One day, a man asked God for the power to read people’s minds. He wanted to know what people thought of him. God said, you are better off not knowing. But if you’re sure… I’m sure, said the man. Please let me hear what everyone is thinking.

One day, a man asked God for the power to be everywhere. I want to live multiple lives, not just my own limited reality. Are you sure, God said. Yes, the man said. Life is short and I want to experience it in the fullest.

One day, a man asked God for the power of instant knowledge. I don’t want to waste time learning, he said. I just want to know what I want to know now. God hesitated. Are you sure, he said? Yes, the man replied impatiently.

In a difference universe, a man absentmindedly scrolls through his phone. Feed after feed, he scrolls through social media and closes and flips to another screen and then scrolls again. Time passes in waves. The man is swept up in many voices every day but his own. How can he, when there’s so many interesting thoughts out there? You can’t listen and think at the same time. He keeps scrolling, following many peoples lives from the seat of his chair. So easy to be entertained now. To feel like living instead of living his own small life. Every hour, a notification of the news, an update, something else that’s happening buzzes his phone. Always in the know. It’s not an interruption if it’s your priority. So easy to be all-knowing now. The man pauses his scrolling to take his pills. Two for anxiety, 1 for sleep.

The man doesn’t talk to God anymore. The days go by too fast anymore to stop and say a prayer. God never answered that quickly anyways.