Self-Review – Skating

Let’s Look at Skating

When the human race really gets onto thin ice, we may end up realizing that skating was to blame all along. But this form of locomotion has nothing to do with ice or roller blades. Rather, it’s performed on air.
I wrote this story during the first quarter of 2021.

Background

The original prompt word and the title are the same word. Rather than write about hockey or the like, my brain decided to take a bit of a left turn. Sorry, not sorry.

Plot

While there isn’t too much of a plot here, the bottom line is the narrator can see the nasty endgame which a supposedly marvelous new invention may lead to. She doesn’t want to help usher in our eventual demise and returns the product.

But, of course, there are billions of people who do not share her sentiment. Hers is but one small voice against a roaring tide. And that should be kind of troubling to all of us, I would say.

Characters

The characters are the unnamed narrator and their grandson.

Memorable Quotes

I don’t even know why it’s still called skating. It’s more like hovering. Fast and slow hovering.

It’s an intriguing invention. Because your shoes never touch the ground, you could technically keep the same pair of shoes for decades. It’s only fashion or preference or growth—or, I suppose, dieting—which would make one ever want or need to change.

No more high impact walking or running, so our all-too fragile knees and ankles get a break.

No touching the outside ground, so there’s no need for sidewalks. When the larger version for cars comes out next year, there won’t be a need to ever pave a road again. I suppose we’ll keep some form of pathways and signage. Otherwise, we’d all become perpetually lost.

Rating for Skating

The story has a K rating. While the language is utterly fine, the end of humanity should give the reader at least a little pause. God, I sure hope so.

Takeaways for Skating

I really love the idea that something that could seem innocuous and even (perhaps) wholesome could lead to our eventual end. I wrote this story long before AI so much as existed.

But if you want to see it as being about artificial intelligence, well, I will not be the one to stop you.

---

Want More of my Short Stories and Novellas?

If this story resonates with you, then I hope you will check out some of my other blog posts about my shorter works.

And finally, for a complete list of my shorter works, please be sure to check out the Hub Page—Short Stories as well.