Did Anyone Stop to Ask Why?

It's 2050 and Mitchell just turned 18. 

His grandfather, Elliott, stopped by on his hologram for a celebratory visit. Mitchell had patiently waited years for this very moment. He's been plagued by one specific question and now was finally his time to ask.

"Gramps, now that I'm officially an adult and have my adult chip implanted to prove it, can I ask you a question?"

"Of course, what do you want to know?” Gramps replied.

"Well, you always told me stories about a time before people had chips in them. A time when you could drive a car with your hands. Oh, and you had big, tall green things called… what was it, trees, I think."

"Yes yes, of course, Mitchell. Wow, that new memory chip really has made some improvements in your recall, hasn't it?"

Frustrated, Mitchell shrugged and tried not to roll his eyes. "Sure Gramps, I guess so. But that's not the point. I never wanted to ask you this before because I was young and didn't want to know the truth. But, now, I am older and well, my question is  this: were you telling me the truth? Or were those stories all just make-believe… like that one story you told me about a big man in a red-suit that kids thought snuck into their homes with presents once a year?"

Elliott looked straight into Mitchell's eyes, "Mitch, I promise you. I was telling the truth. I would have told you if I was fabricating details about my past."

Mitchell suddenly got quiet. Really quiet. He stared at the floor.

"Well, if that's the truth then… I have another question," said Mitch.

"Yes, of course. What is it?" Gramps asked.

Mitch looked up to meet his grandfathers' eyes. He finally mustered enough strength to speak.

"Why?" Mitchell asked.

"Why what, Mitch?" Gramps responded, slightly confused.

Mitchell was irritated. "Why did they want their world to be different? Why did you want that? Why did you want to replace those things you call trees and why did you want to have a chip implanted in you? I guess just, why were you doing all of that?!"

"Well, it was for you, Mitchell!" Elliott exclaimed. "We were doing it for you! For you to have a better future… to, to,” Elliott stumbled over his words, “for you to have the ability to not lift a single finger and still have everything done for you. So you could sit back and enjoy the good life. Why would you even ask that question? Are you not satisfied?"

Mitchell was suddenly afraid he had upset his Gramps. But the need to know burned brighter than his fear.

"Well, it's just that I can see the sparkle in your eyes when you talk about those things you call trees. And it's there when you remember driving your car with , what did you call it, a steering wheel?… I can see how much you loved it. And I notice the way you light up if you think about swimming in the ocean. Gramps, I never see you look that same way unless you talk about your youth. It sounds like the most fun ever. I've never had fun, I only understand what it might be like because my chip programmed me to know how it could feel. But, you? You had fun. Real fun. You already had a great life with so much to enjoy. So, I'm just wondering , did anyone stop to ask 'Why? Why are we changing something that's already so beautiful?' I must know Gramps. I have to understand."

"Oh boy. You're misinterpreting. You're just seeing what elders always do. They always reminisce about their younger days with fondness and twinkles in their eyes. You will too someday, son."

"No, Gramps. I don't think you understand. I have nothing to reminisce about. All of my memories are stored for me. I don't have a relationship with them as you do. I haven't done anything in my life. I don't have fun. All I do is sit inside. Not only that but…"

"But what, Mitchell. Tell me." Gramps said.

"But, I've never had that twinkle in my eyes. I don't even know what that feels like. I don't even know if I know how to feel. You and Grandma thought you were doing me a favor somehow but really you robbed me of what you had. You got to experience life. You got trees. And an ocean with unpolluted water. You got to drive cars. Now I sit in my room all day and watch life. I literally just watch it. On my screen." 

Suddenly Mitchell got very angry. 

"Why?!" He yelled. 

He didn't even care what his Gramps thought anymore. He had to get this out of him. Mitchell's face was flushed and hot. But he continued to yell.

"Why would you do this?! Why couldn't you see what would happen?! You said that people had so much money that they were rocketing into space. You said that people were so intelligent when they were designing all of the technology that I have now. So tell me, how is it possible that NO ONE had enough intelligence to ask the question : why are we really doing this?"

They both fell silent.

Finally, Gramps opened his mouth to speak. Then closed it without saying a word. Mitchell could tell Gramps was stunned. Gramps was mulling over his answer and Mitchell just prayed it was the truth.

"Well, there were a few people, Mitchell. It's not that no one asked that question. A few people came out with concerns about the future of artificial intelligence and nanotechnology. They voiced their concerns, son. I remember them saying, 'This is all so irrevocable once it's done.' And to be honest, I thought they were losers: they didn't see the vision that I and others did. And , well, they were small in numbers. Their voices were drowned out by those who went with the current. Those such as myself."

"And where are those people now, Gramps?" Mitchell asked.

"Ah, I would imagine they've kept to themselves as these times have changed so drastically the past 25 years. I'd imagine they may be hidden in pockets on the planet. Maybe a place or two that still has some trees. Or perhaps a boat out in what's left of the ocean. But they don't have it easy, son. Their lives are hard. Filled with worry and stress : without food easily accessible. Perhaps even walking around without their microchips!"

At that moment, Mitchell felt something he'd never felt before in his life. He had no word to describe it. His body relaxed. He suddenly felt at ease. 

"Wait, they're still out there? Can you help me find them?"

"Oh, son. Why would you want to do that? Look, you've got everything you could possibly need right here! I even bought you the newest spaceflight drone car for your birthday. It was going to be a surprise when it picked you up a little later but…"

"I don't want another drone, Gramps! I want a life. I want to live life with all of the stuff that you had in your childhood. I want to touch a tree. I want to breathe in some air at the ocean… like you always said you did. That's what I really want. Now, can you please help me? Please help me find those people in the trees and the boats?"

"Ok, ok. But it won't be easy. And I'm not sure why you want to do it. It's dangerous out there. And unpredictable. Likely, their location doesn't have access to your chip tracker…" Gramps trailed off. Obviously disturbed by this thought. He went on to finish, "That means if you get lost… no one will find you."

Mitchell's skin flushed. "I couldn't ask for a better birthday present, Gramps."