All over the city, lines of people snaked around corners humming with resignation and discontent. Two weeks had passed since the last time these adult men and women waited to receive living assistance from their government. The Industrial Revolution had finally peaked and the machines were doing all of the human work; people had lost a dignified way to earn a comfortable living. Each year the lines got longer; and each year the restlessness grew. The assistance given was paltry causing families to co-exist in small, cramped spaces. The time was near for an anti-industrial revolution. The masses were ready.
© Colline Kook-Chun, 2019
(This post was inspired by Friday Fictioneers hosted by Rochelle. The challenge asks for bloggers to write a story in 100 words or less in response to the photo prompt.)
Dear Colline,
A rather bleak and depressing story. If not disturbingly real.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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And yet it seems so possible, doesn’t it? Self check-ins have popped up at libraries and supermarkets – and I am sure a plethora of other jobs have been automated.
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It is possible, It happened. Rick burning and loom smashing
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An will happen again inn the future.
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Eek – hope this isn’t a sign of things to come. Nicely done, Colline.
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
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Thank you so much Susan.
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Sounds dire. Chilling truth. What will the rich do when the plebs aren’t needed anymore and there are too many? Cull…
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Yes! That statement brings so many scenarios to my mind.
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It’s hard to imagine a society with a social wage and no jobs, but it seems inevitable that something will have to give. Interesting take.
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Thank you Iain. The automation in our society does concern me a little.
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Ah, the dystopian slant!
Nicely done!
That government, though, is it still voted for by the people? Hint hint about where change can be done.
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Thank you.
Though one mustn’t assume that the government is a democratic one.
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True! Good point! 🙂
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Yes we are! I appreciate your story, Colline.
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Thank you so much. I am glad you enjoyed it.
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You are very welcome, Colline, I did.
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I do think about the future, it may not be kind, but only time will tell.
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And it is certainly not in my lifetime 😀
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That is a scary situation… may it never happen.
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One can only hope – though changes will have to be made and complete automation needs to be halted.
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Sounds like something that’s just waiting to happen.
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It certainly does.
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In years to come, they’ll tell their grandchildren that people once worked to earn a living. A thought-provoking piece indeed.
.Here’s my story.
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Your comment sparks another story in my head 😀
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A realistic picture. As more and more humans are replaced by machines in the name of profit, it is certain a day will arrive of long queues for daily necessities and government doles.
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I believe that too – especially as more and more people are living below the poverty line because they cannot find work.
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I can sense that tension. The revolution is coming.
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People can only accept so much.
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You paint a bleak scene with bleak words. Nice take on the prompt.
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Thank you. One always hopes that it doesn’t come to this.
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Ripped a page out of the newspaper, didya??? This story is very current with society. Great take!
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It certainly seems like it! Thank you 🙂
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so true, and not too far from the future truths we face. The way governments are behaving recently it seems to be dog eat dog or god eat god. either way we’re doomed! Good stuff
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Thank you.
The governments are certainly not thinking of the ordinary person on the street.
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Disturbing but very real. ! Why does it make our world such a dark and pessimistic one?
Enjoyed your flash fiction, Colline!
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Thank you.
I agree, it seems a little too close to reality.
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This story made me think. What would make me revolt, perhaps the loss of faith and trust in the support system, who knows?
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I think the breakdown of a system needs to affect plenty of people for many to revolt against it – as has been shown in history. Personally? I think it would depend on how much I would be prepared to accept – or not accept.
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Would an anti-industrial revolution mean taking everyone back 200-300-years, living without all the conveniences we enjoy today? Like flush toilets, for instance? No smartphones, no computers, no screens of any kind; no movies, TV, or radio; wood stoves that someone had to chop wood for, and know how to keep the fire just right; no ironing-free fabrics, no sewing machines, no cars? I don’t know that anyone would like that very much 🙂
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No, it would mean that humans take back the jobs that humans can do – like putting together objects, or having a person serve you when phoning a company instead of a machine.
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That would be refreshing, wouldn’t it!
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It certainly would!
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Interesting take Colline, with a dose of futuristic reality. Nicely done.
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Thank you so much. And thank you for reading.
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