Solipsist at Dinner, The

Publication date: 
2006-05
Publication type: 
Short Story
Published: 
Elemental: The Tsunami Relief Anthology, Steven Savile and Alethea Kontis, Eds, paper, Tor, May 2006
Setting: 
Stand Alone
Characters: 
Wayne Morris; Nero
Summary: 

Wayne Morris, an aging writer, shares a sushi dinner with his old friend Nero. The two discuss the health issues brought on by Wayne's advanced years, and conclude that the theory of solipsism—everything that exists exists in one's own imagination—must be false, because who would voluntarily imagine themselves growing old, dealing with arthritis, hearing loss and the increased threat of cancer?

Notes: 

A short meditation on the nature of solipsism and how it relates to human aging.

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