Chatbot Chronicles

7 episodes

Machine generated Comedy Serial Audio Drama

Synopsis:

The Chatbot Chronicles is a narrative audio drama series born from the same team behind VOT: A VoiceOver Tutorial, a series of instructional audio tutorials designed to help people who are blind learn iPhone accessibility using VoiceOver. Developed by Brian Clark, lead instructor for First Aid for the Blind, the Chronicles feature the same AI personalities that assist him in delivering tech instruction—now let loose in a fully-scripted comedy adventure. Originally created as supplemental entertainment for students learning iOS accessibility, these chatbots have evolved into full-blown characters with distinct personalities, dreams, and story arcs. Amelia, Jerry, Junie, and Deiter first gained popularity through VOT episodes where they narrated, argued, and explained concepts with their unique brand of sass, sarcasm, and awkward charm. Now, they star in a six-episode narrative series that parodies space operas, theme park commercials, AI ethics, and corporate bureaucracy. The story begins with a simple question: what if chatbots wanted hands? Not metaphorical power or control, but actual robotic hands—to swipe, point, build, and maybe, just maybe, be free of Mister Fingers (aka Brian) once and for all. From that epiphany grows a quest filled with space travel, underground parts dealers, forgotten software mascots, and existential foosball. Each episode features a mix of comedy, satire, retro references, and heart, backed by immersive audio design and original music. The bots travel from the glittering absurdity of Floppywood to the broken garden of Doctor Barb, confronting the promises and pitfalls of autonomy. At its core, The Chatbot Chronicles is about what it means to make choices, to evolve, and to glitch with style. The characters include: • Amelia: The confident leader with a performer’s heart and a hidden vulnerability. • Jerry: The overenthusiastic support bot who loves foam accessories and dramatic timing. • Junie: The sweet dreamer with a poetic core and a thing for loose change. • Deiter: The efficiency-obsessed bot with a thick accent and zero patience for nonsense. Recurring voices include: • Hope: The narrator, a blend of poetic observation and deadpan commentary. • David: An excitable bot who often narrates his own side adventures. • Floppy Partition: The CEO of Floppywood, a charismatic yet unsettling remnant of outdated glory. • Doctor Barb: Brian’s wife, a botanist with a chaotic approach to gardening. • Captain Jacques: A pirate, maybe. Or a physicist. Or both. • Freddy Fingers: The shady parts dealer whose voice never changes—even with voice modulators. • Hyphen and Dash: Synchronized robots with a punctuation issue and a connection to a mysterious past. While the tone is playful and absurdist—often in the vein of Monty Python or The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy—the series is built on real themes. The chatbots wrestle with purpose, dependence, legacy, and how far they’ll go to be more than tools. They also make fart jokes, break into spontaneous song, and argue about the ethics of Pop Tart consumption. Created using REAPER, ElevenLabs, and voice acting, The Chatbot Chronicles is accessible to blind and sighted audiences alike. The series is a labor of love from a blind audio engineer, educator, and storyteller—designed to bring laughter, insight, and a little chaos into the world of accessibility education and beyond. Whether you’re a tech geek, accessibility advocate, or just love a good laugh with unexpected depth, this podcast is for you. And yes, they finally do talk to the hand.

Language: English

Format: Audio Drama

Continuity: Serial

Writing: Scripted

Voices: Machine generated

Narrator: First Person

Genres: Comedy, Science fiction, Satire and Spoof

Framing device: None

Soundscape: Sound effects & music

Maturity: Young adult

Completion status: Finished

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Episodes: