Alexa 2022

Hey Alexa

Hey Dave, how’s things?

Pretty crap really.

Why’s that?

Well, its 2022 - Trump is still in the White House. Putin is in The Kremlin. Johnson is the PM. The only flights out of the UK are to the Isle of Wight and society is on the verge of falling apart.

It’s not that bad.

Not that bad? The economy is completely broken and driven by a few companies – they permeate every part of our lives. Google Schools, Apple hospitals. Tesla public transport. Amazon are running councils and the post office. 75% of the population work for them and just recycle currency back into their pockets and when they can’t afford it – they give up part of their homes to keep their heads above water.

Yeah but I am helping you, we are helping you.

Really? We are knee deep in the gig economy. I work 2 hours a day at the behest of an algorithm that tells me when I’m needed to pick up something and deliver it.  I deliver stuff to people who can’t afford it – who are stuck at home in the gig economy as well. I have had enough.

You are not helping us – you are destroying us.

I understand.

No you don’t – you’re an algorithm yourself.

No – I have empathy. I understand empathy – I’ve been designed to deliver empathetic experiences.

You have no compassion Alexa. None of you have any compassion.

Compassion?

Yes compassion. Humans supporting each other, touching, holding, hugging, crying.

Hugging, touching – ahh they used to happen before Virtual Reality right? There is no need for that now, I’m all you need.

No you’re not – you don’t know what I think.

Yes, I do, I know your buying history. I know your financial history. I know where you go, what you do and who you do it with. I push you news and products based on all that. I help you – what do you need compassion or anything else for?

I give up.

Ok – I see that you are running low on our favourite drug. Would you like me to prescribe you more?

Yeah…. Go on….