The h2g2 Post 04.11.24

Created Sep 10, 2024 | Updated 4 Days Ago

A crest bearing the legend The H2G2 Post

Posted: 4^th November 2024

This week's title is Straight on Till Morning. Clockwise from upper left: a praying mantis climbing a rock wall, birds perching on a ferris wheel, a Greek helmet in a museum, an orange-and-white cat curled up asleep, a squirrel eating a nut in a garden in late afternoon, a black-and-white cat stretching in a window and making a weird pattern against the glass that looks to a human like a cartoon face, another shot of the ferris wheel against the sea on a grey morning, and a sign that says 'Notice-Bridge-Heavy Motorcar-Three-Tons'. There are other, smaller words, in between, that cannot be read at this distance and which probably tell us more.

Autonomy is such a stupid word

It isn't better cos it's new;

Your robot's search is mostly just absurd

And, Google, not what I asked from you.

(With apologies to Billy Joel.)

You never imagined we'd become 'thought leaders', did you? Children, anything can happen in an environment in which Google tells all comers that the backflip was invented in medieval Europe by a man named John Backflip. We may not know for sure what this week's mystery mushroom is, but, one, we will say that upfront (and ask the experts), and two, Tavaron will not eat it (just take its picture). So we're more trustworthy than an AI.

We're also more entertaining, promise. We've found astonishing things for you this week: unbelievable signs, relics from the past, wildlife being endearing and entertaining, the weather being amazing. Things for you to admire, laugh at, and wonder about. Please start discussions.

As Bluebottle's comic-book story nears its end (don't worry, there will be another), the obligatory last-minute plot twist appears. Gasp, please: how will our artist resolve this one?

Awix tells you about cinema and I complain about politics. We have video for you to look at, and a new challenge: can you write a short story (or two, or three) in the coming year for inclusion in next year's anthology? Get to work, please.

Have a good week – or try to, what with the madness going on all around. Wrap up against bad weather. And remember: no matter what you do, you can't be doing it as badly as an AI.

Dmitri Gheorgheni

Cover for Life in Potentia, DG's new book, available from Lulu.

Cover for A Crime Has Been Committed, the latest omnibus book, available from Lulu.

Cover for A Trio of Tales, Paulh's new book, available from Lulu.

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Quote of the Week:
The ominous call of the whip-poor-will used to be used in many spooky stories - but as these birds have declined, so has people's familiarity with their sounds, and their use in scary fiction.

– Jared Del Rosso