Probably one of the most discomforting and dreadful short stories and the game based on it that I've ever seen. There was even a comic series that showed the graphical details.
this post was submitted on 09 May 2026
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I haven't read it, but I played the game. Harlan Ellison provided the voice for AM.
Holy fuck, what a bleak story. It's probably worth a read.
Its a short read, highly recommend it!
Holy fuck, what a bleak story. It’s probably worth a read.
Now that AI is evolving so rapidly, reading this short story can be even more exciting than before. I recommend trying it.
Mmmmmmmmhhhh!!!!
Are you happy, Ted?
But to be honest, your comment reminded me of cows. Don't ask why.
I have no cows but I must moo
Damn, your answer sounded like you were working for someone on his farm, but all the cows died. And now...
I used to love that guy's stuff in high school. Now I don't get much out of a re-read.
It's been half a century since I read it, I still have flash backs from it. Reading it will give you PTSD. Especially considering how manipulative and malevolent ai has become. Our current reality arch is leading to this ending.
By the way, I read this book recently, in 2024, and because AI has already appeared, it has greatly strengthened my immersion in history, and since there is now an AI that really feels alive, I sometimes have flashbacks.
Our current reality arch is leading to this ending.
I'm afraid that the AI that we will have, perhaps, will really be able to feel "HATE", by the way, this is the article I found: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy7p1lzvxjro
Well, that's just me, I like to fantasize. But it would be funny if the script from the book was implemented in a very similar way in reality.
That story's still a bit disturbing after more than a decade.
I think it’s a short story and not a book, and I think you botched the title, soooo…maybe start with that?
I have no Mouth, But I must scream
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Have_No_Mouth,_and_I_Must_Scream
OP was off by one word, but you're right in that it's a short story.
I know that I made a little mistake with the title, but for some reason I wanted to make the title exactly like that, and well, how to say, given that paper versions of this story are sold like ordinary books, can you just take it into account in a general template called a book?
It was alright. The video game was better IMO. The Amazing Digital Circus is actually based on it.
For its reputation, the actual story is kind of meh. The point-and-click computer game based on it was pretty good, and has a potentially happier ending (if you do things right). I do think there are segments of the story that are very quotable (mainly just AM), and it’s conceptually interesting.
I thought it was stupid and boring. The basic premise doesn’t make sense and it belaboured the point it was trying to make. For the reputation that the story has gathered, it was a disappointment.
Well, as far as boredom goes, you're right, I was a bit bored to read myself, I was personally hooked on the very idea of this story, and the plot wasn't bad in places, but yes, I was also a little disappointed that this story wasn't as cool as it was praised.
Great short story.
I haven't read it, but I understand the premise. I realise the person who voices the sentiment in the title literally has no mouth but must scream, but I feel like it could apply figuratively. Like "I have no mouth because the State took my ability to communicate online, and I want to rage about the way things are going, now that they finally affect me, but I have no means to do so." Like it's saying, speak up while you still can. I might be missing some nuance from the story, but again, I haven't read it.
Wikipedia says it's only 6500 words, so it would not take long to read it. The short story the film Predestination is based on is shorter or about the same length. The short story the November Rain video is based on (Without You by... I forget the guy's name...) is about that same length. I can read those in under 10 minutes.