The Algorithm's Last Breath • Sci-Fi Bedtime Stories

Much like the increased decline in cognitive health since the COVID-19 pandemic, followed by a rise in phone addiction and AI reliance, this science fiction short story written by Octavia E. Butler in 1983 explores themes of communication and survival following an illness that decimates the population.

Written in 1833 by one of the earliest pioneers of gothic fiction, Mary Shelley writes of a young woman who has been cast out of her house upon the discovery of her secret love affair with the estates son.

Deemed as one of his personal favourite stories he had ever written, Asimov explores humankind’s past, present and future in this science fiction short story that was published in 1956.

A science fiction short story written in 1977 by Isaac Asimov that rings true in our current world surrounding AI psychosis, AI girl/boyfriends, and people willing to give over their cognitive abilities to language models…

A surrealist horror short story written in 1937 by British-Mexican surrealist painter and writer Leonora Carrington. The theme plays with societal and gender expectations, and rebellion against social etiquette of its time.