Upton

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Written by Priscilla Wong

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A lobster's lament at the dawn of new technology.

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One day, every citizen will be the same, globally. So it goes: a list of verboten things sits there, waiting for somebody to drop the ax. The concepts don't know they're about to be disallowed, poor laborers.

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1. Celebrities

2. Egos

3. Birthdays

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​Before the inevitable future United Nations of Homogeny, some will bemoan the value of progress, reluctantly, apologetically,

 

"I have pain. I was born in a city, you see. A great Metropolis, and promises went unfulfilled. When I say promises, I mean the promise of a happy life. Of stability, family, ownership. But there is no such thing. No such thing, whatsoever. What a reckoning."

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"My son! My poor son! Look at how he suffers on the playing field."

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"My elderly mother just choked on broccoli. Please somebody call an ambulance."

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"I was conned by a deformed human in The South of Bronx. I need help, dad."

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"Daddy, why did you cheat on mommy?"

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"Will I ever be beautiful?"

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And on and on.

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Without the necessary stage of detritus, how will we ever arrive at a state of contentment in our collective existence, with the sort of value that lies in a gratuitous life?