The Life and Times of Artemis Diehl

Enjoy these brief scenes featuring Artemis Diehl, an American businessman renowned the world over. ...

September 15, 2025 · 4 min · 846 words · Mark Richard

The New Behemoth

Just as the brazen giant of Greek fame, With conquering limbs astride from land to land; Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand A fearless leader with a torch, whose flame Is the unleashed misery, and his name Torment of Exiles. From his warding-hand Burns world-wide scorning; his wild eyes command The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame. “Bring, ancient lands, your storied pomp!” cries he With blazing lips. “Take back your tired, your poor, ...

April 7, 2025 · 1 min · 112 words · Mark Richard

The Performer

I initially drafted this story as part of a broader writing effort related to The Last Question. All the idiocy happening in the US government and in the world of large corporations encouraged me to finish it. You can also find it on my fiction writing site. ...

March 10, 2025 · 4 min · 733 words · Mark Richard

Review: An Update on LLM Satire

I gave Claude (3.7 Sonnet) the same prompt I provided ChatGPT two years ago: Write a short article in the satirical style of The Onion, titled “Optimistic AI Just Happy to Be Here”. I also went back to ChatGPT to see how it has improved. Claude’s attempt. ...

March 1, 2025 · 2 min · 396 words · Mark Richard

Packing Up Stinks

My thanks to Jack Prelutsky. Packing! Oh, Packing! I hate you, you stink. I wish I could throw All this stuff in the drink. These terrible boxes Are crowding my floor. I’m getting so flustered Each time through the door. Packing! Oh, Packing! You’re making me ill. These thick cubes of cardboard Are getting their fill. The crumpling of paper, The ripping of tape, All makes me just want to Run off and escape. ...

August 17, 2024 · 2 min · 235 words · Mark Richard

There's No Such Thing as Bad Publicity

AUSTIN, TEXAS—Staring deep beyond his bathroom mirror, George Kurtz, CEO of Crowdstrike, repeated “There’s no such thing as bad publicity” under his breath. He let his head drop and began absentmindedly splashing water on his face, hoping the bags under his eyes would disappear before the back-to-back-to-back interviews that began the next hour. Looking back up, he wiped down his face with a nearby hand towel embroidered with the phrase “Keep Austin Weird” and forced a haggard smile across his face. ...

July 29, 2024 · 1 min · 165 words · Mark Richard

Local Business to Make Play for Enterprise

ELKHART, INDIANA—John Wheedle, founder and owner of Wheedle & Sons Whittling, presented his plan to “go after the big market, starting with those hotshots down in Fort Wayne” during a gathering of business professionals and entrepreneurs at the Elkhart Community Center. The evening’s theme was Aim for the Stars. Group members were encouraged to present on ambitious, long-term plans and then receive constructive feedback. Wheedle was third to go. On his way up to the podium, several attendees recall him saying “This is going to knock their socks off.” ...

April 8, 2024 · 3 min · 484 words · Mark Richard

Area Mom Going To Whip Up Tacos For Dinner

EAU CLAIRE, WISCONSIN—A statement from local mother Sandra Johnson has been obtained regarding the Johnson family’s dining options this coming Tuesday. The contents outline a plan to “whip up” tacos that evening. ...

February 27, 2023 · 2 min · 304 words · Mark Richard

Optimistic AI Just Happy To Be Here

SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA—In an effort to eschew the tendency for modern AI tools such as ChatGPT to appear neutral while still housing the fundamental biases of their creators within their core, San Jose-based startup Half Full, Inc. announced on Monday the launch of an AI whose goal is optimism, plain and simple. ...

January 23, 2023 · 4 min · 659 words · Mark Richard