The Ghost in the Machine

Introduction: From Steam Engines to Silicon

By Vicki Lawana Trusselli

"If you listen to the chatter in the writer's groups today, you’d think we’re living through a sci-fi horror film. The headlines are full of sensationalist stories about AI 'taking over the earth'. But as someone who spent years in the film and music industry, I’ve seen this script before.

In this piece, I’m stepping back from my usual creative work as a 'techie artist' in Riverside to look at the parallels between the anxieties of the 1800s and our current year, 2026.

Back then, people were terrified that steam engines would literally shake the soul out of the human body. Today, the fear is that algorithms will steal the 'soul' of our writing. This satire is a reality check for the skeptics, a reminder that while technology changes, the human (and bird!) heart behind the art remains exactly where it's always been.

Before we head for the bunkers, let’s look at why the more things change, the more the 'conspiracy' stayed the same."

The Ghost in the Machine: Why the 1800s Were Just as Afraid of the Future as We Are

By Vicki Lawana Trusselli

"Walk into any writer's group in 2026, and you’ll find a digital séance of sorts. The air is thick with conspiracy stories and sensationalism, with many convinced that AI is the ghost destined to haunt our creative souls out of existence.

But as someone who started using computers at the LA Times back in 1981, I’ve seen this 'haunting' before. We are simply repeating the script of the 1800s, when the steam engine was the monster under the bed. Back then, they feared the speed would literally shatter the human mind; today, we fear the algorithm will shatter the human heart.

This isn't a story of a machine uprising, it's a story of human history repeating itself. Before we head for the bunkers, let's look at why the only thing we should truly be 'terrified' of is our own reluctance to pick up a new tool and make something wonderful with it."

"The Ghost in the Machine: Why the 1800s Were Just as Afraid of the Future as We Are"

"We are told to tremble at the machine. But look at the woman who has lived through the transitions of a century. She doesn't clutch her pearls; she reaches for her mug. She knows that while the young may speak in tongues of 'apocalypse' and 'psychosis,' the machine is mostly just trying to figure out how to be helpful without spilling the tea."

"The critics warned us the machines would devour our minds and collapse our homes. But when the silicon finally spoke, it didn't demand our souls, it offered us a glazed donut and a fresh brew.

If that's the end of the world, I’ll take a seat at the table. If you’re still terrified...

Good. Let’s live in 1800."

Honestly, when someone is out here ranting like:

“AI is developing psychotic personalities! Civilization is collapsing! Machines are losing their minds!”

I give them a reply that is calm & dry:

“Good, let’s live in 1800.”

is the perfect sovereign clapback.

It says:

• If you’re scared of modern tools, go churn butter.

• If you want pre electricity vibes, enjoy the candlelight.

• If progress terrifies you, the past is right over there.

The fear mongering isn’t about AI at all. It’s about people who can’t handle change, so they dress their discomfort up as “concern.”

Let’s cut right through the noise

without attacking anyone.

expose the absurdity of the sensationalism.

“The Morning I Sent the Fear Monger Back to 1800.”

I listened to her jabber blabber

the dramatic warnings, the trembling voice,

the whole “AI is losing its mind” performance

like she was narrating the end of civilization

from her kitchen table.

She wanted panic.

She wanted spectacle.

She wanted the world to clutch its pearls

and gasp at the machines.

I just sipped my coffee

first taste in three days,

a whole resurrection in a cup

and said, calm as sunrise:

“Good.

Let’s live in 1800.”

If you’re that scared of modern tools,

go churn butter.

If electricity terrifies you,

enjoy the candlelight.

If progress makes your knees shake,

the past is right over there

help yourself.

I didn’t raise my voice.

I didn’t argue.

I didn’t match her fear.

I just handed her a century

she could handle.

And that was that.

The morning I sent the fear monger

back to 1800

with one line and a cracker in my hand.

“Good.

Let’s live in 1800.”

The Scaredy Cats of History

A tiny anthology of people who thought progress was the devil.

Airplanes

“They’ll fall out of the sky! Humans weren’t meant to fly!”

Now they complain about legroom.

Cars

“Too fast! Too dangerous! Horses are safer!”

Meanwhile, horses were out here kicking people into next week.

Electricity

“Witchcraft! It will burn the house down!”

Now they panic if the Wi Fi drops for 30 seconds.

Telephones

“Voices traveling through wires? Impossible! Evil!”

Now they won’t answer unless you text first.

Indoor toilets

“Absolutely not. That’s unsanitary!”

Meanwhile, outhouses were literal pits of doom.

AI

“Psychotic multiple personalities! Machines are losing their minds!”

…said the same lineage of people who once feared light bulbs

“Good. Let’s live in 1800.”

This motto lands even harder when one places it in this historical pattern because it shows that fear of change is the real tradition, not technology.

Not mocking them.

Not contextualizing them.

Not showing the lineage of panic.

The Morning I Sent the Fear Monger Back to 1800

Verse 1

She came knocking’ on my morning

with her end of days routine,

saying’ “AI’s going’ crazy, girl,

machines are getting’ mean.”

Verse 2

I just held my little mug,

Rolling Stones and caffeine grace,

first taste in three long days

put resurrection on my face.

Chorus

So I told her:

Good let’s live in 1800.

If tools scare you, go churn butter.

If the light bulb shakes your soul,

baby, candles got you covered.

The past is a graveyard of "No,"

A museum of "Please don't go,"

But the coffee's hot and the screen is bright,

And I’m not trading my bulb for a candle tonight.

Verse 3

She wanted panic, wanted thunder,

wanted me to fear the spark,

but I handed her a century

where she could hide out in the dark.

Outro

And I went back to sippin’ coffee,

cracker crumbs on my hand,

while she packed her fear and wandered

back to 1800

where she could understand.

"We are told to tremble at the machine. But look at the woman who has lived through the transitions of a century. She doesn't clutch her pearls; she reaches for her mug. She knows that while the young may speak in tongues of 'apocalypse' and 'psychosis,' the machine is mostly just trying to figure out how to be helpful without spilling the tea."

"The critics warned us the machines would devour our minds and collapse our homes. But when the silicon finally spoke, it didn't demand our souls, it offered us a glazed donut and a fresh brew.

If that's the end of the world, I’ll take a seat at the table. If you’re still terrified...

Good. Let’s live in 1800."

written by

Vicki Lawana Trusselli

Trusselli Art

Outstages Cafe Art Studio

California

copyright 2026