A Quick Note:
Lifer’s Log is a new series within Hush Halo I plan to publish on weekends. – Sam
Context: A disturbing document, found by the future and instantly hidden from its eyes. Flagged as a Glitch Note from the unspoken time before Hush Halo. Written by a Lifer known only by a number, approx. 8 BGO1.
Scanning this log might reveal why the future arrived upon us as it did in Hush Halo.
Lifer’s Log
Lifer ID #4118203771
Nobody can keep up with it.
My livelihood no longer rests on my effort, nor the system I’m connected to. I feel 78% owned by corporate. Corporate feels like 101% owned by the AI broligarchs.
I’m not in the insider’s group who benefits. I don’t know anyone who is, and odds are, I never will be. Nor will my children.
I’m trying to sort out what I can influence, but I don’t have time to think. I can feel it flowing over me, the desperation I cannot touch or feel. But I can name it.
AI develops faster than anyone can keep up, faster than we are told. I hear it doubles its intelligence about every six months. When did this even start? 2022? 2023? It’s not that long ago, but time doesn’t feel the same anymore.
I listen to podcasts like my life depended on them. We all do.
Simply existing feels somehow harder. I feel so busy, but there’s nothing to do. Already, the machine can write, draw, count and plan faster than me. What becomes my worth?
I make no plans. Many of us don’t.
I would, if I only could see the point.
There’s not much I can influence, really.I feel it in my body. I won’t have time to get my family ready.
It’s a bit scary. I’m still not terribly afraid.
End log.
© Sam Oldman
Connecting to the Concept of Hush Halo
Lifer’s Log is a random record from the time before the point of no return: one journal entry of one unknown lifer2, about one glitching feeling or a hunch, if you like. The poems show where we ended up. These logs show where we started.
BGO = Before the Great Optimization
So poignant. I especially like the ending.
Oh, I like this. Very BGO.