Strange Horizons, November 21, 2011

“Tomorrow is Waiting” by Holli Mintzer

Reviewed by Sherry Decker

Anji is less than enthused about her AI class, and the required programming assignment. She selects the easiest looking project from the list of options: Design an AI that mimics the behavior of a public domain character.  Anji decides to build a robot that mimics Kermit the Frog.  She succeeds.  Beyond her own expectations.  Beyond anyone’s expectations. Her Kermit is so believable, Anji is afraid it will get her into trouble.

Unlike in the movie ET, we are never concerned that Kermit is alive. He’s sentient, however, and that poses the problem. Anji is afraid no one will believe she created Kermit. She’s afraid she’ll fail the class.

Kermit never causes any real problem for anyone and it never bothers Kermit to be a robot. 

Writing is satisfactory. Story proceeded at acceptable pace. Entertaining but unremarkable. I doubt I’ll ever think about this story again, a day or two from now.