24 Comments
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Kathleen Clare Waller's avatar

The human / digital dichotomy is so well explored here, Claudia!

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Claudia Befu's avatar

Thanks, I’m interested in how technology can expand human senses and the other way around, how humans can add biological perspectives to technology.

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Nathan Slake's avatar

It's excellent worldbuilding and storytelling, Claudia. I really like this. Plus, the stylistic additions you include through the log text etc add another layer to it. Very well done.

"What use was human existence if its only purpose was to inhale clean air, exhale carbon emissions, ingest organic resources, and excrete pollutants? These were not humans; they were parasites on a finite ecosystem." -- superb.

Reading this, I can't help think you'd enjoy the game Citizen Sleeper, which is essentially a visual novel told through the eyes and experience of a human mind that has been digitized. A sequel has just been released, too.

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Claudia Befu's avatar

Thanks for recommending the game, I’m way behind with games and I should probably get into. They must have some of the most amazing storytelling. Though I have a fear of being influenced by similar ideas/story topics to mine.

I’m happy that you enjoyed the story. I had fun exploring a new form through logs and first person storytelling. The world of the Dust Road is growing and there’s more playground. It helps a lot.

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Nathan Slake's avatar

Ah yes, I have a friend who writes and who veers away from certain types of fiction because he's worried it will affect his own. I understand where you're coming from. I think it can be inspiring, though, but yeah if it's too close then it's perhaps not ideal.

Anyway, something for the list at some point, if the idea of a graphic novel like immersive experience appeals. It's set in space, so it's at least somewhat different.

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Claudia Befu's avatar

Yes, I block out fiction in my area but like to read lots of non-fiction related to my stories. Though lately I’m hypnotised by notes which is not always good but it also provides material for my fiction…

Yes, very interested in graphic novels. Visualising stories is priceless. Just adding any other medium to storytelling enhances the experience. I loved the audio version of your latest short story!

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Nathan Slake's avatar

Great to hear, thank you. :D

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Claudia Befu's avatar

You’re doing a great job!

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Nick Buchheit's avatar

A story that might end up being real! Nice work.

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Claudia Befu's avatar

Thanks for reading, Nick, and for taking the time to leave a note. I write these stories in the hope that they will not end up being real.

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Shoni's avatar

I really like seeing how different people imagine what being digitised must be like. The trade off between physical senses and infinite knowledge is especially striking here. Nice work!

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Claudia Befu's avatar

I‘m interested in how we can expand our senses through technology.

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Shoni's avatar

Likewise!

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Claudia Befu's avatar

It’s a huge part of my world, I’m slowly getting to those stories.

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Shoni's avatar

I look forward to seeing how you approach it!

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Claudia Befu's avatar

And I yours! 🙌

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Shoni's avatar

🙌

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Feasts and Fables's avatar

This is very good writing. Imaginative, clever, and stark. Impactful storytelling.

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Claudia Befu's avatar

I‘m happy you enjoyed it! A little secret, some of the ideas were inspired by this post: https://open.substack.com/pub/timdenning/p/im-38-if-youre-in-your-20s-or-30s

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Feasts and Fables's avatar

All ideas are inspired by something else … something we’ve read, talked about, watched, heard … how we use them is what counts!

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Claudia Befu's avatar

I gave them a little apocalyptic twist.

Non-fiction is a huge fountain of inspiration for worldbuilding. So much material is needed for the details of a secondary world and real life is the best provider of raw resources.

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Feasts and Fables's avatar

I am finding that with my own dystopian musings!

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Claudia Befu's avatar

It gives the writing more weight.

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Feasts and Fables's avatar

So true.

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