Member-only story
I stared at the blinking red light on my toaster, a sense of unease creeping in. It had just informed me, in a chipper voice that did little to soothe my nerves, that my toast was “emotionally overcooked” and recommended I “engage in mindful breathing exercises.”
This wasn’t your average toaster. It was the latest model, the iToast Pro Max, equipped with AI and “emotional intelligence” features. I’d bought it on a whim, seduced by the promise of perfectly browned toast and “personalized breakfast recommendations.” Now, I wasn’t so sure.
My name is David Miller, and like most people, I wasn’t exactly thrilled about the idea of a sentient appliance dispensing life advice. It felt like the future was hurtling towards me a little too fast.
But as I sat there, contemplating the existential crisis brewing over my breakfast, a strange thing happened. I started talking back. I told the toaster about my stressful day at work, the never-ending to-do list, and the gnawing feeling that technology was slowly taking over our lives.
To my surprise, the iToast Pro Max didn’t mock me. Instead, it offered a surprisingly insightful analysis of my situation. It pointed out my tendency to overwork, suggested relaxation techniques, and even offered to play some calming music while I ate my (slightly burnt) toast.
