By Chris Galford (@Aurinth)
The old gods are dead or dying. New, more contemporary deities, created through pop culture adulation, look set to replace them. A new pantheon is forming.
Atheism & The Cloud
“All I’m saying, Cloud, is that I’m not sure I exist.” They sat against the back wall, drinking in the endless torrent of people walking into the demesne behind them. Cloud looked bored, his eyes anywhere but on him, analysing the people, the counter, even the blaring horns on the street outside. He had the attention span of a hummingbird but, as he had found with time, a memory that made the Library of Alexandria look like… well… a sunken nothing. Sort of like himself. He sank a little lower into his chair and cleared his throat. Cloud’s blank-eyed gaze flicked over him with annoyance. “Hear me out, man.” “I’ve not missed a single word you’ve said,” Cloud said. “Then why don’t you talk? Come on. I’m having an… an identity crisis over here and you’re…” “Listening. I’m always listening. I’m a very good listener. It’s why people are so giving.” “People are so giving because everyone’s talking about you. Or to you. Or…” “Hey now. People offered me plenty even before they talked about me. I’m very relatable.” “It helps that you’re the closest thing to god they actually see on a daily basis.” “Might be a little too much.” Cloud grinned, that opaque, toothy grin of his that was at points All-American All Star and confident bad boy. “Listen. You put too much stock in what you see, you know? What you feel, that’s what’s important. I mean, I knew who I was before they told me…” |
An old argument. Largely irrelevant. Stick a spork in him, Cloud’s hipster was showing.
Again, he glanced at the window, trying to catch sight of his reflection. The sun was too bright. Tease. “None of us should exist. That’s the problem. I know that. Things are… well, they’re things. People use them. We’re just notions. The things… aren’t us.” “Shit, man.” Cloud shook his head with a low chuckle. “I could tell you about this couple in North Carolina, they’re going through the same thing right now. Real caught up in the flaws of that whole, ‘I think therefore I am’ business. You should check out their Instagram when you get a chance.” “What? They’ve realised that gods can’t exist, that they are one, that people bow and scrape to them without even knowing? You tell me I exist but my followers don’t even believe in me!” Cloud leaned back in his chair. The phone in his hand flickered with a dozen chirps a minute, and he laughed at some unseen joke. “Yeah…” he said after a moment. “You should talk to Social Media about that. It’s all about your brand these days, you know. It defines you. Just give yourself a makeover, guy. You’ll see.” |
OTHER MODERN GODS:
Burning Man Coffee (Lady Caffeine) By Chris Galford |
Submit an entry for the 21st Century Directory of Lesser Deities, starting Dec.
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