Tales for AI Times: The Story of Two Mobile Users - Story # 7

 𝐓𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐀𝐈 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐬: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐓𝐰𝐨 𝐌𝐨𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐔𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐬

Rohan and Priya were two tech-savvy friends living in the AI-powered world of endless notifications, chatbots, and super-smart virtual assistants. Both were determined to conquer life’s challenges using their trusty smartphones.

Rohan believed in one motto: “The grind never stops.” His phone was always buzzing - AI task reminders, social media updates, and a thousand WhatsApp group chats. He never missed a single notification, constantly toggling between apps, shouting at his virtual assistant, and multitasking like his life depended on it.

But by noon, things started spiralling. His phone slowed down, apps were crashing, and horror of horrors, his battery dipped to 5%. Gasping dramatically like a Bollywood hero in a rainstorm, Rohan scrambled to find his charger.

“Where’s my charger?!” he yelled, rummaging through a chaotic tangle of cables and old earphones. His AI assistant chirped, “Battery critical. Please plug in the charger,” which only made him panic more.

By the end of the day, Rohan was mentally and physically drained, staring at a blank screen, waiting for his phone to reboot.

Priya, on the other hand, had a different approach. She believed in balance. After a productive hour, she would take a break - not scrolling Instagram, but sipping chai and stretching. She kept her notifications in check, silenced unnecessary alerts, and even let her AI assistant handle routine stuff like paying bills.

Her phone? Always charged.

Apps? Running smooth as ghee on a hot paratha.

Priya even had time to use AI to write poetry, meditate with calming music, and call her mom to ask if she wanted paneer or gobi for dinner. By the end of the day, Priya had finished her tasks, learned a new recipe from YouTube, and even squeezed in a quick nap.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭

Rohan looked at Priya’s relaxed, glowing face and asked, “How do you manage all this without losing it? My phone is always dying, my brain is fried, and I just spent an hour untangling my charger cable!”

Priya smiled knowingly. “Rohan, life is like your phone. If you don’t recharge it regularly and clean up the clutter, it will slow down, crash, or leave you panicking. Sometimes, even AI needs a break.”

Rohan stared at her, wide-eyed. “Wait, you mean... I need to take breaks too?!”

“Exactly,” Priya said. “Oh, and maybe get a wireless charger for the next time.”

*****

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲

Whether it’s you or your phone, recharging is not optional. Take breaks, declutter your mind (and home screen).

(Inspired by the classic story of the two woodcutters.)

*****

#suswasaSpace #TalesForAITimes #taleNo7

The Three Coders [Tales for AI times # 6]

 The Three Coders [Tales for AI times # 6]

 

Once, three coders were working on the same project. Each sat in front of their screens, typing away.

 

Maya walked up to the first coder, who was hunched over and focused on the screen. She asked, “What are you doing?”

 

Without looking up, the coder replied, “I’m writing code. Line after line, my job is to complete the program.”

 

Nodding, Maya moved to the second coder, who seemed more relaxed, taking breaks between coding sessions. She asked, “What about you? What are you doing?”

 

The second coder looked up and smiled, saying, “I am making a living. I code to earn money and improve my skills so I can stay competitive in this field.”

 

Finally, Maya approached the third coder, who was coding calmly and purposefully. She asked the same question: “And what are you doing?”

 

The third coder looked at Maya and said, “I am building a system to help people live healthier lives. This code isn’t just for today—it’s part of something bigger that will make a difference.”

*****

 

The same work can be seen in many ways. It’s not just about the task—it’s about the meaning you give to what you do.

*****

 

The moral of the story remains the same for AI times. Do you remember the erstwhile story of three bricklayers building a Cathedral? : )

*****

If you are interested in reading all the 6 tales for AI times, you can find the link in the comment section.

 

#suswasaSpace #TalesForAITimes #Creativity

*****

I guide busy professionals through micro-practices to release stress, anxiety, and irritating thoughts and quickly return to a state of peace and calm.

Tales for AI Times – Tale No. 5 – Suswasa and KOANS

Read on, these puzzles make you chuckle and smile!

In the tech-driven world, where questions are abundant but meaning is scarce, Suswasa brings timeless insights with a touch of humor. Every question thrown his way meets a playful yet profound response, making everyone laugh—and think. 

Through each kaon, Suswasa reveals modern truths, guiding others to pause and reflect in the age of AI.

***

Suswasa picked up a slice from an oven-fresh pizza cut into eight pieces. As he took a bite, a small bit fell off.

Pausing, he asked the participants, “What remains when a bit falls off a byte?”

Silence filled the room.

Suswasa smiled and answered, “Seven bits!”

***

One day, someone asked Suswasa to define a mobile phone.

Suswasa replied, “A handheld device that immobilizes the person holding it.”

***

 “Who is the real Buddha?” asked a participant, curious to know more.

Suswasa responded with a grin, “An old person.” (“Buddha”  in Hindi)

***

The participants requested Suswasa to think of a new kaon to replace the famous, “Listen to the sound of one hand clapping.”

Without missing a beat, Suswasa replied, “Listen to the sound of the notification from your mobile—on airplane mode.”

***

A Zen-certified communication expert visited Suswasa and asked, “What is the single most important factor in face-to-face communication?”

Suswasa put away his mobile phone.

***

During a casual discussion about leveraging LinkedIn, a friend asked, “When you don’t like a post, which icon do you click: like, celebrate, support, love, insightful, or funny?”

Suswasa simply replied, “Scroll down.”

***

A worried person approached Suswasa, asking, “Why do we always feel stuck in life in this tech era?”

Suswasa answered, “Because we’re all caught in the World Wide Web!”

***

 “What’s up?” Suswasa asked a group of teenagers surrounding him.

One student laughed and said, “I haven’t checked it yet!”

***

A computer science student placed a bet with his classmates, saying he’d stump Suswasa with a tech question.

“What happens when you have 10 to the power of 12 bytes with you?” the student asked.

Suswasa replied, “It’s no longer ‘Mera’—it’s now ‘Tera’ bytes!”

***

Suswasa prepared to lead a “Who Am I?” meditation session. Just as he was about to begin, a person asked, “Sir, who are you without your mobile number and email IDs?”

Suswasa replied, “A Homo SApIen—a human without AI.”

**********

 

#suswasaSpace is a place of #creativity apart from giving relief from #stress, #TensionHeadAches #PanicAttacks #Anxiety.

Tales for AI Times : The Final Code [Tale #4]

Tales for AI Times: The Final Code  [Tale no. 4]

Moh, an expert app developer, had spent five years building cutting-edge software at his company. But now, he was ready for a break—a long sabbatical to unwind and explore other opportunities.

The company’s CEO, impressed by Moh's work over the years, asked him for one final favour before he left. CEO asked him to develop a new app for their Q-commerce division.

Although Moh’s mind was already halfway into his vacation, he reluctantly agreed. The CEO trusted Moh so much that he gave him full freedom on the project—no managers, no oversight. Moh just had to deliver the app.

Wanting to finish quickly and move on, Moh hurried through the project. He cut corners, skipped some of the usual testing, and delivered a product that was not quite up to his usual standards. Satisfied just to be done with it, he handed over the app and prepared for his departure.

On his farewell day, the CEO praised Moh's years of dedication and hard work. Then, with a smile, the CEO handed Moh a surprise gift. A folder containing a royalty deed. It stated that all the profits generated by the new app would go directly to Moh.

As the realization hit him, Moh was speechless. In his rush to quit, he had botched the app, and now, he would own the results of that final piece of work—good or bad.

*****

Did this remind you of the story of the mason building his last house? In today’s tech-driven world, the lesson is still relevant - rushing through your work or not giving your best effort can come back to you in unexpected ways, especially when the results are ultimately yours to keep.

*****

 

#suswasaSpace #TalesForAITimes #taleNo4 

Tales for AI Times - The Curios App Developer

Tales for AI Times: The Curious App Developer

Tale # 3

In a city buzzing with cutting-edge technology, there lived a talented app developer named Moh. He had just launched Serenify, an app designed to help users manage stress with simple micro-practices.

Despite its success, Moh was plagued by self-doubt. Were users really happy with the app, or were they simply not speaking up about any issues?

Instead of asking for direct feedback, Moh devised a more subtle plan. He created an anonymous social media account and began posting rants about the app to gauge user reactions.

Post 1 (Anonymous):
"Can’t believe how hard it is to download Serenify. Has anyone else struggled with this? What a headache!"

Moh eagerly watched the replies roll in:

"Downloaded it in no time. Super easy!"
"Works fine for me, not sure what you’re talking about."
"No issues here—smooth as butter!"

It seemed users had no problem downloading the app. But Moh wasn’t satisfied yet. He decided to check the usability next.

Post 2 (Anonymous):
"Okay, downloaded it somehow, but now the mindfulness feature is glitchy. It’s frustrating! How is this supposed to help anyone relax?"

Again, users responded positively:

"What? I’ve been using that feature daily—works perfectly."
"No glitches here. Maybe it’s your phone?"
"This feature is the reason I keep coming back to the app. No complaints!"

Moh still wasn’t convinced. Maybe there was an issue with payments—something users were hesitant to talk about?

Post 3 (Anonymous):
"Anyone else find the payment process broken? Tried to upgrade and couldn’t even make it through the payment screen. Pretty annoying!"

But the responses came in just as positively:

"Payment was fast and smooth for me!"
"Upgraded in seconds—no problems."
"I didn’t face any payment issues either. The process was seamless!"

With each post, Moh had secretly tested every aspect of his app—from downloads to functionality to payments.

To his surprise, every rant he posted was met with positive feedback and no real issues. His clever method of anonymous testing had worked; Serenify was performing well on all fronts.

His subtle tactic revealed exactly what he needed to know without asking directly: Serenify was performing well.

Satisfied, he smiled to himself. Sometimes, even in the age of AI and constant data, real feedback comes from listening to what’s unsaid.

***

Did this remind you of the classic story about the lawn mower boy who called his employer, posing as a stranger, and subtly got feedback about his work?

 

#suswasaSpace #TalesForAITimes #taleNo3 

Tales for AI times - Screen Swipe

Tales for AI Times: The Screen Swipe

There was a great organization that had started to notice the steady decline of its employees' wellbeing. People were exhausted, distracted, and stressed out.

To address this, the company decided to hold a coaching session at a resort. As part of the program, the employees were asked to take part in a “screen detox”—no phones, no computers, no digital devices. The goal was to help them reconnect with the world.

Two employees, Maya and Moh, were sent out to test their ability to stay off screens by taking a walk around the city.

As they strolled through a busy mall, they spotted an elderly man struggling at a self-checkout counter. He seemed lost, unsure how to finish paying for his items. Without hesitation, Maya stepped forward and helped him finish the transaction. The man thanked her, and she rejoined Moh, who had been quietly watching.

After about an hour, Moh turned to Maya and said, “Weren’t we supposed to avoid screens today? But you still used the checkout screen.”

Maya calmly looked at him and smiled. “I already let that go the moment I finished helping him,” she said. “Are you still swiping through that thought?”

*****

Did this remind you of the story of Zen monks helping a girl cross the river? 

In the modern context of screen addiction and digital mindfulness, the message remains the same: helping someone in need transcends the challenge while holding onto the act long after it’s done becomes the real burden.

*****

 

#suswasaSpace #TalesForAITimes 

Tales for AI times - Vikram & Betal version

As Vikram carried Betal through the shadowy forest, with his signature silence, Betal began another tale:

"Once upon a time, in a bustling town, two talented friends, Henry and Kwame, were known for their mesmerizing music.

Henry, with his fair skin and golden hair, played the violin with a grace that moved people to tears. Kwame, with his dark skin and braided hair, played the drums with a rhythm that echoed deep into the hearts of all who listened.

Together, they were a perfect blend of sound and soul, capturing the hearts of everyone who heard them.

One evening, after an especially brilliant performance at a prestigious festival, a renowned music producer approached them. He was so impressed that he offered the duo a rare opportunity—to record their music in a professional studio. It was an offer that could change their lives forever, and both Henry and Kwame were thrilled.

But when the day came to record, Henry, caught up in the excitement of being in the spotlight, decided to take the session for himself. He recorded his violin solo, thinking it would showcase his talent to the world. Kwame, though equally deserving of the opportunity, was left out of the session entirely. The producer praised Henry’s work, while Kwame stood silently, his heart heavy with disappointment.

Later, Henry realized his mistake. He approached Kwame, apologizing for his selfishness. ‘I shouldn’t have taken the recording for myself,’ Henry said. ‘We earned this opportunity together.’

Kwame, calm as ever, forgave Henry. ‘What’s done is done,’ Kwame replied. ‘Our friendship matters more than any recording session.’

But now, Vikram,” Betal's voice turned playful, “tell me, who was fair? If you remain silent, your head will explode into a thousand pieces!”

Vikram, always quick to grasp the deeper meaning, paused for a moment before responding:

"Both were fair in their own ways. Henry, though fair in appearance, faltered when he allowed his ambition to overshadow their shared bond. But his fairness emerged when he acknowledged his mistake and sought forgiveness. Kwame, despite being slighted, was fair in heart, for he chose to forgive, placing their friendship above his own hurt.

True fairness lies not just in who gets what, but in recognizing the value of relationships. Both were fair, but in the end, it was Kwame who truly upheld fairness by understanding the deeper bond they shared."

Betal, laughing at Vikram’s cleverness, slipped from his grip and flew back to the tree. “Well done, Vikram! But I still have more stories to tell!”
*****

PS - I was browsing through the newspaper when I came across an article about an artist who depicts women with dark complexions. The opening lines read, 'Mirror, mirror on the wall, who is the fairest of them all?'

Instantly, I stopped reading. An idea had struck me—to develop a story in the style of Vikram and Betal, centered around the word 'fair.'

hashtag#TalesForAItimes hashtag#VikramAndBetal hashtag#suswasaSpace