Searching for the Real (An Intermission)
The genies, Nirvana, and concern for the lesser angels of humanity.
Thanks to the new subscribers who’ve come along in the last few weeks. This work isn’t free (it takes both time and money), and I couldn’t do it without you.
If you are a non-subscriber, consider joining us for the ride.
As always, no AI was used in the writing or images contained in this piece.
Searching for the Real (An Intermission)
On the sixth day, God took a fistful of dust, spit into it, made a mud pie. He fashioned that mud pie into a figure—an intricate one—then breathed life into it, animated it. Deciding animation was not enough—any robot or pet can move—he gave it personality, agency, and will.
“Human,” God said, and, remembering the history of the already fallen, one angel turned to the next and said, “Is this such a good idea?” The comrade looked down on “Person” waking to his senses, examining his fingers, his toes, the dust of his birth, breathing air, smelling flowers, plucking the fruit, and rolling it around in his hand. “Well, we both know you can’t put the genie back in the bottle,” he said.
And on the 7th day, God rested.
***
Now listen, I’m sure this isn’t how the story went down. I know what you’re thinking: Anthropomorphic spit aside, the inclusion of the genie is historically inaccurate because genies didn’t appear in literature until sometime after 600 AD. (I read your mind, eh?) But this version of history is my version, a version hopped up on artistic license. If it’s heresy?
Mea culpa.
Keep reading with a 7-day free trial
Subscribe to The Examine to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.