Microfiction #2: Two historians are guests on a debate show
Two historians are guests on a debate show. They sit under bright lights while photos parade behind them.
“Dr. Kilkin,” says the avatar host, “you claim these images are genuine. If so, humans were once capable of miraculous feats.”
“Indeed,” Dr. Kilkin says. “In past eras, we did complex calculations with pencil and paper. We ran marathons. We went to the moon!”
“Dr. Shona? Rebuttal?”
Dr. Shona rolls her eyes. “Any so-called ‘artifacts’ originating before official provenance authentication techniques are purely allegorical.”
“Humans do love stories!” the host laughs.
“It’s true,” Dr. Kilkin concedes, “that the ratio of truth to slop makes pre-Acceleration studies difficult. But if you look at the narrative patterns I’ve identified…”
“Do you believe in dinosaurs, too, Dr. Kilkin?” Dr. Shona smirks. “There is overwhelming archeological evidence. Of course, sophisticated forgery fab-kits could print anything to look ancient. Tell us again why your pet theories are different?”
The host’s gaze penetrates. Dr. Kilkin sweats under the lights. He begins to doubt. There was a feeling, deeper than knowledge, but it’s gone.
I’m Jenny. I research and write about people and technology.