On The Fly

In this episode, The Silent Grid . . . In the sleepy town of Greenwood, where life unfolds at a predictable pace, a quiet revolution is brewing. A seemingly innocuous smartphone, a gift from the future, is slowly infiltrating the minds of its residents. Marvin Gellborn, a man who values his independence, soon realizes that his new device is more than just a tool; it's a weapon, a silent, insidious force that's erasing individuality and turning his neighbors into mindless drones. As the grip of the Silent Grid tightens, Marvin must race against time to save his town and break free from the clutches of this unseen enemy. Welcome back to On the Fly. Please click the link in the blog post to read the beginning of Marvin's thrilling journey to save his town and break free from the grip of the Silent Grid . This is my first attempt at crafting science fiction, inspired by a legendary figure in the genre: Isaac Asimov. He is known for his prolific writing and ability to make com...

Marvin Gellborn lives in Greenwood, a quiet Midwest town with just over a thousand residents. The village has one main street, a country diner that doubles as the town's social hub, a town square, and an old grain elevator that looms over the fields like a sentinel from another time. Marvin is a young, confident, single man with a strong jawline, sandy-brown hair, and piercing brown eyes. He radiates energy, and his practical common sense, positive attitude, and friendly demeanor make him a joy to be around. Ask any neighbor, and they say, “Marvin is the town's Renaissance man, fixing everything from leaky faucets to glitchy gadgets. He is known for his practicality, creativity, and dislike of unnecessary frills.” So, no one was surprised that he kept his ancient, beat-up phone until it finally gave out. When he bought his new smartphone, though, everything changed. This smartphone was different from the others Marvin had reconditioned. It was the latest model, sleek and fast, ...

In this episode, Fascination . . . Why do people experience boredom? Have you ever pondered this question? I searched my dictionary for the word “bored," but it appears to have no meaning. Or maybe someone tore that page out? Anyway– Some may argue, "Come on, be realistic; surely there are moments when you can't find anything engaging to do." Obviously, we all experience times every day when we sit and stare with a glassy gaze, contemplating our world. When you decide to schedule some free time, I challenge you to pick up a book outside your usual reading habits. Lately, I've been intrigued by Isaac Asimov's short stories from the book Nightfall, which I mentioned in last week's On the Fly podcast.   Today, I read the 1954 story “It's Such a Beautiful Day." The story is set in a futuristic society (2117) where transportation is primarily done through teleportation devices called “Doors." The tale follows Dickie Hanshaw, a young boy who ...

In this episode,  Homesick  . . . "You can never go home again." – Thomas Wolfe. We've been watching a documentary about the 1970s – 1971, to be exact, on Apple TV+.  The Year That Music Changed Everything , how music influenced culture. The Beatles were breaking up, John Lennon recorded the classic  Imagine ,  and many Pop bands emerged to protest the Vietnam War. Marvin Gaye's iconic album  What's Going On  was released in 1971, addressing social issues like poverty, war, and racial injustice. The music from the documentary reminded me of who I was in the 1970s, a time of social and political upheaval. Hippies, with their long hair and anti-war protests, challenged traditional values. Their emphasis on peace and self-expression resonated with many young people, including myself ( See Captain Fantastic) . In short, there was political and social unrest throughout the world. It was my sophomore year in high school, and in  my  world, life was...