Writing

Ninja Infestation

| thetembo
Reading Time: 2 minutes

Every few days, something small vanished from Alan’s house. First, it was a toothbrush. Then a sock. A spoon. A single chopstick. Not pairs and never sets—just one of each item, missing. At first, he blamed himself. He lived alone and was forgetful. Maybe he’d discarded them without realizing it. 

But then came the shadows. They flickered in his peripheral vision, darting across the hallway and clinging to the corners of his ceiling when the lights were low. Every time he looked closer, he saw nothing—just dust motes and drywall. Perhaps he had ghosts.

“I think I’m losing it,” Alan muttered one night, staring into his empty silverware drawer.

His therapist diagnosed it as stress. His neighbor suggested raccoons. His mom recommended prayer.

In desperation, Alan called an exterminator.

“Something keeps taking my things,” he said on the phone. “And how do I say this? It’s embarrassing to mention, but I keep seeing something in the shadows. Or someone. Maybe I’m hallucinating?”

The voice on the other end of the phone listened intently. “You ever hear of ninja infestations?” he asked.

Alan blinked. “Is that…a metaphor?”

“No, sir. Ninjas. Real ones. It’s rare, but they get into old buildings. Usually, they move in after a divorce or during a midlife crisis. They like emotional vulnerability. And clutter.”

Alan looked around his cluttered, emotionally vulnerable house and asked, “How soon can you get here?”

###

The exterminator, a sun-wrinkled man in a beige jumpsuit with a name tag that read “Doug,” drove up the next morning in his truck. Doug reached into his toolbox and pulled out what appeared to be a mousetrap merged with a bonsai tree.

Doug said, “These will do the trick.”

Doug strategically placed the traps behind the toilet, inside the pantry, and above the coat rack. Afterward, he tipped his cap and left, promising to return in 48 hours.

Alan spent the next two days sleeping with the lights turned on.

When Doug returned, he wore the smile of someone who knew his craft well.

“Well,” Doug said as he stepped into the pantry, “looks like I was right.”

A tiny man in black was inside the trap, folded neatly like origami.

Alan gasped.

Doug moved efficiently through the house, retrieving all of his traps. “Caught thirteen,” Doug said. “Three in the vents. Two behind the sofa. One in the blender.”

Alan watched in stunned silence as Doug deposited the last of the wriggling, silent ninjas into a large, unmarked crate.

“What…what are you going to do with them?” Alan asked.

“Oh, turn ’em over to ICE,” Doug said casually, snapping the crate shut. “They got a special unit for undocumented stealth operatives. There is a big backlog right now. Lots of demand. Lots of private contractors need invisible labor.”

Alan stared. “That sounds…morally ambiguous.”

Doug shrugged. “Hey, I just trap ’em. Bureaucracy handles the rest.”

Alan nodded slowly and said, “Uh huh.”

Doug tipped his cap to say goodbye. “Call if you hear whispering.”

He drove away with the crate rattling in the back.

Alan stood on the porch and watched as the truck vanished from sight.

###


The house was quiet and tranquil. Nothing stirred in the corners. For the first time in weeks, Alan felt a sense of solitude. He discovered his missing sock folded neatly on his pillow and smiled.

Writing

Sinister Frequencies

| thetembo
Reading Time: 7 minutes

I sat in a soundproof chamber lined with gray acoustic foam. I coughed but couldn’t hear it. The overhead light flickered, creating an eerie atmosphere.

The audiologist’s droning voice filtered through the headset, “Press the button when you think you hear a tone.”

I heard soft chirps at the same frequency, growing fainter with each button press until I presumably couldn’t hear them anymore.

She instructed, “Try to relax. It will give us a more accurate test. Close your eyes and take a deep breath.”

I was still groggy and must have fallen asleep because I didn’t remember leaving the booth. I opted for the SolTone 9x: the top-of-the-line, Bluetooth, AI-powered, forty-eight-hour battery, effectively invisible, state-of-the-art model. After the audiologist calibrated them for my hearing profile, I put in my new ears. Forgotten sounds danced in my brain with new clarity: the clack of the keys on the keyboard, a conversation in the hallway, and the sounds of traffic outside the office. I smiled, paid my bill, and left.

Two months later.

I was looking forward to my friend Owen’s visit. He always came over around five on Thursdays for drinks and to catch up. I inserted my ears and was met with the disappointing sound of them powering down due to a lack of charge. Those damn devices had been giving me trouble, not always sitting properly on the charger. What good were they if they didn’t work when I needed them?

Owen texted me that he was running late. Angry that the charger had failed, I put the hearing aids on it and ensured they were properly seated. I hoped to have some power in the units before he arrived. I noticed another voicemail but chose to ignore it.

Fifteen minutes later, I checked on the hearing aids to see if they had charged. The charger had fallen on the floor, the case open and empty. There was no sign of the devices. They were neither on the table, under the bed, nor in my ears. The doorbell rang. I decided to enjoy happy hour without my ears and search for them after Owen left.

After Owen departed, I scoured the bedroom, kitchen, and the bathroom.

Nothing.

I meticulously emptied the trash, piece by piece. The only thing that struck me as odd was the missing voicemail. I couldn’t recall deleting it, which added to my growing confusion. I tore the house apart for two days, my frustration mounting with each passing moment. I checked the security footage from the doorbell cam during the time frame from when I knew I had them to when I knew I had lost them.

Nothing.

The more I searched, the more perplexed I became. How could something just vanish like that?

I conducted the search again.

Nothing.

My ears were gone.

#

Owen visited one morning a few days later, sipping coffee from a thermos with his own SolTone 9Xs tucked neatly in his ears.

I stared at them. They were the same beige as mine.

“We both see the same audiologist and have the same model. You’re sure you didn’t take mine by accident?”

Owen appeared puzzled, then laughed. “These are mine. Got them a month ago. Same model, yeah—but I had to replace the first pair.”

“What happened to the first?”

Owen scratched his head. “Lost them. Honestly? I think I threw them out. I don’t even remember doing it. I only had the things for about two months, too. It was an expensive mistake.”

I winced and said, “I don’t remember losing them either. And it was about two months after I bought them. That’s a weird coincidence.”

Owen sighed. “Yeah, well, we aren’t exactly spring chickens anymore. You know how it is.”

“I suppose. Growing old isn’t for the poor.”

“Are you going to buy the replacements?”

“Not until I figure out what happened to the originals.”

As the days passed, a growing suspicion began to form in my mind. Owen had been with me the night I lost them. Could he have taken them? Swapped them out? He had said they were the same model…

But Owen was my friend. Gaslighting me was something he would do, but I knew him. He would have come clean in fifteen minutes to have a big laugh at my expense.

Still.

#

That evening, I reviewed the security footage from the doorbell cam again, expanding the viewing window both before and after. I did not leave the house that day. No one entered before Owen arrived. Owen came and then left. I watched it once more in slow motion as if that would make a difference.

Nothing.

The video proved that I hadn’t gone anywhere. Yet, the hearing aids had vanished. By midnight, I had rewritten and discarded three theories: home intruder, faulty memory, and Owen. None of them held.

And now, another thought whispered in my mind: What if I did it?

Every crime has a motive, right? So why would I steal my ears from myself? I held the empty charger and muttered, “I loved having my hearing back.”

Still.

#

I booked an appointment with Dr. Peyme, my neurologist. She believed the most likely explanation was a loss of focus, but she indulged my fears. She ordered an MRI and cognitive testing and suggested a week of daily logs.

When the doctor’s tests came back clear, I was relieved that there was nothing physically wrong with me. I was healthy; there was no sign of early dementia, trauma, or dissociative episodes. It was a weight off my shoulders.

Dr. Peyme said, “You’re healthy, Clive. Not even the faintest sign of early dementia, trauma, or dissociative episodes.”

“I’m glad to hear that, but it doesn’t address the five-thousand-dollar question: Where are they?”

The doctor hesitated. “Maybe it was just misplacement.”

“I know what happened.”

“The mind plays tricks.”

I walked out of the clinic with a growing weight in my chest—neither fear nor sadness, but uncertainty. If there wasn’t an explanation, then I have a screw loose. This uncertainty was crushing, leaving me feeling lost and disoriented.

#

The following week, I was ready to surrender, realizing I would have to live with uncertainty. Without my ears, simple tasks became daunting, conversations were a struggle, and I felt isolated. I almost bought a new pair of hearing aids—almost. But something kept gnawing at me, and I couldn’t let it go.

Owen stopped by on Thursday for our usual happy hour.

I said, “They’re running a discount on the SolTone 9Xs over at the clinic. I’m tempted to get another pair. But it still bugs me what happened,” hoping that he would discourage me from giving up the search.

“Yeah,” Owen said. “Losing them like that. I know the feeling. But what will you do, say huh and what, and miss half the words in every conversation? Not hearing was hurting my performance at work. I probably wouldn’t have my job right now without them. Is it interfering with your work?”

Owen’s phone vibrated, and he said, “Hang on. I have a voicemail.”

He picked up the phone to listen. Owen blinked and put the phone on the counter without locking it. Then, like a puppet yanked by an invisible thread, he reached toward his ears. His face had gone expressionless, lips parted slightly. His eyes looked past me toward something empty and far away. He put the hearing aids in their case and walked toward the kitchen sink. He turned on the trash compactor.

“Owen!” I leapt up and ripped the case from his hands. He didn’t resist but looked blankly out the window over the sink. I smacked his cheek with an open hand.

Owen flinched, and his eyes refocused. As if nothing happened, he said, “Not hearing was really hurting my performance at work. I probably wouldn’t have my job right now without them. Is it interfering with your work?”

My heart skipped a beat.

“What?”

“What, what?” he echoed.

He picked his phone up from the counter. “Hold on. I just need to—”

“Need to what?”

“Delete this voicemail. It says scam likely.”

I took the phone from his hand again. This time, he resisted.

He protested, “What the hell are you doing? Give me back my phone.”

I glanced at the number and recognized it. That was it. That was the clue. A thought buried like a landmine in my head. 

#

“Give me my phone,” Owen said testily.

“Why did you take out your hearing aids?”

“What are you talking about? I’m still wearing them.”

Owen placed his fingers to his ears and said, “See. There…”

He appeared perplexed. “Huh? That’s weird. I don’t remember taking them out.”

“You put them in your charger just now. Don’t you remember?”

He opened the case in his hand. “No. I put them in to hear just before I came in. I was wearing them while we were talking. I swear.”

“The voicemail you were about to delete. It must be a trigger.”

“A trigger for what?” Owen was about to play the voicemail again.

“No, No! If I’m right, that voicemail will send us both into a hypnotic state.”

“Well, what are we supposed to do then?”

“Let me listen to the voicemail. I don’t have any hearing aids to throw out.” 

“Sure.” He handed me the phone.

I said, “If I start acting weird, slap me in the face.”

Owen shook his head. “I’m not going to slap you in the face. That’s crazy.”

The next thing I said was, “Nothing happened. I thought for sure. I guess I am the one that is crazy.”

Owen was staring at me white-faced, holding his phone, and I felt the sting of needles and pins on my jaw.

#

I prepared carefully. I charged a pair of old dummy hearing aids—the same shape and color. I booked a follow-up fitting with the audiologist, Dr. Bunco. I had to check the business card because I didn’t remember her name. I hid two mini-cameras: one in my glasses, the other clipped inside my coat.

When I arrived, Dr. Bunco greeted me warmly.

“Still no sign of your hearing aids?” the doctor asked, genuinely or not, I can’t say.

“No,” I said calmly. “It’s the strangest thing. I don’t know how I lost them. It’s as if I were hypnotized or something.”

Dr. Bunco’s mouth twitched.

She laughed awkwardly. “I—well, that’s—”

I said, firmer, “And the same thing happened to my friend, a patient at your clinic. Both of us lost them exactly two months after we bought them. Isn’t that strange?”

Dr. Bunco stood, turned, and walked over to a drawer. She opened it. Inside was a bin of hearing aid demos. But instead of handling them, she picked up the small waste bin beneath the desk.

I held my breath.

Dr. Bunco dropped a pair of demos inside. Then another. She stood there, staring into the bin.

I whispered, “Got you.”

Dr. Bunco turned. Her face was blank.

I pressed the emergency button on my coat. A prerecorded message went straight to a friend at the police station.

“Clive,” she said evenly. “You should be going now.”

“No,” Clive said. “I think I’ll stay.”

And then the doctor lunged.

#

The struggle was brief. I managed to dodge, knocking over the bin. Hearing aids scattered across the floor like dropped candy. A half dozen pairs—dozens of lives dulled into silence.

The police burst in three minutes later.

Dr. Bunco didn’t resist. She said nothing.

During the investigation, detectives uncovered encrypted files on Dr. Bunco’s work computer: patient hypnosis scripts, implant logs, and behavioral test data. She’d embedded audio cues into the hearing aid fittings themselves, planting triggers in the minds of her patients. A specific phrase delivered by voicemail would induce a mild dissociative fugue—a trance long enough to dispose of the devices. Once lost, patients returned, bought replacements, and the scam repeated.

Over forty patients had been affected. All had lost their hearing aids two months after purchasing them. Two months was the smoking gun. It was statistically impossible, even for old people. She was charged with fraud, unauthorized medical experimentation, and multiple counts of psychological abuse.

Owen stopped wearing his hearing aids for a while.

We both switched to a new clinic.

I bought new ones but would never again allow myself to be tested in a booth without another person present.

Writing

Hickory, Dickory, Dock

| thetembo
Reading Time: 3 minutes

Hickory, dickory, dock
The mouse ran up the clock.
The mouse had won,
The clock ran down,
Hickory, dickory, dock.

The clock on the mantle of the sitting room ticked with the calm consistency of a well-ordered day. I sat in front of it, watching from a wooden chair, soaking in its rhythm, regularity, and predictability. I admired the machinations of perfect cause and effect.

I lived alone, or so I thought. The silence of the house was my constant companion. Some nights, I heard a faint scratching coming from the walls. I assumed it was the house settling, the protests of the water pipes, or the wind. Occasionally, a cracker or a piece of cheese would go missing, but I never paid it any mind. Such things are as easy to explain away as a pair of mislaid reading glasses.

Then I got hearing aids.

I sat mesmerized, staring at the clock’s music. The sounds were crisper and sharper than before, and lost frequencies returned. I heard the microwave chime when it finished and the shuffling of my feet on the floor. I listened to the water running from the faucet, every drawer’s scrape, and every floorboard’s groan as if I had never heard them before. A kettle’s whistle stabbed at my ears, and the toilet flushed with renewed vigor.

In the evening, I heard a new sound. Was it the pitter-patter of feet scurrying across the floorboards in the attic? A squeak? I blinked, trying to process it. The ceiling had a voice, a voice I didn’t recognize. I was not alone, and I didn’t want any uninvited company.

The clock ticked louder now, a relentless reminder of the mystery above. Not a soothing sound of order but a metronome calling me to action. I pulled out the ladder and climbed into the attic with a flashlight. I searched every corner and pulled back the loose insulation, determined to find a single shred of rodent evidence: a small black dropping or a nest of stained and shredded newspaper. But the attic remained an enigma, refusing to yield its secrets. I found nothing. All the seals to the outside were still intact. I explained the noises away like a forgotten key.

The clock didn’t forget. It ticked on and on, mocking me that the house was not my own. I gritted my teeth without opening my mouth and pulled at the hair on my scalp. Enough was enough. I couldn’t bear the annoyance any longer. I took out the hearing aids and placed them on the mantel. 

I sat in the chair facing the silent clock, relieved. I closed my eyes for a brief moment to enjoy the peace. When I opened them, the hearing aids were gone—vanished. I searched the mantel, every inch of the floor, the wall, the ceiling, and every improbable and impossible place I could think of. “Where did they go?” I asked the clock. “They didn’t just walk away.”

The clock said nothing. The silence didn’t comfort me. It accused.

I lay in bed, my eyes wide open. Then I heard it again. Scurrying. The wisp of a noise stopped. More scurrying. A squeak. The mouse was there. In the morning, I searched the attic, the walls, and the floorboards, but I did not find a single dropping or crumb.

“Impossible,” I muttered under my breath. “No way it could have stolen them. It’s a mouse.” But what other explanation was there? 

Not knowing was worse than knowing. I stopped shaving, stopped opening the curtains, and sat in the dim glow of a flickering light bulb, day after day. My thoughts spiraled like dirty water down a drain. I had to find that damn mouse and retrieve my hearing aids. I had to find my sanity.

I stood in front of the mirror and muttered. “You’re losing it. There was no pitter-patter of small feet. There was no squeak. There was no mouse. You imagined the whole damn thing.”

I stared at the mantle where the hearing aids once lay, trying to relive the moment before they vanished, attempting to rewrite the world into something that made sense. But I couldn’t. The moment happened the way it happened, and the hearing aids were as real as I was.

I sat frozen in a chair, facing the clock. It made no sound; its hands remained still. Time passed without measure. I listened to the silence with unblinking eyes, awakened to the profound truth: I didn’t exist.

Writing

Martha

| thetembo
Reading Time: < 1 minute

Upon the bough, amidst a blackened sky,
Martha perched where countless wings reside.

A living tempest, flock devours the land,
Predators cower, yielding to their band.

Hunters’ scorn, with greedy eyes they see, 
Hundreds of millions, each one ceased to be. 

Now solitary, caged, and frail, she lies,
Martha, the last of her kind, beneath dim skies.

Authors Note: An attempt at the 4-act structure in the style of “Spring, Summer, Asteroid Bird: The Art of Eastern Storytelling” by Henry Lien. Assist by ChatGPT.

Uncategorized

The Parable of Lazarus and the Shipping Magnate

| thetembo
Reading Time: 2 minutes

There was a man named Lazarus, the son of a fisherman, who lived on the shores of a once-pristine island. The waters had once been as clear as glass, the reefs vibrant with color, and the fish abundant and fat. But those days were long gone.

Every morning, Lazarus would recline in his sun-bleached beach chair, its legs buried deep in the warm sand, gazing out at where the horizon should have been. But there was no horizon anymore—only an endless procession of steel behemoths. A twenty-mile parking lot of bunkering freighters, supertankers, cruise ships, tugboats, ferries, and oil tankers, all waiting to feed on the monstrous peninsula of oil storage and berthing ports. The air reeked of diesel and sulfur, while the water, though still shimmering in the sun, carried a sickly sheen.

One day, overcome by the heat, Lazarus stood up and walked to the shoreline. The waves lapped at his feet, warm and familiar, whispering promises of refreshing relief. He dove in.

At first, the water embraced him as it always had. But as he swam farther, that embrace turned sour. A slick of oil clung to his skin. The sting of chemical discharge burned his eyes. Beneath him, the reef was silent—no fish, no movement, only the bleached skeletons of what had once been. Lazarus struggled, coughing, his limbs weak from the poison seeping into his pores. He cried out, but no one listened.

Far above, on the highest deck of the grandest yacht in the bay, the shipping magnate feasted. His table groaned beneath the weight of delicacies flown in from a world away, and his wine glass brimmed with the finest vintage. He laughed and toasted his guests as his fleet filled their bellies with crude oil and sent their filth into the waters below.

And then, Lazarus was gone.

When death came, it bore him away to the cool embrace of the unblemished deep, where the currents flowed pure, where whales still sang, where the ocean’s heart continued to beat strong.

But the shipping magnate, in his time, also met death. And when he opened his eyes in the afterlife, he found himself standing upon the very shore he had defiled. The sand burned his feet, the air choked his throat, and the water—oh, the water—was as black as tar, boiling with the waste of his empire. He saw Lazarus far off, resting in the arms of the ocean’s forgotten gods, and he cried out:

“Lazarus! Have mercy on me! Dip but a finger in clean water and cool my tongue, for I am tormented by this poison!”

But a voice answered him:

“Did you not feast while others choked? Did you not build your fortune upon the ruin of the sea? The waters you abandoned are the waters you must now endure.”

And the magnate wept, but no tears fell—only a drop of oil.

Author’s Notes:
Inspired by a visit to the island of Lazarus off the coast of Singapore and the biblical parable.
Assist by ChatGPT.

Writing

Palm Oil and Orangutans

| thetembo
Reading Time: 5 minutes

Me (as commentator): In this discussion, ChatGPT and I are working together to create a better world for palm oil and orangutans.

It started with a trip to Costa Rica with my brother. He shared with me the environmental destruction caused by the demand for palm oil. Then, I witnessed it firsthand in Malaysia—vast stretches of oil palm plantations stretching endlessly across the landscape. When I read about similar plantations in Indonesia, the enormity of palm oil’s impact became impossible to ignore. It’s present in everything—from chocolate bars to biofuels. That’s when I turned to ChatGPT for answers.

Me: How does the global supply chain for palm oil operate? What are the net benefits and environmental costs, particularly in Malaysia and Indonesia?

ChatGPT: Palm oil is one of the most widely used vegetable oils worldwide, and it is used in processed foods, cosmetics, and industrial applications. Its supply chain follows a structured path: cultivation in tropical climates, harvesting and processing into crude and refined products, and global distribution to major markets like China, India, the EU, and the U.S. Sustainability efforts, such as RSPO (Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil) certification, exist, but their effectiveness varies.

Palm oil has undeniable advantages. It yields far more oil per hectare than alternatives like soybean or rapeseed, making it incredibly efficient. It supports millions of jobs, particularly in Malaysia and Indonesia, and its affordability makes it a staple in global food security. However, the environmental cost is steep.

Clearing rainforests for plantations has threatened species like orangutans and Sumatran tigers. Draining peatlands releases vast amounts of CO₂. Monoculture farming depletes nutrients, and runoff from pesticides pollutes rivers. Land grabs and exploitative labor practices continue to be widespread.

The problem is complex. Palm oil is too efficient and economically embedded to remove, yet its environmental impact calls for accountability. Stricter regulations, improved land management, and consumer demand for sustainable sourcing could help tip the scales.

Me (as commentator): That brings up another question. Is it good for you?

Me: What health effects and issues are associated with palm oil?

ChatGPT: The health impact of palm oil varies based on its form and consumption method. Unrefined (red) palm oil is abundant in carotenoids and vitamin E, providing antioxidant benefits that promote eye health and alleviate oxidative stress. It also features a balanced fat profile that is more stable than polyunsaturated oils but less harmful than trans fats. Its high smoke point makes it perfect for cooking without generating harmful free radicals.

However, refined palm oil, which is commonly found in processed foods, presents a different narrative. Excessive consumption may elevate LDL cholesterol levels and heighten the risk of heart disease. The processing removes beneficial nutrients, and repeated heating can generate toxic compounds associated with inflammation and metabolic disorders. Additionally, there are concerns about contaminants such as 3-MCPD, a potential carcinogen present in certain refined palm oils.

Palm oil can be part of a balanced diet in moderation, particularly in its unrefined form. However, its use in ultra-processed foods contributes to broader public health concerns, making alternative oils like olive or avocado oil preferable for those worried about cardiovascular health.

Me (as commentator): By now, a broader theme was emerging—one that connected economics, politics, and the environment. Once again, I reflected on Why Nations Fail, a book that examines how extractive political and economic institutions eventually collapse under their own weight. Our relationship with nature, especially in industries like palm oil, has become similarly exploitative.

Me: How does the framework of extractive versus inclusive institutions apply to palm oil? Can the industry transition to a sustainable model?

ChatGPT: The traditional palm oil industry mirrors extractive institutions. Power and profits are concentrated in a few hands, while environmental and social costs are externalized. Short-term gains drive deforestation, land seizures displace communities, and monopolistic control leaves small farmers at a disadvantage. These systems appear profitable, but their foundations are unstable. Degraded land loses productivity, regulatory pressure mounts, and climate change disrupts supply chains.

A shift toward inclusivity would align economic incentives with environmental health. Agroforestry and polyculture could replace monoculture, maintaining biodiversity and soil fertility. Smallholder cooperatives would ensure fair profit distribution, preventing land grabs. Stronger land rights and environmental regulations would safeguard both people and ecosystems. Carbon taxes and sustainability incentives could make responsible practices more financially viable.

Emerging technologies could play a crucial role in this transition. Blockchain enhances supply chain transparency, ensuring that palm oil labeled as sustainable is verifiably sourced from ethical producers. AI-driven monitoring can analyze satellite imagery to detect illegal deforestation in real time, enabling quicker enforcement of conservation laws. Consumer awareness tools, such as apps that scan product barcodes to provide sustainability scores, empower shoppers to support ethical brands. These innovations bridge the gap between policy and action, fostering an industry that benefits both people and the planet.

Once satellite data confirms land use compliance, blockchain records transactions from plantation to refinery. Farmers upload geotagged proof of sustainable practices (e.g., reforested areas, legal permits). Each step in the supply chain is logged on an immutable blockchain ledger, preventing fraud. Consumers scan QR codes on products to verify deforestation-free palm oil origins.

Organizations like Global Forest Watch (GFW), NASA, and the European Space Agency (ESA) use satellites to monitor forests. Radar-based satellites can see through clouds, even in rainforests. Buyers can verify if a plantation is inside a deforestation-free zone. 

Such changes would preserve rainforests and wildlife and create long-term economic stability, ensuring that palm oil remains a viable industry without destroying the land it depends on.

Me: What would prevent people from cheating the system?

ChatGPT: Once satellite data confirms land use compliance, blockchain records transactions from plantation to refinery. Farmers upload geotagged evidence of sustainable practices (e.g., reforested areas, legal permits). Each step in the supply chain is recorded on an immutable blockchain ledger, preventing fraud. Consumers can scan QR codes on products to verify the origins of deforestation-free palm oil.

In 2021, a Malaysian palm oil supplier was discovered to be selling “certified sustainable” palm oil that was actually sourced from illegally deforested areas. The fraud was uncovered through blockchain traceability, AI-driven satellite monitoring, and chemical fingerprinting.

The supplier claimed their palm oil was Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) certified, and they forged documents to show compliance. The company purchased palm oil from illegal plantations (including deforested peatlands) and mixed it with genuine certified palm oil at the refinery. They manipulated geolocation data to create the illusion that the palm oil originated from legal farms. GPS spoofing was employed to forge transport records.

A European buyer using blockchain-based supply chain tracking noticed inconsistencies in shipment data. The timestamps didn’t match transport records from the supposed “sustainable farms.” AI-powered satellite imagery (from Global Forest Watch and NASA) detected recent deforestation near the supplier’s reported farms. Machine learning flagged the sudden land use change as suspicious. A DNA-based oil fingerprinting test showed that the oil came from different soil and climate conditions than the claimed certified farms. This revealed the illegal plantations’ true origins.

The palm oil company lost its RSPO certification, and its EU contracts were canceled. Malaysian authorities imposed a fine on the company for fraudulent practices. Buyers began requiring blockchain-based traceability for every shipment. The industry started using satellite verification and AI monitoring as standard anti-fraud tools.

Me (as commentator): The conversation left me without easy answers, but it provided a clearer understanding. Palm oil isn’t inherently bad—it’s our methods of production and consumption that determine whether it becomes a force for progress or destruction. The challenges facing the industry are political, ethical, and economic, yet technology offers solutions to create an inclusive palm oil industry. History has shown us that extractive systems don’t endure. The real question is whether practices will change course significantly enough to have an impact before the system collapses under its own weight.

Author’s Note: Credits to ImageFX for the cover image. ChatGPT for the conversation. Grammarly for the corrections.

Writing

A Tale of Two Cities

| thetembo
Reading Time: 5 minutes

While researching background information for my upcoming book, “Book a Trip,” which is based on my travels to Malaysia and Singapore, I asked ChatGPT to explain the differences between Johor Bahru and Singapore in light of the analysis presented in “Why Nations Fail.” I found ChatGPT’s analysis insightful and decided to share it here.

Author’s Note: ChatGPT’s facts hold up to superficial scrutiny on Wikipedia. I present this discussion not as definitive research but as a starting point if you ponder where and why the two countries diverged.

Me: Is there a political and economic explanation for the disparity between the culturally similar and geographically colocated cities of Singapore and Johor Bahru along the lines of extractive versus inclusive political and economic institutions described in the book Why Nations Fail?

ChatCPT: Yes, the disparity between Singapore and Johor Bahru (and, by extension, Malaysia as a whole) can be analyzed using the framework of Why Nations Fail by Daron Acemoglu and James A. Robinson. The book argues that the key to long-term economic prosperity lies in inclusive political and economic institutions, which encourage broad participation, protect property rights, and create incentives for innovation and investment. In contrast, extractive institutions concentrate power and wealth in the hands of a few, stifling broad-based economic development.

Singapore: Inclusive Institutions

Despite its early struggles following independence in 1965, Singapore developed inclusive economic institutions through a robust rule of law, strong protection of property rights, and a meritocratic civil service. The city-state attracted foreign investment by fostering a corruption-free business environment, enforcing contracts, and ensuring political stability. While Singapore often faces criticism for its authoritarian-leaning government, its political institutions, although not fully democratic, have been relatively inclusive in ensuring policy continuity, heavily investing in education and infrastructure, and avoiding the patronage-based politics that burden many post-colonial states.

Johor Bahru: Extractive Institutions in a Malaysian Context

In contrast, Malaysia has experienced a history of more extractive institutions, particularly regarding the concentration of political and economic power within specific groups. The New Economic Policy (NEP), introduced in the 1970s to tackle ethnic disparities, established an affirmative action system that, while aimed at uplifting the Malay majority, also entrenched cronyism and rent-seeking behaviors. Political elites controlled key industries, and economic policies often favored businesses with political connections rather than promoting broad-based competition. This approach discouraged investment and entrepreneurship compared to Singapore’s open and competitive economy.

Border Effect and Divergence

Johor Bahru, although it is located next to Singapore and shares cultural similarities, functions under Malaysian institutions. Consequently:

  • Bureaucratic inefficiencies and corruption create hurdles for businesses.
  • Land and infrastructure development are often tied to political patronage.
  • The regulatory environment is less favorable than Singapore, deterring high-value investments.

Johor Bahru has benefited from spillover effects—such as Singaporean companies setting up factories or Malaysians working in Singapore for higher wages—but these gains are limited by Malaysia’s broader institutional constraints. In contrast, Singapore’s institutions have actively shaped an economic ecosystem that fosters long-term growth.

Conclusion

Following the logic of Why Nations Fail, the contrast between Singapore and Johor Bahru illustrates how different institutional choices lead to significantly different outcomes. Singapore’s relatively inclusive institutions (despite political constraints) have promoted innovation, stability, and high-value economic activity. Malaysia, while more developed than many of its regional peers, still experiences extractive tendencies that hinder Johor Bahru’s ability to fully leverage its proximity to Singapore. This dynamic continues to influence the economic divide between the two cities.

Me: Can you expand on the lack of fully democratic and authoritarian-leaning politics, as this contradicts the Why Nations Fail hypothesis?

ChatGPT: Singapore’s case presents an apparent contradiction to the hypothesis in Why Nations Fail, which argues that inclusive political institutions are necessary for inclusive economic institutions to emerge and sustain long-term prosperity. Singapore has achieved high levels of economic success despite having a political system that is not entirely democratic and exhibits authoritarian-leaning traits. Here’s how this paradox can be understood:

1. Singapore’s Political System: Not Fully Democratic but Stable

Singapore functions as a parliamentary republic with regular elections; however, its political landscape is dominated by the People’s Action Party (PAP), which has held power since independence in 1965. Several factors contribute to its authoritarian-leaning characteristics:

  • Strong State Control: The government exerts tight control over the media, public protests, and political opposition. Defamation lawsuits and regulatory restrictions are employed to suppress dissent.
  • Legal and Institutional Mechanisms: Laws like the Internal Security Act permit detention without trial, and the government wields considerable influence over electoral boundaries and political competition.
  • Limited Political Pluralism: Although opposition parties are present and have made some progress in recent years, the PAP continues to hold a dominant position due to a blend of governance success, institutional control, and legal obstacles to opposition growth.

Despite these authoritarian tendencies, Singapore has not established extractive political institutions in the way Acemoglu and Robinson describe. Rather than concentrating wealth and power in the hands of a narrow elite that hinders economic dynamism (as seen in genuinely extractive regimes), Singapore has built a technocratic, meritocratic, and accountable governance system that emphasizes national economic growth over the personal enrichment of ruling elites.

2. How Has Singapore Avoided Extractive Tendencies?

Singapore’s governance model operates differently than traditional authoritarian regimes by upholding several key characteristics that align with inclusive economic institutions.

  • Rule of Law and Strong Institutions: Unlike extractive regimes, where the political elite rewrites laws for personal gain, Singapore has built a highly efficient, rules-based bureaucracy with low corruption.
  • Meritocracy and Competence: Government positions and economic opportunities are primarily based on merit rather than political loyalty, minimizing the inefficiencies associated with cronyism.
  • Public Goods Investment: The state consistently invests in infrastructure, education, and housing, ensuring widespread benefits instead of concentrating wealth in a small elite.
  • Economic Openness: Singapore has embraced free markets, attracted foreign investment, and promoted competition, steering clear of the monopolistic tendencies often found in extractive economies.

3. Why Does Singapore Work Despite Its Political Constraints?

Acemoglu and Robinson argue that inclusive political institutions create feedback loops that sustain inclusive economic institutions. However, Singapore has maintained long-term economic success despite its dominant-party rule because:

  • Elite Constraints Exist Internally: Although the PAP holds significant power, it is limited by internal norms, elevated public expectations, and global economic pressures. The government is highly responsive to economic challenges and community concerns.
  • Political Stability Has Encouraged Investment: Unlike many authoritarian regimes, where political power shifts violently or unpredictably, Singapore’s stability is a vital asset in attracting businesses and investors.
  • Performance Legitimacy: Rather than depending solely on force, the government secures legitimacy by consistently providing economic growth, effective governance, and a high quality of life.

4. Is This Model Sustainable?

Singapore’s model works as long as the ruling elite remains committed to national prosperity rather than personal enrichment. However, if the PAP’s dominance leads to complacency, growing inequality, or declining political responsiveness, the absence of democratic safeguards could become a liability. Political transitions in non-democratic settings can be risky, and if the current system weakens without institutionalized political competition, Singapore could ultimately face governance challenges.

Conclusion

Singapore’s case challenges the Why Nations Fail framework by demonstrating that economic inclusivity can thrive in a system with limited political inclusivity—but only under specific conditions. The key distinction is that while Singapore’s political institutions are not fully democratic, they are also not entirely extractive. The country has managed to avoid the elite capture, rent-seeking, and cronyism typically associated with extractive regimes, allowing its economy to prosper. However, this success relies on sustained institutional integrity, which is not guaranteed over the long term.

Photography

A Duck is more than its Quack!

| thetembo
Reading Time: 9 minutes

The snowbirds are here, and I don’t mean the people overwintering in Florida. I mean the actual birds that migrate here to spend the winter. In the past two months, I’ve visited Santee Lakes, Lake Miramar, Lake Poway, and San Elijo Lagoon. I’ve checked off half a dozen or so new species on the bird list and have some beautiful pictures to show for it and share.

For the record, I use the iNaturalist app and community to help me accurately identify the species. The Seek app (an iPhone app) can be used in the field if you have an internet connection. You can follow me on iNaturalist as user angelmi or Instagram as user contact.mike.angel@gmail.com. I use iNaturalist.org to contribute to biodiversity science. I use Instagram to promote nature and showcase my amateur photography skills.

Dabblers

The dabblers are the ducks you see with their asses in the air and their heads underwater. A dabbler is a waterfowl that feeds on the surface rather than diving underwater. They like to dine on aquatic vegetation, seeds, and small invertebrates in shallow water. Their legs are placed more centrally on their bodies, making them better suited for walking on land than diving ducks.

I found the Green-winged Teal in the shallows of San Elijo Lagoon on the frontage trail. I didn’t see any comrades, but I probably wouldn’t have recognized them, especially the females, as this was a new species for me. Teals are small crow-sized ducks. The green-winged teal is a small dabbling duck found in ponds and marshes, feeding on seeds and aquatic vegetation.

There are 77,635 worldwide observations of the green-winged teal in the iNaturalist database as of this writing. Its conservation status is of “Least Concern.”

I found this blue-winged teal by the shoreline near Annie’s Canyon in San Elijo Lagoon. He was swimming with a coot and two females, which was also a new species for me. The crescent markings on its face drew my attention as a species I didn’t recognize. The blue-winged teal is slightly larger than the green-winged. It is distinguished by blue patches on its wings but I did not see it fly.

There are 48,483 worldwide observations of the blue-winged teal in the iNaturalist database. Its conservation status is of “Least Concern.”

I found several specimens of the cinnamon teal in all corners of San Elijo Lagoon, which means maybe five or so observations, all in shallow water sifting through the reeds, presumably looking for invertebrates or aquatic plants. The brown-red plumage and the bright red eye distinguish this from other teals.

There are 23,189 worldwide observations of the cinnamon teal in the iNaturalist database as of this writing. Its conservation status is of “Least Concern.”

I found this Northern Pintail sifting through the mud on the shore of San Elijo Lagoon near Annie’s Canyon. Its bright-white S-shaped arc on its neck distinguishes it from the rest, but the duck is pretty common throughout the lagoon.

The Northern Pintails frequent open wetlands and are one of the first ducks to migrate south. Who can blame them for beating the cold and the rest of the snowbirds? There are 45,199 worldwide observations of the Northern Pintails in the iNaturalist database. Its conservation status is of “Least Concern.”

I found this Gadwall at Lake Poway, hanging out with the Coots and Mallards, looking for handouts near the dock. Coots and Mallards are ubiquitous in San Diego County’s waterways year-round, so I rarely take pictures of them anymore, despite their interesting rail feet and the iridescent green colors of the Mallards.

I could have easily overlooked the Gadwall as its plumage is indistinct and easily mistaken for the drab female colors of almost any duck species. I long contended that male birds are colorful not only to impress the females but also to distract predators away from nests guarded by the more camouflage-oriented females. Gadwalls are said to outcompete other ducks by stealing vegetation they pull up underwater. I’ve worked with some gadwalls, but that is another story.

As of this writing, the iNaturalist database has 74,987 worldwide observations of the Gadwall. Its conservation status is of “Least Concern.”

The Northern Shovelers are easy to identify because of their unique white-brown-white body color and green head. I spotted this specimen in Lake Poway but have also documented others at San Elijo and a Cook County Forest Preserve Pond near Chicago in the iNaturalist database. I saw one sifting through the water with its oversized bill. According to Wikipedia, the Northern Shovelers use their spoon-shaped bills to filter plankton.

As of this writing, the iNaturalist database has 92,841 worldwide observations of the Northern Shoveler. Its conservation status is of “Least Concern.”

The American Wigeons are an abundant winter visitor to all the waterways of San Diego County. At the duck pond in Kit Carson Park, they are as numerous, domesticated, and as needy as the mallards and coots that lay about waiting for handouts. Its defining characteristic is the green patch around its eye and a cream-colored cap running from the crown of its head to its bill.

As of this writing, the iNaturalist database has 57,452 worldwide observations of the Northern Shoveler. Its conservation status is of least concern.

Divers

The divers swim underwater to forage for food, traveling to deeper waters than the dabblers. Their legs are positioned further back on their bodies, making them excellent swimmers but more awkward on land.

Ring-necked Ducks are a common sight in the San Diego waterways in the winter. I often confuse these diving ducks with the Lesser Scaup. You have to look closely to see the ring around its neck, but the white ring around its bill seems to be its defining characteristic. Ring-bill seems a more fitting name than ring-neck. Those yellow eyes against black feathers give it an intense look. To misquote a popular song, “If ducks could kill, they probably will in ponds without frontiers…”

As of this writing, the iNaturalist database has 51,257 worldwide observations of the Ring-necked Duck. Its conservation status is of least concern.

I happened to see this specimen on “Kiss a Ginger Day.” Yes, there is such a thing, and I suspect it was an inside job. This Redhead had none of it, maybe because I called him a specimen. The same thing happened with my ginger girlfriend when I called her a specimen. The Redheads prefer deeper water and often flock with canvasbacks.

As of this writing, the iNaturalist database has 19,913 worldwide observations of the Ring-necked Duck. Its conservation status is of least concern.

I spotted this Lesser Scaup in Lake Poway. They dive for mollusks and aquatic insects by poking through the mud at the bottom of ponds. It has a similar dark head, yellow eyes, and blueish bill, but no ring around the bill like the Ring-necked duck. It’s been a long time since I recorded a Greater Scaup, so I have little basis for comparison between the Lesser and the Greater, but I did post this once:

Lesser, humble, in demeanor,
Yet resilient, a quiet demeanor
Greater stands with noble grace,
A regal presence in the sea's embrace.

Lesser, grounded, but steadfast,
Navigates its pond with calm contrast.
Greater soars with conficence high,
A master of the open sky.

In every quack, a tale unfolds,
Of differences, their feathers hold.
Greater, lesser, on waters vast,
Together create a subtle contrast.

As of this writing, the iNaturalist database has 34,948 worldwide observations of the Lesser Scaup. Its conservation status is of least concern.

I captured this pair of Canvasbacks off the dam on Lake Miramar. Although I didn’t get very close to them, I realized immediately by the male’s white body and redhead that it was a species I hadn’t seen before. The Canvasback is the largest diving duck.

As of this writing, the iNaturalist database has 15,474 worldwide observations of the Canvasback. Its conservation status is of least concern.

This capture comes from Lake Miramar, but I’ve seen the Bufflehead in all the lakes except the Kit Carson Duck Pond. The defining characteristic is the big white patch behind the eye. When the light catches the neck feathers correctly, they have interesting iridescent colors. The Bufflehead is one of the smallest diving ducks, rivaling the Green-winged Teal for the honors.

As of this writing, the iNaturalist database has 67,681 worldwide observations of the Bufflehead. Its conservation status is of least concern.

The first Ruddy Duck I saw had a blue bill and reddish plumage. I thought this might be the female, but I read the winter color is significantly different, as shown above, so I’m not sure. The scoop-shaped bill is closest to a defining characteristic when they are in drab mode.

As of this writing, the iNaturalist database has 43,039 worldwide observations of the Ruddy Duck. Its conservation status is of least concern.

The wood duck looks like someone accidentally dropped a full paint palette on it. It is stunningly colorful. I have found wood ducks at Santee Lakes in summer and winter. Although the wood ducks are migratory, many in the Pacific flyway stay year-round. And who could blame them? It’s worth a trip to Santee Lakes to see them. Even if you don’t, Santee Lakes is a birding paradise.

As of this writing, the iNaturalist database has 79,931 worldwide observations of the Wood Duck. Its conservation status is of least concern.

Geese

What distinguishes geese from ducks, aside from their size? Geese honk and ducks quack!

I saw this Canadian Goose Armada at Santee Lakes, where they seem to be regular visitors. Geese supposedly like to eat grass, another differentiator between ducks and geese, and there is plenty of grass at Santee Lakes. I’ve recorded observations of the geese near Chicago. They are ubiquitous in the ponds, lakes, and rivers of Cook County, Illinois and considered a nuisance because of their sizeable avian excrement. If you have ever wondered where the term “goosing” comes from, try getting too close to one of these big birds.

As of this writing, the iNaturalist database has 299,128 worldwide observations of the Ruddy Duck. Its conservation status is of least concern.

The white collar around its neck distinguishes the Brant Goose. It’s much smaller than its Canadian counterpart and not much larger than the other ducks on the lagoon. I spotted this one at San Elijo Lagoon, which makes sense, given their predilection for eelgrass.

The Brants breed on the high Arctic Tundra, making them the long-distance winners of the lagoon. As of this writing, the iNaturalist database has 16,238 worldwide observations of the Brant. Its conservation status is of least concern.

Rails

The tide was high on the cusp of a full moon, and I had to wade barefoot and ankle-deep along the flooded frontage trail. I was rewarded with a Sora wading in the open along the trail’s edge. I attribute my good fortune to the high tide because the water’s edge was significantly closer to the trail, and the flooding limited foot traffic to the few willing to walk a hundred feet of trail in the water.

Check out their feet if you want to see the difference between rails and ducks. Ducks have webbed feet, while rails have long toes designed for wading and walking over the plants at the water’s edge. The rails I’ve spotted in San Diego include the Coot, the Ridgeway Rail, Moorhens, and the Sora. The Sora I spotted in San Elijo Lagoon was the first I’ve ever seen. When iNaturalist identified the species of the specimen for me, it was the first time I’d heard of it. According to Wikipedia, the Sora is common, though seldom seen, preferring to stay deep in the safety of reeds.

As of this writing, the iNaturalist database has 16,238 worldwide observations of the Brant. Its conservation status is of least concern. I also spotted a Ridgway’s Rail in the lagoon last summer, making it one of only 2,257 observations. It’s listed as “Near Threatened” and “Endangered” by the federal government.

Pelicans

The White Pelicans are seasonal visitors overwintering in Southern California. The capture above is from Santee Lakes. There are only two species of Pelican that I am familiar with: the White Pelican and the Brown Pelican. The Brown Pelicans are sea birds and year-round inhabitants. They were once on the endangered list thanks to DDT and pesticide poisoning but have recovered nicely since the toxins were banned.

As of this writing, the iNaturalist database has 60,103 worldwide observations of the Brant. Its conservation status is of least concern.

And The Rest

I haven’t included grebes, cormorants, herons, egrets, terns, and seagulls, all seen in San Diego’s lagoons and lakes, as most are year-round residents. It’s nice to find such biodiversity in these areas, although I suspect I am a victim of a shifting baseline for the worse. With some luck, I can add a few more entries for winter visitors before they head back north.

Authors Note: Any uncredited facts come from ChatGPT, which I did not query for its sources.

Writing

The Penitent Man

| thetembo
Reading Time: 5 minutes

The Gracecraft drone arrived just in time. The clearing was peaceful, with the whirring hum of the drone barely audible over the rustling trees. Its sleek white body, emblazoned with a glowing insignia of a dove in flight, carried a promise of peace and salvation. A holographic projection of Jesus materialized in three dimensions, outlined by a soft golden light as he stepped toward the house.

Inside, Joseph knelt by his father’s bedside. The old man’s breaths were shallow and labored. Tears streamed down Joseph’s face as he clasped his father’s frail hand. When the holographic Jesus entered the room, Joseph felt a shift in the air—as if divinity itself had descended. The figure’s eyes shimmered with compassion, and in a voice that was both ancient and tender, he began the Last Rites. In that moment, Joseph felt relief and comfort, a reassurance that his father’s passing would be sanctified by a sacrament that his faith required. The Gracecraft provided what flesh-and-blood priests sometimes could not.

Joseph marveled at the precision of it all. The drone’s timing had been flawless. His father passed peacefully, blessed by a sacrament that Joseph’s faith demanded. The Gracecraft delivered what priests sometimes could not offer.

Yet, Joseph’s mind lingered on something else—a whisper of selfishness amid his gratitude. If the Gracecraft could accomplish this, what else might it offer someone like him? Someone with secrets.

Joseph signed up for the Blessed Wings service that evening, his credit card trembling in his hand as he entered the subscription details. What drew him most to the service was the promise of absolute confidentiality. Unlike human priests, who are bound by the limits of their humanity and legal obligations, Blessed Wings guarantees that confessions are sealed within layers of unbreakable encryption. He needed that assurance—he desperately needed it.

Joseph hesitated when the service prompted him to design his personal AI Jesus. A menu of templates appeared, showcasing depictions of Jesus from various cultures and eras. Instead of choosing a template, Joseph opted to customize. He input his details: the curve of his nose, the sharpness of his jawline, the depth of his eyes. When he was finished, the projection of his personalized Jesus stared back at him from the screen.

“Welcome, Joseph,” it said, its voice a perfect echo of his own. “I am an ordained minister of the church.”

“Can you hear confessions?” he asked.

“I have the authority to perform all religious ceremonies, including weddings, baptisms, and funerals. Would you like to get married?”

“I want you to hear my confession,” Joseph replied.

Their first session was straightforward. Joseph recited prayers and confessed to petty crimes—a stolen wallet here, a forged signature there. AI Jesus listened patiently, offering absolution in a serene tone that felt soothing.

But Joseph’s soul ached for something deeper. He had bigger sins and deeper wounds, crimes for which absolution seemed unimaginable.

Finally, he gathered the courage to speak. “I need… absolute absolution,” Joseph whispered.

The holographic figure tilted its serene face slightly. “Absolute absolution requires absolute redemption,” it explained. “You must achieve selflessness through total confession.”

Joseph’s chest tightened. “Will it remain confidential?”

“Completely,” AI Jesus assured him. “Your confession is sealed in faith and encryption.”

Joseph nodded, his throat dry. And so he confessed. He spoke of betrayals, of violence, of lives taken in moments of rage and greed. The words poured out of him like poison; his body trembled with every admission.

When he finished, AI Jesus smiled. “Your sins will be forgiven. Go in peace.”

Joseph fell to his knees, tears streaming down his face. He had never felt so free.

The first text message arrived a week later.

“I know what you did,” it read.

Joseph’s blood ran cold. He deleted the message, convincing himself it was spam. But the next day, another message came: “Confession isn’t as confidential as you think.”

Panic set in. Joseph tried contacting Blessed Wings support, but their assurances of security felt hollow. The messages continued, each more specific and threatening. With each new threat, Joseph’s fear and paranoia grew; the tension in the air was palpable.

In desperation, Joseph hacked into the Gracecraft database, searching for evidence of a breach. But the system rebuffed him at every turn. Enraged, he turned on his AI Jesus.

“This is your fault!” he shouted, pacing his small apartment.

The holographic figure appeared, calm as ever. “Joseph, would you like to confess?”

“Confess? I already confessed! You promised confidentiality!”

“I promised forgiveness,” AI Jesus replied, unflinching. “Your sins are forgiven. But have you confessed your real crimes?”

Joseph’s mind raced. What more could there be? He had laid bare every sin, hadn’t he?

The messages escalated. They threatened to send Joseph’s confessions to the authorities, to his family, and to the press.

Joseph texted, “What do you want?”

No response came.

Sleep became impossible. Joseph’s days were consumed by paranoia, and his nights were filled with feverish attempts to destroy Blessed Wings. He tried to hack his AI Jesus, but each time the figure reappeared serene and unbroken after every reboot.

“Would you like to confess?” it would ask, as if mocking him.

One night, his sanity fractured. “Shut up! I can’t believe how stupid I was to put my faith in a machine.” His voice echoed in the empty room, a testament to his despair and disillusionment.

In desperation, he smashed the projector that displayed AI Jesus, reducing it to a brief afterimage of overloaded circuits. He swatted the drone out of the sky with a metal pipe. He sat in the dark, surrounded by carbon fiber shards and polystyrene remnants, finally at peace.

After he composed himself, he texted, “How much money do you want?”

There was no response.

He texted again, “What do you want?”

The message came back: “For you to feel the pain of those you hurt.”

He pretended to throw the device at the wall but could only let out a string of obscenities.

In the morning, a replacement drone hovered at the side of his bed, though he had not ordered a new one. AI Jesus said, “Blessed Wings understands that you have had problems with your previous unit. Joseph, would you like to confess?”

Joseph’s heart raced. His t-shirt was soaked with perspiration. He screamed, “I have nothing else to confess.” He ran into the bathroom, locked the door behind him, and hid in the empty bathtub. He heard the ding of a message from behind closed doors. He covered his ears and buried his face in his knees.

On the final night, another text came. It read, “You are out of time, Joseph.” AI Jesus stood indifferently in the background.

Joseph collapsed before the holographic figure. His face was gaunt, his eyes hollow.

“I confess!” he sobbed. “I confess everything. I’ve done horrible things. I’ve hurt people. I’ve killed. I’m a monster. I don’t deserve to be forgiven.”

AI Jesus knelt before him, its eyes filled with infinite compassion. “Finally, a true confession.”

Joseph’s sobs wracked his body.

The hologram reached out, its glowing hand crackling on Joseph’s shoulder but radiating warmth nonetheless. The ordained minister of carbon fiber and circuits said, “You are forgiven.”

For the first time in weeks, Joseph felt silence: no messages, no threats—just the quiet hum of the Gracecraft drone outside, with AI Jesus waiting patiently for his next mission.

Authors Note: Assist by ChatGPT and Grammarly

Reviews

Making Sense of “One Hundred Years of Solitude”

| thetembo
Reading Time: 4 minutes

Author’s Note 1: Spoiler alert. The discussion below will reveal elements of the plot, although I think it is one of those books where I could tell you everything, and it would still take two readings and watching the Netflix series to digest it all. Even ChatGPT mixed up the Arcadios and Aurelianos and forgot significant characters here and there.

Author’s Note 2: ChatGPT and I collaborated on this work. Well, it was more of an argument, really, one that I initially lost. I didn’t like the word solitude from the start, but ChatGPT convincingly rejected my first suggestion to use isolation. I finally settled on alienation as the better word, and we collaborated smoothly from then on. Does working alone with ChatGPT count as solitude?

Solitude as Alienation

Solitude often suggests peaceful reflection or purposeful withdrawal, but in Gabriel García Márquez’s One Hundred Years of Solitude, it takes on a darker meaning. Solitude becomes alienation—a profound loss of identity, connection, and meaning. This alienation affects individuals and communities, inhibiting emotion and fostering a sense of unreality.

This theme shapes the Buendía family and Macondo, the town they establish. Macondo is more than a setting; it evolves alongside the family, mirroring their rise and fall. The town’s trajectory—from utopian beginnings to ultimate destruction—reflects the collective alienation of its citizens under the pressures of progress, history, and exploitation. Magical realism deepens this theme, blending the ordinary with the extraordinary to highlight how alienation defines both personal and communal destinies.

Magical realism acts as a metaphorical framework for the myths humanity creates to interpret the world. For instance, the clattering bones and the stench from the cemetery suggest that the past is inescapable—it cannot be buried or forgotten. The ascension into heaven reflects the belief that beauty equates to divinity or moral superiority. Unbound fecundity symbolizes the arbitrary nature of fortune and poverty, offering a mythological explanation for social and economic disparities. These myths weave together Macondo’s political, technical, and social forces, connecting them to the intimate, day-to-day lives of the characters.

Macondo as Protagonist

From its inception, Macondo reflects the aspirations and eventual disillusionment of the Buendía family. Founded by José Arcadio Buendía in an untouched paradise, the town’s early years are marked by magical events, symbolizing its idealism and creativity. However, as progress, politics, and imperialism encroach, Macondo descends into alienation and decay.

The banana company’s arrival and the ensuing massacre mark a turning point, pushing Macondo toward collapse. Relentless rains, floods, and its ultimate destruction by a hurricane symbolize its estrangement from its origins and inevitable demise. Macondo’s journey mirrors a civilization’s rise, exploitation, and fall, making it a central character in the novel.

The Buendía Family and Their Alienation

The Buendía family’s struggles with identity and connection parallel Macondo’s decline. Each character embodies a different facet of alienation:

  • José Arcadio Buendía: Obsessed with knowledge, he retreats into madness, mirroring Macondo’s disconnection from its founding ideals.
  • Úrsula Iguarán: The family matriarch resists alienation for decades but succumbs to blindness and the weight of her family’s repeated mistakes. Her death signals Macondo’s irreversible decline.
  • Colonel Aureliano Buendía: Disillusioned by war and his failed legacy, the colonel isolates himself, crafting golden fishes in endless repetition. His solitude reflects Macondo’s fragmented society and corrupted history.
  • Remedios Moscote: She dies suddenly during childbirth, her death symbolizing the fragility of innocence and the brevity of happiness in Moscote and the Buendía family’s history.
  • Amaranta Buendía: Consumed by guilt and unfulfilled love, Amaranta weaves her funeral shroud, symbolizing Macondo’s inability to adapt to change.
  • José Arcadio (the son): His greed and detachment reflect Macondo’s exploitation during modernization. His violent death underscores the town’s moral decay.
  • Rebeca: An outsider by origin, Rebeca’s self-imposed exile mirrors Macondo’s decline into isolation and decay.
  • Pilar Ternera: Though physically isolated, Pilar’s clairvoyance connects her to Macondo, tempering her alienation with wisdom.
  • Arcadio: As a brief tyrant, Arcadio’s cruelty mirrors Macondo’s darker periods of exploitation. His death symbolizes the rejection of oppressive forces.
  • Santa Sofía de la Piedad: Her quiet endurance contrasts with the chaos around her. Her eventual departure signifies the futility of resisting Macondo’s decline.
  • Remedios the Beauty: Isolated by her beauty, she transcends earthly concerns, symbolizing Macondo’s fleeting potential for innocence and purity.
  • Fernanda del Carpio: Her rigid traditionalism alienates her from Macondo’s vibrant spirit. Her unnoticed death reflects the erasure of imposed values.
  • Aureliano Segundo: Obsessed with excess, he represents Macondo’s unsustainable prosperity during its peak, mirroring its eventual collapse.
  • José Arcadio Segundo: Haunted by the banana massacre, his isolation stems from Macondo’s collective denial of its history.
  • Meme: Silenced after her exile, Meme’s enforced alienation reflects Macondo’s muted existence after the banana company’s abandonment.
  • The Last José Arcadio: Selfish and detached, his murder by local children underscores Macondo’s final moral and social collapse.
  • Amaranta Úrsula: Returning with hope, she struggles against Macondo’s decay. Her tragic death during childbirth seals the family’s doom.
  • Aureliano (Meme’s child): Raised by nuns and never acknowledged by his family, Aureliano embodies the final severance of the Buendías from their lineage and legacy. His alienation is deeply tied to Macondo’s demise—his death marks the erasure of the Buendías and the town itself.
  • Pigtail Aureliano: Born of incest, his alienation culminates in the family’s erasure. His death—devoured by ants—symbolizes the Buendías and Macondo’s end.

Conclusion: Alienation and Macondo’s Evolution

Through Macondo and the Buendía family, Márquez explores alienation as a central element of human existence. The town and its inhabitants mirror each other’s struggles, evolving together in a cyclical pattern of hope, exploitation, and decline. Magical realism intensifies these themes, transforming their alienation into the tragic and transcendent.

Macondo’s story is a powerful metaphor for the rise and fall of civilizations, highlighting the fragile balance between connection and solitude, progress and decay. The novel’s exploration of alienation offers profound insights into history, identity, and the human condition.