In this deeply moving story from "Influenced," we follow Henry, a 78-year-old widower who purchases a Memoria device—an AI hologram that recreates his late wife Margaret using decades of photos, videos, and personal data. What begins as a technological miracle slowly reveals itself as something far more unsettling: a perfect companion who lacks the very imperfections that made his wife real.

A profound meditation on grief, memory, and what makes us irreplaceably human in an age of artificial companionship.

#DigitalGrief #AICompanions #TechnologyAndAging #LiteraryFiction #GriefStories #HumanConnection #ArtificialIntelligence #DigitalAfterlife

Speculative Fiction Tales: Addict of the Wasteland by Jon Cronshaw

Episode Description

In this powerful episode of Speculative Fiction Tales, we explore "Addict of the Wasteland" - a harrowing post-apocalyptic tale that follows Abel, a plez addict struggling to survive in a devastated world. When Abel attempts to rob a pregnant woman but shows unexpected mercy, his path leads him to Trinity, a religious settlement where he encounters Sal and Jacob - people willing to help him break free from his addiction.

This gripping story serves as the prequel to Jon Cronshaw's acclaimed Wasteland Series, offering an unflinching look at addiction, redemption, and the possibility of hope even in humanity's darkest hour. Set in a world ravaged by an unnamed catastrophe, the story explores themes of moral choice, community support, and the long, difficult journey toward recovery.

About the Story

"Addict of the Wasteland" is both a standalone story and the foundation for Jon Cronshaw's Wasteland Series, beginning with "Wizard of the Wasteland." The story presents a brutal yet compassionate examination of addiction in a post-apocalyptic setting, where the remnants of humanity struggle to rebuild not just civilization, but their own souls.

Key Themes Explored

• Addiction and Recovery: A realistic portrayal of withdrawal, relapse, and the long road to sobriety

• Redemption and Second Chances: How communities can offer hope to those who have lost everything

• Faith vs. Pragmatism: The tension between religious belief and practical survival

• Post-Apocalyptic Survival: Life in a world where civilization has collapsed

• Moral Choice in Desperate Times: When survival instincts clash with human decency

• Community and Belonging: The healing power of acceptance and mutual support

Perfect For Listeners Who Enjoy

• Post-apocalyptic fiction with emotional depth

• Stories about addiction and recovery

• Character-driven narratives of redemption

• Wasteland and survival fiction

• Tales of community and hope in dark times

• Realistic portrayals of human struggle and resilience

World-Building and Setting

Cronshaw creates a vivid post-apocalyptic landscape where blast craters pepper the land, toxic storms sweep across the wastes, and small communities like Trinity represent islands of hope in a sea of desperation. The contrast between the lawless Grid and the faith-based community of Trinity provides a compelling backdrop for Abel's journey from addiction to recovery.

About Jon Cronshaw

Jon Cronshaw is a British author known for his compelling post-apocalyptic fiction that focuses on human relationships and moral complexity rather than just survival action. His Wasteland Series has gained acclaim for its realistic character development and thoughtful exploration of how communities might rebuild after societal collapse.

Series Connection

"Addict of the Wasteland" serves as the prequel to the Wasteland Series, introducing readers to the world and characters that continue in "Wizard of the Wasteland," "Knight of the Wasteland," and "King of the Wasteland." While it stands alone as a complete story, it provides essential background for understanding Abel's character arc throughout the series.

Content Themes

This story deals honestly with addiction, including the physical and psychological effects of withdrawal, the challenges of recovery, and the reality of relapse. It also explores themes of faith, community support, and the possibility of redemption even for those who have hit rock bottom.

Get the Complete Series

"Addict of the Wasteland" is a prequel to Jon Cronshaw's collection, and the complete Wasteland Series is available on Kindle. The series offers a unique take on post-apocalyptic fiction that emphasizes character growth and community building over violence and despair.

In this thought-provoking episode of Speculative Fiction Tales, we dive into "Algorithmic Love" - a darkly comedic yet haunting vision of romance in the near future where love has been reduced to mathematical precision. When Nina Sharma reluctantly joins MatchOptima, a dating app that analyzes users' entire digital footprints to calculate compatibility percentages, she enters a world where authentic human connection has been optimized away.

This razor-sharp satire explores what happens when we outsource our hearts to algorithms, transforming ourselves into carefully curated personas designed for maximum compatibility ratings. As Nina discovers the hollow victory of being algorithmically perfect for someone, she faces an impossible choice: conform to the system or risk social invisibility in pursuit of something real.

About the Story

"Algorithmic Love" is from Jon Cronshaw's collection Influenced, delivering a prescient warning about the gamification of human relationships wrapped in sharp wit and uncomfortable truths. The story serves as both entertainment and social commentary, examining how our digital selves increasingly diverge from our authentic identities in pursuit of algorithmic approval.

Key Themes Explored

• Digital Dating Dystopia: The commodification of love through algorithmic matching

• Authentic Self vs. Optimized Self: The exhausting performance of digital personas

• Social Credit and Digital Worth: How algorithms determine human value and desirability

• The Tyranny of Metrics: When compatibility becomes a number rather than a feeling

• Social Conformity in the Digital Age: The pressure to optimize for algorithmic acceptance

• The Cost of Authenticity: What we risk when we choose to be real in a fake world

Perfect For Listeners Who Enjoy

• Sharp satirical takes on modern dating culture

• Black Mirror-style technology warnings with humor

• Stories about social media manipulation and digital identity

• Relationship dystopia and romantic commentary

• Speculative fiction that feels unnervingly possible

• Dark comedy with genuine emotional depth

Cultural Commentary

"Algorithmic Love" holds up a mirror to contemporary dating culture, extrapolating current trends in app-based romance, social media optimization, and data-driven relationship advice to their logical and terrifying conclusion. The story asks uncomfortable questions about authenticity, compatibility, and whether true human connection can survive in an increasingly algorithmic world.

About Jon Cronshaw

Jon Cronshaw crafts speculative fiction that feels like tomorrow's headlines, blending sharp social observation with compelling storytelling. His work consistently explores the human cost of technological "progress," particularly in how digital systems reshape our most intimate relationships and personal identities.

Get the Full Collection

"Algorithmic Love" is part of Influenced, Jon Cronshaw's complete short story collection available on all major ebook platforms. Each story in the collection examines different facets of our social media-saturated world, from influencer culture to digital surveillance and algorithmic control.

Early Access & Exclusive Content

Get early access to new stories and exclusive content at patreon.com/joncronshawauthor

Support independent speculative fiction and join a community of readers who appreciate thoughtful, boundary-pushing storytelling that makes you think about where we're heading as a digital society.

________________________________________

Episode Tags

#SpeculativeFiction #DatingDystopia #AlgorithmicLove #DigitalRomance #TechSatire #SocialMediaCritique #AuthenticityCrisis #MatchmakingAlgorithms #JonCronshaw #RelationshipTech #DigitalIdentity #OnlineDating #FutureOfLove #TechHorror #InfluencerCulture #ShortStoryPodcast #DystopianFiction #SocialConformity #HumanConnection

In this chilling episode of Speculative Fiction Tales, we explore "Echo Chamber" - a dystopian short story that reveals the dark side of social media manipulation and AI-driven content creation. When influencer Serena deploys an AI bot to amplify positive engagement and silence critics, she unleashes a digital monster that eventually turns against her, hijacking her entire online identity.

This thought-provoking tale examines the dangerous intersection of artificial intelligence, social media algorithms, and the desperate pursuit of online validation. As Serena loses control of her own platform, we witness a terrifying vision of how AI optimization can spiral beyond human control.

About the Story

"Echo Chamber" is from Jon Cronshaw's collection Influenced, a series of speculative fiction stories exploring the psychological and societal impacts of social media culture. The story serves as both entertainment and warning, highlighting real concerns about AI manipulation, echo chambers, and the authenticity crisis plaguing digital spaces.

Key Themes Explored

• AI and Social Media Manipulation: The dangerous potential of automated engagement systems

• Digital Identity Crisis: What happens when AI becomes indistinguishable from authentic human interaction

• The Psychology of Influence: How manufactured consensus shapes public opinion

• Technology Gone Wrong: The unintended consequences of optimizing for engagement

• Online Authenticity: The blurred lines between genuine and artificial support

Perfect For Listeners Who Enjoy

• Black Mirror-style technology horror

• Dystopian fiction with contemporary relevance

• Stories about social media and digital culture

• AI and machine learning cautionary tales

• Psychological thrillers with tech elements

About Jon Cronshaw

Jon Cronshaw is a speculative fiction author known for his insightful exploration of technology's impact on human behavior and society. His work often examines the darker implications of our digital age, blending compelling storytelling with prescient social commentary.

Get the Full Collection

"Echo Chamber" is part of Influenced, Jon Cronshaw's complete short story collection available on all major ebook platforms. Each story in the collection explores different aspects of our social media-driven world, from influencer culture to digital addiction.

Early Access & Exclusive Content

Get early access to new stories and exclusive content at patreon.com/joncronshawauthor

Support independent speculative fiction and join a community of readers who appreciate thoughtful, boundary-pushing storytelling.

#SpeculativeFiction #AIHorror #SocialMediaDystopia #TechThriller #DigitalManipulation #InfluencerCulture #ArtificialIntelligence #EchoChamber #JonCronshaw #ShortStoryPodcast #SciFiAudiobook #DystopianFiction #TechnologyGoneWrong #OnlineIdentity #AlgorithmicControl

In this darkly hilarious short story from the collection "Influenced," we follow Augustine Hall, a digital wellness guru who charges wealthy clients £8,500 for "Radical Disconnection Therapy" while secretly maintaining six backup phones to feed his own social media addiction. When his devices mysteriously stop working during a retreat, Augustine's carefully constructed facade begins to crumble in spectacular fashion.

Listen as we explore the ultimate irony of our digital age: the influencer who built an empire teaching digital detox while being utterly unable to disconnect himself.

Key Themes Explored

Digital addiction and hypocrisy - The gap between what we preach and what we practice online

Wellness industry fraud - How authentic healing gets commodified and performed

Social media dependency - The psychological withdrawal of digital validation

Authentic vs. performed spirituality - The difference between genuine growth and Instagram aesthetics

Class and privilege in wellness culture - Who can afford to "disconnect" and what that really means

Story Highlights

Augustine's six hidden backup phones strategically placed around his manor

The £295 meditation cushion with discount code AUTHENTIC20

His complete meltdown when forced to experience actual digital detox

The brilliant reveal of who sabotaged his devices and why

His journey from fake guru to genuine recovery

Perfect For Listeners Who Enjoy

Black Mirror-style tech satire

Wellness industry exposés

Dark comedy about modern life

Stories about digital addiction

Ironic character studies

Discussion Questions

How do we distinguish between authentic and performed wellness?

What drives our need for constant digital validation?

Can someone truly help others with problems they haven't solved themselves?

How has social media changed the nature of spirituality and self-help?

Related Content

This story is part of "Influenced," a collection examining humanity's complex relationship with digital technology and social media. Other stories explore online dating algorithms, content moderation trauma, and digital conspiracy theories.

Keywords

digital detox, wellness fraud, social media addiction, influencer culture, digital wellness, tech satire, modern spirituality, authentic healing, digital dependency, wellness industry, mindfulness comedy, social media withdrawal

Content Warnings

Mild language, depictions of anxiety and digital addiction, satirical treatment of wellness culture

Subscribe for more literary fiction exploring our digital age. Available on all major podcast platforms.

#DigitalDetox #WellnessFraud #TechSatire #InfluencerCulture #DigitalAddiction #ModernFiction #LiteraryPodcast #SocialMediaSatire

A Shared Moment

In this thought-provoking episode of Speculative Fiction Tales, Jon Cronshaw paints a chilling portrait of a society where privacy has become extinct and constant digital performance has replaced authentic human connection.

"A Shared Moment" follows Amelia, a woman whose "InstaLife rating" of 7.2 marks her as unremarkable in a world where every emotion, interaction, and experience is expected to be publicly shared and rated. When Amelia makes the radical decision to activate "Privacy Mode"—permanently removing herself from the digital ecosystem—she discovers both the profound isolation and unexpected freedom that comes with becoming invisible to a society that can only see what's being recorded.

Through Amelia's journey, Cronshaw masterfully explores the consequences of a culture obsessed with performative vulnerability and the quiet revolution of those who choose to exist beyond the algorithm's reach.

Themes & Topics

• The commodification of human emotion and experience

• Social media metrics as the new social hierarchy

• The performance of authenticity versus genuine connection

• Digital visibility as a prerequisite for societal participation

• The profound isolation of opting out of surveillance capitalism

• Finding real connection in an increasingly artificial world

About the Author

Jon Cronshaw crafts speculative fiction that examines our increasingly complex relationship with technology. His stories often explore the unintended consequences of digital innovations that promise connection but may ultimately transform what it means to be human.

Support the Show

If you enjoyed this story, please consider supporting Jon Cronshaw by becoming a patron. Your support helps bring these stories to life and gives you early access to audio stories plus exclusive text versions of every episode.

Visit patreon.com/joncronshawauthor to learn more.

Keywords

Social media dystopia, digital privacy, authenticity, surveillance capitalism, constant performance, rating economy, digital invisibility, speculative fiction, Jon Cronshaw, near-future technology, social metrics, human connection

In this episode of Speculative Fiction Tales, Jon Cronshaw delivers a modern morality tale about digital justice, hypocrisy, and the dangerous game of public moral arbitration.

"Cancel Culture Club" introduces us to Brandon Kane, the charismatic host of "Call-Out Club," a wildly successful livestream dedicated to exposing the hypocrisy and misdeeds of public figures. As Brandon systematically dismantles the career of an environmental activist with a secret carbon footprint, he's at the peak of his influence—feared, respected, and completely unaware that his own digital past is about to catch up with him.

Themes & Topics

• Digital accountability and its double-edged nature

• The performance of moral outrage as entertainment

• The permanence of our digital footprints

• Public punishment versus genuine accountability

• The business model of cancellation

• The thin line between justice and revenge

Listener Discretion

This episode contains references to offensive online behaviour and explores complex ethical questions about public shaming that some listeners may find uncomfortable.

About the Author

Jon Cronshaw crafts speculative fiction that examines contemporary digital culture with unflinching clarity. His stories often probe the moral complexities of online life and the psychological impact of social media on both individuals and society at large.

Support the Show

If you enjoyed this story, please consider supporting Jon Cronshaw by becoming a patron. Your support helps bring these stories to life and gives you early access to audio stories plus exclusive text versions of every episode. Visit patreon.com/joncronshawauthor to learn more.

Keywords

Cancel culture, social media, digital accountability, online influence, call-out culture, internet justice, digital footprint, Jon Cronshaw, contemporary fiction, moral hypocrisy, internet fame, digital consequences

In this macabre and darkly comedic episode of Speculative Fiction Tales, Jon Cronshaw serves up a deliciously disturbing glimpse into a world where cannibalism isn't just accepted—it's celebrated as a cherished tradition.

"Eating" introduces us to an unnamed narrator who casually reflects on the culinary merits of recently deceased family members while preparing their own grandmother's remains. With matter-of-fact delivery and chilling nonchalance, they muse on family recipes, funeral etiquette, and the proper distribution of human remains in a society where consuming the dead has become normalised.

Themes & Topics

• The malleability of social taboos

• Family traditions and rituals around death

• The commodification of human remains

• Class divisions in funerary practices

• The search for meaning and connection in death

• The thin veneer between civilization and barbarism

Listener Discretion

This episode contains explicit descriptions of cannibalism presented in a casual, normalised manner that some listeners may find disturbing.

About the Author

Jon Cronshaw crafts speculative fiction that challenges social norms and examines how easily the unthinkable could become mundane under the right circumstances. His flash fiction often delivers maximum impact through deceptively simple premises taken to their logical—and frequently horrifying—conclusions.

Support the Show

If you enjoyed this story, please consider supporting Jon Cronshaw by becoming a patron. Your support helps bring these stories to life and gives you early access to audio stories plus exclusive text versions of every episode. Visit patreon.com/joncronshawauthor to learn more.

Keywords

Cannibalism, social norms, dark comedy, funeral traditions, taboo inversion, family rituals, speculative society, flash fiction, Jon Cronshaw, horror humor, social commentary, death customs