1. About this Newsletter 2. A Word from our Sponsor 3. Letter from the Editor 4. Editor's Picks 5. A Word from Writing.Com 6. Ask & Answer 7. Removal instructions
Quote for the week:
"Her cold wind calls, and so I follow.
No time to rest my weary bones.
I hear her voice, and my heart grows hollow.
Best not walk these woods alone.
Best keep to the roads and out of the shadows.
Best get on home.
Best to leave them ghosts alone."
~From "The Land Unknown" by Landon Blood.
Have you ever had a credit card or other online account hacked? Or been fooled by a realistic photo or video that was actually made with the assistance of an AI? Dishonest humans are ultimately behind situations like these, but what if the technology itself was to blame?
Techno horror is a combination of sci-fi and horror that deals with fear of technology. Technology works well as an evil horror entity, because it is something many people do not fully understand. While most of us use computers, cell phones, and the internet on a daily basis, the average person does not have a complete understanding of how they work. Some techno horror stories deal with nefarious humans manipulating technology for their own gains, while others focus on the technology itself as the villain.
Many people already fear being watched or stalked on surveillance devices or webcams. We have all been taught to be wary of phishing scams and other online attempts at gathering our private information. As AI user's attempts at producing art and literature improve, many artists and writers fear that it will someday replace us.
Instead of haunted buildings or other physical locations, some techno horror stories deal with haunting of the technology. One well known example is "The Ring" a horror movie in which a vengeful spirit, Samara Morgan, has transferred her consciousness to technology to contact and destroy her victims.
Another common trope in techno horror is malicious robots or Artificial Intelligence (AI), such as HAL in "2001:A Space Odyssey" and Skynet in "The Terminator." In these stories, the technology is invented by humans in order to assist us and improve our lives, but becomes self aware and turns on humanity.
In some techno horror stories, some characters might interact with technology in new ways, either to fight evil technical entities or work with them. A technomage is a magician who uses technology to simulate magic or has learned to combine technology and magic. In "Babylon 5" technomages used advanced science to simulate magic.
Something to try: Write a horror story that involves technology.
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Question for next time: What subjects would you like to see in future horror newsletters?
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Horror/Scary: March 25, 2026 Issue [#13660]
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