by J.P. Celia

“Tech Companies Can’t Stop an AI Apocalypse Alone”
—Knowledge at Wharton

“Put down your phone,” I firmly say.
“There’s more to life. And youth. And play.
Ride off on skateboard, stallion, sleigh
and pluck a 3D flower.”

You roll your eyes and tap your screen,
type out a text, misspelled and mean,
scroll through a post that makes you green
with envy, and you glower.

God damn those algorithmic kings
who fashion godforsaken things
and praise what innovation brings—
unfazed by consequences.

I’m well aware I’m in their debt
because their brilliant baubles let
me do a thousand errands, yet
my mutiny commences.

Let’s overthrow their tyrant state
and without scruples uncreate
the phones that overstimulate
the unsuspecting masses.

Let’s riot till their servers crash
and Cupertino lies in ash
and every piece of tech is trash
(except my meds and glasses).