”). I want control. “Control” of all of this? Ridiculous! I know. But I want it just the same. It’s my nature. Failing that, I at least want to know what’s coming, so I can “be ready.”

  Things that never occurred to you ten years ago are de rigueur now. Just in the last year or so, you began doing something with some new technological wrinkle and now you can’t imagine your life without it.

  What happens when a person, a society gets blindsided by an enormous change? We all will be blindsided. That’s because doing something substantive about all these changes is like trying to nail Jell-O to the wall with a huge wooden nail and a rubber hammer.

  “Human nature” tends to look at problems deemed to be unsolvable, and anxiously “waits,” hoping a solution will present itself sometime later (much like my folks when any big decision loomed. They just procrastinated. They might have taught a Master’s class in Procrastination—they were certainly qualified!).

  We, society, are not much better and I seriously doubt that all the people will listen when others “cry wolf”—not without a clear and do-able Plan. Here, might I refer you back to the aforementioned Jell-O…?

  I tend to think of this on a more personal scale. But do not be fooled, these changes are coming, and they will cause anything but small personal changes.

  A.I. will simply be everywhere, as will advertising and data collection to aid advertising; it will be all interconnected—both for good and for “bad.” But one thing is certain: “A.I.,” “Robots,” whatever you care to call them will be coming for most of the jobs in the world.

  Jobs will evaporate like a fine mist left over by the dew when the sun hits it in the morning. And if they “steal” our job, will they in so doing steal or at least damage our identity- our raison d’etra?

  Jobs provide two things: A way to make money to live, and a Sense of Purpose (at least for those of us lucky enough not to be working retail or other similar soul crushing endeavors). So when jobs go away; are taken by robots, who are more efficient and frankly 90% of the time, just plain better at your job than you are, there will be new positions available for those nimble enough, and this will buy those lucky or talented few, a few extra years, but the Change is inevitable.

  What will become of (most of) the Human Race when they are…redundant? What will that do to an individual’s psyche? Now, multiply that by Billions.

  Robots will be the quintessential two-edged sword. We will depend upon them and will be unwilling to give them up (sort of like a narcotic), and yet, they will steal everything from humanity (except for a time at least) creative endeavors. They will steal most of our aspirations because we will allow them to do it (anything “I” can do, a robot will, eventually do better)- apologies to the folks who wrote “Annie Get Your Gun.” Because on a personal level, they will be a godsend; however, on a mass scale they are the biggest threat to the World since the rock that killed the dinosaurs. And I’m not talking about the Terminator, et al. I’m envisioning something more subtle and more pervasive—with far fewer explosions.

  Robots are dangerous simply because they will disturb the fabric that is humanity; they will disrupt and cause consternation at least, more likely despair, because they will change everything. People, for the most part resist change. When that change rolls right over us like a runaway HUMMER, it will cause “us” to think that it’s time to give up. That fabric will strain to absorb all the myriad changes that are dropping into it.

  And while I’m on the subject of “robots:”

  Body modifications will be everywhere. It can’t happen? Ok, well, how about total knee replacements, heart valve replacements, cornea replacements, and lots more. This is just the beginning. “Cyborgs ‘R’ Us” is just around the proverbial corner.

  Tomorrow, we may have digital interfaces in our bodies— perhaps instant access to the internet (or whatever improves and replaces it) with some sort of ongoing connectivity that has not as yet even been beta-tested; there will be things that even the furthest questing minds have not conceived of yet; and it won’t take long. The toddlers, perhaps the teens now, perhaps even thirty-years-olds today…they will see all this and more.

  Designer babies are also just around the corner. I don’t care if governments legislate against it, or Science condemns it, wealthy people will find a way to give their babies an edge. Their progeny are their legacy after all, and speaking of legacies, wealthy people will be the first to be able to take advantage of other related advancements. For instance: tiny robots injected into your blood stream whose sole purpose is to clean out plaque and other blockages in your veins. This alone will probably add
20-50 years to a given life; add other more sophisticated procedures, and 200 years becomes a very do-able goal; perhaps even effective immortality/e-mortality. That is, unless some violence happens, that individual will live forever (See: “When A Tool Begets A Child” in “The Future Is Closer Than You Think” Book Two, coming soon).

  And again, speaking of leaving a legacy behind, what if you don’t leave it behind? What if you don’t die and thereby hang onto your wealth? It never will get divided up among your heirs and instead, will remain sequestered in the digital equivalent of Scrooge McDuck’s Vault of gold coins; the better to “swim” in and luxuriate in….

  Wealth will be accumulated because people aren’t dying, and the very wealthy become the ultra-wealthy. So the inequities will continue unless and until some enlightened souls decide that they have enough money, and share the wealth (which is highly unlikely, given Human Nature), thereby improving the lives of those less talented or less fortunate around them. Or, we might have some sort of “revolution” to bring things back into a more equitable framework (but God help us if we try that! Remember Soviet Russia…?)

  And while all this is being considered, also consider “eugenics.” Oh, it’ll have a new name. It’ll have better PR, but IT IS coming. The urge to rebuild and improve the race as-a-whole and to de-incentivize those with “poor” genes to reproduce, will begin slowly but surely. And they will disappear—for the overall good of the race, of course.

  It’ll be a “Grave New World.” I may come off like some sort of “Luddite,” or someone who doesn’t embrace technology.

  This is not true.

  I’d like to think of my attitude might be similar to having a gun—or a lawyer—in the house: It’s nice to have when you really need it but, be aware of the risks!

  There’s more of course. The future is the one place where “more” is a given. But that’s probably enough for now… This is the Launchpad for these stories: The Future Is Closer Than You Think— Stories From The Day After Tomorrow.

  Thank you for purchasing this book.

  Optimism

  I

  t is an act of sheerest optimism to even undertake the writing of a book. There’s the idea. Ya gotta have an idea…Then, you need to allow the idea to “percolate” a bit, and grow and blossom (sometimes, they just grow mold!).

  Then, you have to plot it out, and then, sit down and actually write the darned thing!

  When you’re all finished, you’re still not done. Oh no…

  Because now that it’s finished, it’s gotta be edited and read and re-read numerous times, both by yourself, and also by friends (to whom I owe a great debt, for reading early versions of this story and offering feedback).

  So, over the space of weeks or months, you “tweak” it, polish it and rework it until you dream about it and you’d rather not see it ever again.

  And, still you’re not done!

  Now, you need to find a literary agent.

  I’ll tell you, I’ve never been kissed off so often by so many people in such creative and nice ways.

  I was a commercial photographer for 25 years, so of course, I’m used to being lied to, and blown off, but literary agents are another breed altogether.

  THE FUTURE IS CLOSER THAN YOU THINK They tell me: “Not interested” or “Go away!” but they do it in such a way as to make me feel almost warm & fuzzy even though rejected…

  So, now that you’ve found an agent, the “real” work has just begun: The sales, the promotion, the blogs, “shilling” the new project…

  Therefore I proclaim that all writers are, by definition, optimists, no matter what their demeanor, or mien.

  No one else goes through so much work, pleading, and bleeding only to be rejected 438 times before finding someone who will take their manuscript to an interested publisher, and perhaps wait two years to be paid for all that work.

  I’m not complaining, or whining; I’m merely pointing out that you’ve gotta…believe.

  And more than that, for each of the 437 times you’re rejected, you’ve gotta continue to believe.

  That, my friends, is optimism!

  The Human Element

  BY ZASLOW CRANE

  yez, oyez…In the matter of the civil case of Adamson vs

  “O

  yez, oyez…In the matter of the civil case of Adamson vs General Robotics, the court will now come to order.” “The right honorable Judge Leslie Rankin presiding.” “All will now stand and draw close to hear the words of

  Justice. God bless the United States, and the Great State of New York.” The bailiff then sat down at the right of the bench and resumed paperwork.

  The prosecutor stood and addressed the court.

  “Your Honor, may I please read into the court’s records the various classifications of A.I., so that we may all have a basis upon which to judge the case before us?”

  The judge shifted uncomfortably. His tuna salad lunch was not sitting well and he had wished that one of the attorneys had requested a delay.

  “Are you certain that this reading is necessary?”

  “We must establish parameters, your honor. How else might the State clarify the classifications for A.I., as they have a direct bearing upon the expectations of society.”

  “Go ahead.” The judge felt an ominous rumbling in his G.I. tract. He tried very hard to maintain his personal sense of decorum.

  The District Attorney consulted a tablet with specifications and definitions on it. He jacked into the courthouse AV interface and read aloud as he showed the court:

  “*Level 1 Personal assistant: May or may not be ‘corporeal,’ and may or may not be ambulatory, i.e., scheduler, companion, researcher/sounding board, and other similar tasks.”

  “*Level 2 Public assistant: Almost always ambulatory, usually ‘corporeal,’ i.e., assistant Police, maintenance, landscaping, refuse handling…and some limited automobile operation.”

  “*Level 3 always ‘corporeal,’ may or may not be ambulatory, i.e., factory assemblers, workers, and…” D.A. Chen paused for effect, “Drivers slash automobiles, as is our defendant.”

  He allowed that to settle like a lost shoe stuck and sinking in the muck before continuing:

  “*Level 4 Non-corporeal support ‘staff:’ Dictionaries, encyclopedia, etcetera.”

  “*Level 5 Classified characteristics: which exist in tandem and usually reside in another program or set of programs.” Judge Rankin shifted uneasily. A fly had gotten past the building’s anti pest filters buzzed around his ear. He waved a hand at it and it moved on, as he discretely passed gas. The judge felt a bit better, but only for a moment or two. He didn’t feel well, and so was impatient and cranky.

  “So, what have we learned, District Attorney Chen?” Chen turned to play to the jury.

  “We have learned that teddy1245b is a level 3, and in most

  instances, the series of units from whom most is expected. This A.I. has the highest levels of intelligence, predictive analytics, and the most up-to-date avoidance software. And yet, on June 24th, 2029, he did kill, with his motored self-driver, Dr. Andrew Adamson, noted pathologist for Erie County.”

  “The State will show that he is defective, and prove that he

  willfully terminated a human life.”

  The judge nodded cholerically. He sighed, and signaled the

  Defense with a desultory wave of a hand, that it was his “turn.” The Defense attorney rose to address the court, pointedly

  standing next to The Defendant. ‘teddy1245b’ had been provided a name and a corporal body so that ‘he’ could be a distinct

  individual in court. Humans were used to disembodied voices

  in their personal lives, but in a court of law, it was debated and

  eventually deemed useful to have the A.I. installed in some ambulatory human-like unit, the better to ‘face your accuser.’

  “Humans aren’t the only people in society – at least that is so, according to the law. In the U.S., corp
orations have been given rights, even free speech and are considered “citizens,” sometimes religion factors into it. Some natural features and landmarks also have person-like rights. So, why shouldn’t artificial intelligence systems be recognized as people too? They certainly interface with humans more than corporations and national parks. Shouldn’t they be afforded the same rights as are organic people?”

  Chen erupted, “Your honor, ‘Organic people?’ Really? Is there any other sort?”

  Defense demurred.

  “Of course. That’s exactly what I’m suggesting at this moment. That teddy1245b is in most ways, most ways that matter, a person. What the D.A. is asking the court is nothing less than an instance of ‘Mistreatment of A.I.’ In order to protect them, certain laws, of which I’m certain the court is aware have been placed to protect A.I. from misguided citizens…luddites, anti ‘bot’ people, nix-ers and the like. This ploy by the D.A. is tantamount to a public hanging.”

  Chen picked up the attack again.

  “We have parameters that set out the criterion for this to be a crime. It has been adopted into the vast panorama that encompasses State Laws. And what level of crime depends on circumstances and on the level of sentience of the device. The State has already debated and established these criteria.”

  Chen paused again playing to the jury and the few cams that were allowed in by Judge Rankin. He finished with a dramatic flair as if on stage:

  “This device has the highest levels of sentience. So, the harshest sentence available is the only recourse for this court.” His tone suggested strongly that this was the most damning aspect of the case. He nodded to the judge, who absently nodded back.

  Defense would not give in.

  “But does it have self-awareness, self-sentience? Because if it does possess those qualities, then it must be tried on a par with a human defendant. This very trial is a mistake and a miscarriage of justice!”

  The judge shifted a bit in his chair again. Get on with it. Maybe I should call a recess…