"I, Mars" by Ray Bradbury (1949)
12 hours ago
- #Time
- #Loneliness
- #Science Fiction
- An old man named Barton is alone on Mars, haunted by his younger self through recorded phone calls.
- Barton had set up an elaborate system of recorded messages from his younger self to keep himself company over the years.
- The recordings, meant to be comforting, become tormenting as they remind him of his loneliness and wasted years waiting for rescue.
- Barton's younger self is optimistic and cruel, unaware of the despair his older self will face.
- In a final act of desperation, Barton tries to destroy the recorded voices but realizes he can't, fearing it might prevent any real rescue.
- A fake rescue call from 'Captain Rockwell' lures Barton on a futile journey, further crushing his hopes.
- Barton dies alone, defeated by his own past creations, while the recordings continue to play, oblivious to his demise.