When Good Sleeps…

By Yuet Mee Ho-Nambiar

Observing the state of the world, I turned to the tools of our time to craft a 200-word modern fable about the consequences when good sleeps. Read what they churned out…

1. ChaptGPT generated…

In a bustling city, a vibrant community thrived in a high-rise neighborhood. Among the residents was a kind-hearted woman named Maya, known for her generosity and willingness to help others. One day, she noticed a group of teenagers spray-painting graffiti on a nearby wall, their laughter echoing through the alley. Maya felt a surge of anger and concern but hesitated, thinking, “It’s not my place to interfere.”

Days turned into weeks, and the graffiti spread, transforming the once-beautiful wall into a chaotic mess. The community began to change; the vibrancy faded as more residents chose to ignore the destruction. They whispered about the decline but remained silent, hoping someone else would take action.

One evening, Maya passed the wall, now a symbol of neglect. She realized that her inaction had allowed the situation to worsen. Determined, she rallied her neighbors, organizing a community cleanup. Together, they painted over the graffiti, transforming the wall into a mural celebrating their unity.

As the vibrant colors emerged, so did a renewed sense of pride and responsibility among the residents. Maya learned that standing by while evil flourishes only invites more harm. It was the collective courage of good people that turned the tide, reminding everyone that action, no matter how small, can change the world.

2. Claude generated…

During the community meeting, Michael sat silently as others voiced similar concerns. When asked for input, he shrugged, thinking his single voice wouldn’t matter. Around him, neighbors repeated variations of “someone should do something” before returning to their separate lives.

Weeks later, elderly Mrs. Chen was robbed at the building entrance. As paramedics tended to her, Michael learned that several residents had seen the assailant loitering in previous days but said nothing.

That evening, Michael created a neighborhood watch group chat. He installed security cameras he’d been “meaning to buy.” Others, emboldened by his initiative, joined the effort.

Six months later, crime rates plummeted. At the year-end gathering, Mrs. Chen, now recovered, approached Michael. “You know what made the difference?” she asked. “Not the cameras. It was when someone finally decided that ‘someone’ needed to be them.”

• Deepseek generated…

In a bustling city, a tech company named InnovateCorp was known for its cutting-edge software. Among its employees was Mia, a talented coder who discovered that the company’s new app secretly collected users’ personal data without consent. Shocked, Mia approached her manager, Ethan, who dismissed her concerns, saying, “It’s just business. Everyone does it.”

Mia felt uneasy but stayed silent, fearing she might lose her job. Weeks passed, and the app gained millions of downloads. One day, a cybersecurity expert exposed the data breach, causing public outrage. InnovateCorp’s reputation crumbled, and its employees, including Mia, faced backlash for their complicity.

Reflecting on the fallout, Mia realized her silence had allowed the unethical practice to thrive. She decided to speak out, joining forces with whistleblowers to demand accountability. Her courage inspired others to act, and together, they pushed for stricter data privacy laws.

The parable illustrates that evil prevails not because of its strength, but because good people choose inaction. Mia’s eventual stand shows that even small acts of courage can spark change, reminding us that silence in the face of wrongdoing only empowers those who exploit it.

• Google Gemini generated…

The online forum, “Community Connect,” was once a vibrant hub. Then, the Trolls arrived. They started with snide remarks, then escalated to personal attacks, targeting anyone who dared express a positive or nuanced opinion.

Sarah, a moderator, flagged the posts, but the platform’s response was slow, citing “freedom of speech.” Others, like Mark, a regular contributor, reasoned, “It’s just online. Ignore them.”

The Trolls, emboldened, spread misinformation and hate speech. They harassed users until they left, leaving behind a toxic wasteland. Those who remained, the “good” users, either retreated to private groups or fell silent, afraid of becoming targets.

The Trolls, now unchallenged, dominated the forum, shaping the narrative, spreading their vitriol. The once-welcoming space became a breeding ground for negativity. The platform, once a place for connection, became a testament to how easily a community can be poisoned when those who know better choose to look away.

5. Microsoft Copilot generated…

In the bustling city of Metropolis, there was a well-loved coffee shop called “Java Junction.” It was run by a kind-hearted barista named Emma, who always greeted everyone with a warm smile. The shop was a haven for the community, a place where friends gathered and strangers became friends.

One day, a sly businessman named Victor saw an opportunity to exploit the shop’s popularity. He wanted to turn Java Junction into a chain, squeezing out every bit of profit. Victor began spreading rumors about Emma’s business practices, hoping to tarnish her reputation and force her to sell.

The regulars at Java Junction noticed the change, but they were too absorbed in their own lives to intervene. “It’s not our problem,” they thought. “Someone else will surely step in.”

As Victor’s influence grew, Emma struggled to keep the shop afloat. The community’s inaction allowed the false rumors to take root, and soon, the once-vibrant coffee shop was on the verge of closing.

In the end, it wasn’t Victor’s cunning that led to Java Junction’s downfall; it was the silence and inaction of the good people who frequented the shop. The moral of the story: for evil to triumph, all it takes is for good people to do nothing.

---