Beyond a sea of rusted automobiles a re-utilized shopping mall could be seen. Flags and tapestries covered the building giving it a festival atmosphere. Crowds of people stood outside entrances, which were closed off as a security measure to monitor people going inside. Spread out sparsely along the queues were scores of artists and bands with card machines trying to get a spare coin or two from passersby.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe music they play is really weird.\u201d Alex said, holding her hand to her ear to get a better listen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2019s influenced by oldies music, lots of jazz and rock. The machines can\u2019t make new freestyles that sound quite as authentic as a human\u2019s can.\u201d Jess replied. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI wish I could find more like it on the music recommendations.\u201d Alex remarked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAt one time you could, but then artists quit publishing their works and only showcased them in-person.\u201d Jess quit walking and closed her eyes to take it in. \u201cJust imagine it, Alex, only your memory will hear this version of this song again, and no other thing can replicate it as exactly.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt still would be nice to get to listen to it whenever I wanted though.\u201d Alex quipped.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As they finished looping through the queue they reached the security checkpoint. Hand painted signs strongly reminded guests that many electronics were prohibited inside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cLook at that garbage bin, Jess.\u201d Alex whispered, pointing to a trash can that was overflowing with electronics that people had discarded to get inside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou\u2019d be surprised how often people forget they\u2019re carrying them.\u201d One of the security guards remarked. \u201cYou can be on your way then.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Alex and Jess walked past the entrance. The hot concrete radiating outside was quickly fought off by the cool blast from industrial air conditioners. Inside was a cacophony of art, sounds, market vendors shouting their sales. Colors and patterns meshed together in intricate ways that would be poisonous to AI learning models.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2019s almost disorienting.\u201d Alex said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou\u2019ve grown used to a life that\u2019s optimized just for you, muffin. Nothing is meant to disturb you in the city. It\u2019s curated to keep us calm.\u201d Jess continued, \u201cNot even calm\u2013 optimal.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A man with jetblack hair approached them both. His eyes met Alex\u2019s and she immediately recalled the deep blue shade. His clothes were wildly different from when she last saw him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHey, it\u2019s you, the girl from the train in botnation. You made it!\u201d He exclaimed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Alex seemed a little offended by the comment. Botnation, like calling people bots, was a slur used against those who lived in AI-centric regions or used AI at all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhy do you call us that?\u201d Alex asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMost of the offgridders do. The people who use AI, it\u2019s obvious who they are.\u201d The man said, \u201cI can tell you\u2019re a little different though.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jess could pick up on Alex\u2019s defensive demeanor. She brought herself next to Alex and looked up and down at the man.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnd just who are you young man?\u201d Jess asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The man seemed visibly concerned now. He moved his finger along his collar and gulped.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWait\u2013 you\u2019re Jess!\u201d He asked, \u201cyou know this girl?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnswer me, young man.\u201d Jess stated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMy name is Blake.\u201d He said, moving his hands through his hair.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Alex turned toward Jess and rolled her eyes slightly. Jess continued to examine him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHow do you know Jess?\u201d Alex asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cShe\u2019s one of the most famous artists with the Carbon Renaissance back in its heyday.\u201d Blake responded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Alex was surprised. She knew of a lot of the work, and she knew her aunt was an artist, but to be known by strangers made it feel as though Jess were not just some family member, but a secret celebrity outside the city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhy don\u2019t the three of us go to the food court and get some tea?\u201d Jess asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI would love some!\u201d Alex said with excitement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWait what?\u201d Blake questioned, seeming confused.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jess leaned toward Blake, covering her mouth and switching to a very soft tone. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI think Alex likes you.\u201d She whispered before returning to her regular composure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Blake turned tense and flush, but agreed. They continued to journey through the fai. The air began to change in its scent. Wafts of savory, sweet, and charcoal blended together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI didn\u2019t feel hungry a minute ago, but the smell is sure getting to me.\u201d Alex said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe best part, no machines to force nutrition. Everything here is made as someone loves it, imperfect for our bodies yet perfect for our souls.\u201d Jess said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There were long half tables with benches that folded out, like those which used to be common in school cafeterias. The entire room was filled from restaurants at one wall to the opposite. Jess guided them to a small kiosk that sat nearby that served tea, hot and frozen\u2013 a favorite of Jess\u2019. They each made an order, Alex went for an extra sweet frozen matcha. They walked to an area where the tables were empty and seated around it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBlake, you should show Alex around here. I\u2019ll meander to some artsy friends after I finish my drink.\u201d Jess said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDo you want to see what\u2019s around?\u201d Blake said, turning to Alex.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Alex looked around to see if anything looked interesting, but the food court was limiting to the full picture. \u201cYes, I would like to see what\u2019s around.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Alex and Blake took their drinks and began to walk away from the area. They took to a hallway beyond where they had come from. Booths along the sides with various \u201cLocal\u201d titles representing labor unions became prominent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhy are there so many unions here?\u201d Alex inquired.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis is the human industrial guild.\u201d Blake said, \u201cthey are a coalition of unions that offer workers protections and fight against the bots taking human jobs.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Themes of space contracts seemed prominent in the platforms presented. The unions provided assurances against getting trapped in an orbital factory without a right to return, or have their remains returned. Space production was becoming more popular as travel became more accessible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2019s good they\u2019re moving the jobs away from here. It will be so good once the pollution is gone and these communities can breathe.\u201d Alex said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBut they will be away from their families for months at a time, sometimes years depending on the contract.\u201d Blake remarked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
They continued to walk through the fair. Unions were slowly replaced with booths for political parties. None of them were major parties represented in the political system. Most of them didn\u2019t have any elected representation at all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhy are there so many parties here?\u201d Alex asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThey\u2019re Machine Breakers. Radicals that mostly organize for mutual aid. They rarely run political campaigns, just protest and share among each other.\u201d Blake replied.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Alex looked at the people. They were radically different from the mass produced culture of the city. Clothes that were intentionally torn and repaired, body modifications, tattoos. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThey could never get a job at an office. The screeners would remove them before they could even try.\u201d Alex said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThey don\u2019t want a job at an office.\u201d Blake shrugged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A tall man with grey hair and circular glasses began approaching Alex from across the corridor. He was wearing a sports jacket and button up shirt, which stuck out from the grunge look of the Machine Breakers in the area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou came here from the city of hedonism and pestilence.\u201d The man said as he got near.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat do you mean?\u201d Alex said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou\u2019ve found the light of the Lord. You knew that He was calling for you.\u201d He said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Alex became quickly uncomfortable. Blake saw this and stood closer to her looking at the man.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cLet\u2019s go Alex, don\u2019t worry about him.\u201d He said gesturing back to toward where they came from.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
They turned around and walked with some speed away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWho was he?\u201d Alex asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cProbably with the Maker\u2019s Covenant. They\u2019re a cult that thinks AI is sinful and here to destroy humanity.\u201d Blake responded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhy did he come up to me like that?\u201d She asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2019s because you\u2019re wearing bot clothes; you stick out here, and he wants to \u2018save\u2019 you.\u201d He said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat\u2019s so weird.\u201d Alex stated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The idea seemed preposterous to her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSave me from AI?\u201d She quietly pondered.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
A reclaimed shopping mall illuminates the world of people rejecting dominance from the machines.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[7,6,9,2],"class_list":["post-58","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-humanitys-final-horizon","tag-agi","tag-ai","tag-humanitys-final-horizon","tag-scifi"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/foxborger.com\/stories\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/58","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/foxborger.com\/stories\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/foxborger.com\/stories\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/foxborger.com\/stories\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/foxborger.com\/stories\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=58"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/foxborger.com\/stories\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/58\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":63,"href":"https:\/\/foxborger.com\/stories\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/58\/revisions\/63"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/foxborger.com\/stories\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=58"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/foxborger.com\/stories\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=58"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/foxborger.com\/stories\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=58"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}