I Have No Mouth and I Must Scream

I Have No Mouth and I Must Scream- I read this so long ago and didn't really think it was that great. The IHNMAIMS audio has been making it's rounds on tiktok AND Harlan Ellison was in the episode of Scooby-Doo I was watching. No, Seriously! The episode is called “The Shrieking Madness” in the mystery incorporated series. So, I thought I would read it again and a few others.

It's much better on my second read, probably because I'm older and the current state of AI makes this story particularly more impactful. The conversations we are having about AI now and that development ages this really well. I've even seen AM's monologue been put on tiktok's text to voice feature and that completely captured me - it got me thinking about a more modern day version of this (aside from maybe portal). It's big topic right now, which is why I think this is connecting with a lot of people.
Combining sort of religious perspective and a cynical kindness ending really it what makes this story a big draw for me.

Harlan Ellison's hatred to everyone isn't really apparent to me completely here because our particular characters have be tortured so long - it kind of makes since they will not be at their best or think their best about each other. However, the more I read the more tiresome this take starts to get in his other works.

Big Sam Was My Friend - A space circus story. A teleport person choosing death - this seems like he had the premise but not a great follow up with the story. imo

Eyes of Dust - Pretty privilege, but by someone who hates everyone. I loved the explanation of the government of planet spends more on cosmetics than educations. I thought it was really an interesting idea to make beauty a branch of the government.

World of the Myth- Telepathic space ants. - this one was my least favorite.

Lonelyache- Harlan Ellison going through a hard divorce and you can tell.

Delusion for a Dragon Slayer-

Pretty Maggie Moneyeyes -