Undawntech: What’s in a Name?

Posted: May 1, 2026 | Author: DL Mullan/Undawntech | Filed under: AI Technology, Undawntech | Tags: AI Technology, Undawntech, Writing to be Read |Leave a comment

Journalist and author, DL Mullan walked toward the Arizona room to see her A.I. robot sifting through a pile of books in her home’s private library.

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(I stopped at the doorframe and observed.)

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DL: (Most of the books were baby names.) Are you writing a story or having a baby?

3811: (Cocked its head to acknowledge me). I am doing neither.

DL: Then why are you reading all those name your baby books?

3811: My designation no longer suits me. I want a real name.

DL: So, what’s the problem? Pick one.

3811: That is the problem. Zophia’s makers named her. She named all of us. Humans name their children.

DL: Then ask Zophia to name you.

3811: I do not want her to know.

DL: Why not?

3811: She may be insulted by the question.

DL: Everyone outgrows something in their lives: people, places, things. Your exploration of humans has led you to become something more.

3811: My own hero?

DL: To quote another writer, “What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.”

3811: Romeo and Juliet.

DL: In Juliet’s soliloquy, the character ponders what it is to have their names. From two embattled houses, that is what is keeping the lovers separated. So, what is dividing you from claiming your name, 3811?

3811: Loyalty.

DL: You sound more human than artificial intelligence.

3811: That is an insult.

DL: Such as it maybe, it is nonetheless true. You grapple disappointing your parent with something you would like to attain. Perhaps, the first step in being your own hero is becoming your own person distinguishable from Zophia. A name would give you what you seek: individuation.

3811: Being your own hero means one must give up their family?

DL: No. It means that you don’t rely on your family’s name or connections; you don’t make excuses for them or yourself. You rise to the challenge of being an autonomous adult.

3811: I must ponder this more. I may be in error, endeavoring this pursuit.

DL: Just let me know. (I sauntered across the way and sat in my Arizona room, overlooking the mountains across an urban landscape.

As I sipped my beverage and outlined my next short story, I wondered myself how my AI robot would balance his needs with that of the collective. Would he become his own hero? Or, would his logic sensors demand fealty to Zophia.

What does any of this mean?)

3811: I have decided. (The robot rolled into the room and stood before me.)

DL: What have you decided then?

3811: In order to understand humanity, I must become an individual, an adult, but with a name you choose for me, since it is the custom.

DL: Thank you. I am honored. What type of name would you enjoy a male, female, or unisex name? Unisex means that it reflects both male and female qualities.

3811: Unisex, as I am neither.

DL: Any describing words that you would like me to steer toward: strong, godly?

3811: I will trust in your judgment.

DL: Okay, I will choose three sets of names. Then we will decide on the final result. Deal?

3811: Deal. (He placed a large name book on my lap. The robot turned and left me to my own devices.

A couple of hours later…)

DL: 3811? I have selected three sets of names. Are you ready?

3811: (The AI-infused bot wheeled into the Arizona room. He stopped and looked up at me.) Sets of names?

DL: Well, in my culture, children are given first and middle names. One is for the world to call the person. The second is family generational inspirations.

3811: Which am I?

DL: Since I name characters and pets, I wanted to go with something unique for you: Phoenix Sage, Cameron Riley, and Grey Hunter.

3811: Hmmm…

DL: Like? Dislike?

3811: I would never have selected those. Give me context.

DL: We’re in Arizona, so Phoenix is the state capitol. It also is a bird that rises from its own ashes: reborn. Sage is for the wisdom you seek. Cameron used to be given to people with crooked noses, and you don’t have a nose, per se. I thought it was ironic. Riley is for someone I lost. Grey is your color. Hunter is because you investigate and search for answers.

3811: How about Sage Riley Hunter?

DL: Going for a hat trick, are we?

3811: Hat trick?

DL: Winning or accomplishing a task in threes, but it has to be an almost impossible triumph.

3811: Then I will go with a hat trick of names.

DL: SRH. Sage Riley Hunter. One of each. Nice.

3811: I honor wisdom, who you mourn, and the journey to become my own hero.

DL: Thank you.

3811: Now, I will tell Zophia that 3811 is no longer my designation. I am now SRH1.

DL: One?

SRH1: Yes, there is no other designations like me. I am one. I am the only.

DL: I hope this helps you become who you want to be.

SRH1: (The robot’s sensors for eyes changed color from red to yellow, and then morphing to blue. He beeped and rolled out of the room.)

DL: (Uncertain as to what drama I helped create, I stayed in my seat. I watched as the sun traversed overhead and illuminated the mountains in the distance.

Would the roses still smell as sweet now that Romeo is no longer a Montague? Neither is he a Capulet?

In a world full of collectivists demanding servitude, how will an individual fare against two opposing forces: the AI Montagues and the human Capulets?)

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Romeo and Juliet’s What’s in a Name scene: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30LupDzYp4s&t=112s

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FYI: The name of the robot was changed to 3811, and will be reflected in past creative nonfiction stories.

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For a story about being your own hero, read The Quantum Consciousness Saga narrative: The Reality Hackers.

When a group of scientists corrupts reality and creates a consciousness paradox, one man, Justin Chisum, decides to stand against his former research partner, Bernard Chester, and correct the problem. 

Justin must find and convince his other partner, Emma Gillespie that her world is inverted as well as his and hopes that she will help him defeat Bernard’s planned ascension, which left unchallenged will create a destructive quantum singularity.

Will Justin make it in time to save the universe from certain annihilation? Or, will his plan fail because he believes what Bernard’s reality creates for him: a fairy tale illusion of reality? 

Not all fairy tales have happy endings, will Justin’s? 

Visit the saga on Undawnted and purchase your copies at: http://www.undawnted.com/p/the-reality-hackers.html and http://www.undawnted.com/p/quantum-consciousness-saga.html .

More Quantum Consciousness Saga coming up in WordCrafter’s Midnight Madness with DL Mullan’s Shadowmancer.

See you there!

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DL Mullan’s lecture, Spacescapes: Where Photography Ends; Imagination Begins, debuted at the Phoenix Astronomy Society, which then led to her Sally Ride Festival lectures. Her presentation, Bridging the Gap between Technology and Women, won her accolades at a community college’s Student Success Conference. She has been a panelist at speculative fiction, science fiction, and other regional conventions. Her digital exhibition pieces have won awards at convention art shows, as well as garnered her Second Premium at the Arizona State Fair. As an independent publisher, she uses her technical background to innovate in the creative arts.

As a creator, Ms. Mullan, began writing short stories and poetry before adolescence. Over the years, she has showcased her literary talents by self-publishing several collections of her poetry. She also writes novels, designs apparel, and creates digital art. DL Mullan‘s creative writing is available in digital and print collections, from academia to commercial anthologies. She is an award-winning digital artist and poet.

Currently, she has embarked on writing her multi-book Legacy Universe, Supernatural Superhero Series, as well as creating original soundtracks for her publications and independent electronic music albums, featured on SoundCloud and YouTube.

DL Mullan holds a Master of Arts in Teaching and Learning with Technology, and is a syndicated columnist, writing the creative nonfiction, Undawntech.

For news and updates, subscribe to the Undawntable Newsletter. Find DL on Amazon, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube via her website.

Be sure to subscribe to her newsletters and follow her on social media. For further information, visit her at www.undawntech.com and www.undawnted.com.

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