Discussion thread - SEVENTY-FIVE WORD WRITING CHALLENGE August 2013

[JordanSC5]

JordanSC5 -- Few controversial topics are as emotionally charged as abortion. Can there ever be a middle ground between pro-choice and pro-life? Perhaps a place to start is to ask at what point a fertilized egg develops enough of a nervous system to be an object of ethical consideration.

It is a tricky issue and I'm not sure we will ever have a morally firm answer.

 

[JordanSC5]

JordanSC5 -- Few controversial topics are as emotionally charged as abortion. Can there ever be a middle ground between pro-choice and pro-life? Perhaps a place to start is to ask at what point a fertilized egg develops enough of a nervous system to be an object of ethical consideration.

And thank you for the comment as well. I enjoyed your story, a very scary future indeed.

 

[stormcrow]

Belated thanks for the review Starbeast!

I've been away on holiday & that was good to read on returning!

 

[chrispenycate]

Hugs Victoria, turns, looks slightly confused, then scratches behind StarBeast's ear.

Many thanks for the comments; not far from the intended meaning. Hmm, must have aimed too simple this time…

 

[Starbeast]

Belated thanks for the review Starbeast!

I've been away on holiday & that was good to read on returning!

Welcome back Stormcrow. I'm delighted you enjoyed the review.

Hugs Victoria, turns, looks slightly confused, then scratches behind StarBeast's ear.

Many thanks for the comments; not far from the intended meaning. Hmm, must have aimed too simple this time…

Heh heh. Simple or not, you do touch on heavy subjects that leave an impression on me.

Starbeast's right leg wiggles from being rubbed behind the ear.

Be careful, a friend of mine rubbed behind my ear while I was driving and my leg wiggled around and I kicked her a few times and crashed my car into a police station. Fortunately the cops had a sense of humor and let me go.

Change
(part seven)​

JordanSC5 - Exceedingly intense science fiction drama that is a very dark story, which is written like a prologue with the makings of a hero's origin. This tale left me at the crossroads wanting more, I wanted to know about the outcome. You got me hooked, nice work.

 

[JordanSC5]

Thank you Starbeast, I enjoyed your story as well, put a wide smile on my face.

 

[Starbeast]

Thank you Starbeast, I enjoyed your story as well, put a wide smile on my face.

You're welcome JordanSC5 for the review. And thank for complimenting my tale.

 

[Victoria Silverwolf]

Culhwch -- In a world of diminishing resources, some have advocated that we adopt "lifeboat ethics." Others reject this as simply a modern version of the discredited notion of "social Darwinism." In times of desperation, ethics is often a secondary consideration.

 

[Kylara]

I made it! Finally! Back on track to enter the challenges! Woooooo!

Hopefully fulfilled the brief and people understand the story - I had to cut quite a bit out and re-word but I think it still makes sense!

Looking forward to reading all the other stories now...

 

[mosaix]

Lost my internet connection last night and panicked this morning when it hadn't come back up. Thought this might be the first month I'd miss. I powered off / on the router a couple of times without any effect. Finally a call to my ISP (log wait on the 'phone) resolved the issue and I've managed to get my entry posted before going away tomorrow down to the south coast for a long weekend.

 

[Victoria Silverwolf]

mosaix -- As computers become more and more sophisticated, they seem to take on some of the characteristics of living beings. It is tempting to allow ourselves to relate to them in ways better suited to our fellow humans.

Kylara -- As social animals, all of us create personae in order to fit into society. The challenge is to remain true to ourselves while wearing these masks.

Lenny -- Advances in the treatment of mental health have worked wonders. Psychiatric therapy and medications have restored the ability to function to many who seemed doomed to despair and isolation. Yet we run the risk of trying to smooth out the multiple eccentricities of our personalities to fit into a pattern of what he judge to be normal.

 

[Lenny]

Thanks for the review, Victoria! That's an interesting take on it, that didn't even occur to me (whoooo! I've written something that can be interpreted in many ways! ).

 

[Victoria Silverwolf]

Parson -- It is sobering to realize the fragility of humanity's place in the world. A sudden crisis could easily cause everything we think of as society to vanish. Yet, as long as humanity survives, there will be those courageous enough to stand firm against the fall of night.[/b]

 

[Parson]

Victoria, thanks for your thoughtful review. (Notice I do not say "pithy.") Life is indeed to fragile to take for granted.

 

[TheDustyZebra]

(Notice I do not say "pithy.")

Well, you are a man of the cloth, after all.

 

[Starbeast]

Change
(part eight)​

Culhwch - In this story, we read about probably the most shocking thing humans can become, cannibals! And it is the horrifing nessessity that may save the people of Earth. Frighteningly great fiction, and hopefully never becomes the "the final solution" in reality.

Mosaix - Personal computers are on a whole new level in the near future, when a computer can get personally involved with you. This tale will make you think twice about artificial intellegence and online dating. Cyber sweet and digitally delightful.

Kylara - Firstly, welcome back. Secondly, you've blended in well by returning with an interesting entry that shows off your imagination, and grants us readers to full access to entertainment. This story displays it's true color and uniqueness.

Lenny - Is it cyber therapy? Or are human's pleasent emotions being harvested and distributed to the masses in order to keep society placid and calm? Astonishing science fiction at it's best, this story made me think about the possibilities. Well done sir.

Parson - A sobering tale that reads like a Judgement on humankind, or the effect of an unseen deadly virus that strikes down nearly everyone in it's monstrous path. And in the town of McInnis, abortion, may have been the key to it's doom. Nightmarish good stuff.

 

[Boneman]

Last month the stories in the challenge were so damn good (300 and 75) it was quite off-putting to compete, so I haven't read any of this month's yet. Now I've posted I can do that, and I'm really looking forward to it!

I do apologise if my tale is similar to anyone else's.

 

[TheDustyZebra]

I do apologise if my tale is similar to anyone else's.

It's not -- but your title is priceless.

 

[Parson]

Starbeast: Thanks for this "Nightmarish good stuff"

 

[Victoria Silverwolf]

TheDustyZebra -- Debate rages over the limits of free speech. Whether the subject is hate speech or video nasties or government secrets, it seems that almost everyone believes there must be some kind of limit on what can be said, or written, or filmed. Drawing the line can be very dangerous, and the first step to oppression.

reiver33 -- One of the notable tendencies of humanity is the desire to convert others to our way of thinking. Open debate is a good thing for society, but often we are tempted to think that our beliefs are so important that we must destroy opposing beliefs.

Boneman -- The traveller who becomes a stranger in a strange land is often bewildered by a sense of culture shock. No less troubled is the person who is isolated from changes in society over time, and who must face the challenges of future shock.