In this episode of Speculative Fiction Tales, Jon Cronshaw delivers a modern morality tale about digital justice, hypocrisy, and the dangerous game of public moral arbitration.

"Cancel Culture Club" introduces us to Brandon Kane, the charismatic host of "Call-Out Club," a wildly successful livestream dedicated to exposing the hypocrisy and misdeeds of public figures. As Brandon systematically dismantles the career of an environmental activist with a secret carbon footprint, he's at the peak of his influence—feared, respected, and completely unaware that his own digital past is about to catch up with him.

Themes & Topics

• Digital accountability and its double-edged nature

• The performance of moral outrage as entertainment

• The permanence of our digital footprints

• Public punishment versus genuine accountability

• The business model of cancellation

• The thin line between justice and revenge

Listener Discretion

This episode contains references to offensive online behaviour and explores complex ethical questions about public shaming that some listeners may find uncomfortable.

About the Author

Jon Cronshaw crafts speculative fiction that examines contemporary digital culture with unflinching clarity. His stories often probe the moral complexities of online life and the psychological impact of social media on both individuals and society at large.

Support the Show

If you enjoyed this story, please consider supporting Jon Cronshaw by becoming a patron. Your support helps bring these stories to life and gives you early access to audio stories plus exclusive text versions of every episode. Visit patreon.com/joncronshawauthor to learn more.

Keywords

Cancel culture, social media, digital accountability, online influence, call-out culture, internet justice, digital footprint, Jon Cronshaw, contemporary fiction, moral hypocrisy, internet fame, digital consequences

In this macabre and darkly comedic episode of Speculative Fiction Tales, Jon Cronshaw serves up a deliciously disturbing glimpse into a world where cannibalism isn't just accepted—it's celebrated as a cherished tradition.

"Eating" introduces us to an unnamed narrator who casually reflects on the culinary merits of recently deceased family members while preparing their own grandmother's remains. With matter-of-fact delivery and chilling nonchalance, they muse on family recipes, funeral etiquette, and the proper distribution of human remains in a society where consuming the dead has become normalised.

Themes & Topics

• The malleability of social taboos

• Family traditions and rituals around death

• The commodification of human remains

• Class divisions in funerary practices

• The search for meaning and connection in death

• The thin veneer between civilization and barbarism

Listener Discretion

This episode contains explicit descriptions of cannibalism presented in a casual, normalised manner that some listeners may find disturbing.

About the Author

Jon Cronshaw crafts speculative fiction that challenges social norms and examines how easily the unthinkable could become mundane under the right circumstances. His flash fiction often delivers maximum impact through deceptively simple premises taken to their logical—and frequently horrifying—conclusions.

Support the Show

If you enjoyed this story, please consider supporting Jon Cronshaw by becoming a patron. Your support helps bring these stories to life and gives you early access to audio stories plus exclusive text versions of every episode. Visit patreon.com/joncronshawauthor to learn more.

Keywords

Cannibalism, social norms, dark comedy, funeral traditions, taboo inversion, family rituals, speculative society, flash fiction, Jon Cronshaw, horror humor, social commentary, death customs

In this darkly comedic episode of Speculative Fiction Tales, Jon Cronshaw delivers a biting satire of influencer culture and the often stark contrast between online personas and private realities.

"The Mediocre Maverick" follows Millie, a social media personality who has built her brand and fortune on promoting the joys of mediocrity and unremarkable living. Her "Mediocrity Maverick" persona preaches the gospel of beige walls, predictable routines, and embracing life's most mundane moments.

But behind the carefully curated facade of ordinariness lurks a woman who secretly craves the extraordinary. When her thrilling skydiving hobby is accidentally exposed during a livestream, we witness the desperate lengths she'll go to protect her empire of averageness—and the shocking turn events take when her carefully constructed world begins to unravel.

Themes & Topics

• The performance of authenticity in social media

• The commodification of lifestyle philosophies

• The disconnect between public personas and private lives

• The extreme pressure of maintaining a personal brand

• How quickly violence can erupt when livelihoods are threatened

• The dark humor in turning even tragedy into content

Listener Discretion

This episode contains sudden violence and a death that some listeners may find disturbing.

About the Author

Jon Cronshaw crafts speculative fiction that examines our relationship with technology and social media. His stories often feature characters caught between their authentic selves and the versions they present to the world, revealing the psychological toll of living a double life in the digital age.

Support the Show

If you enjoyed this story, please consider supporting Jon Cronshaw by becoming a patron. Your support helps bring these stories to life and gives you early access to audio stories plus exclusive text versions of every episode. Visit patreon.com/joncronshawauthor to learn more.

Free Story Collection

Download Jon's free short story collection "Optimised" featuring ten thought-provoking tales exploring technology, society, and human nature. Visit joncronshaw.com/optimised to sign up for his newsletter and download your copy today.

Keywords

Influencer culture, social media personas, personal branding, authenticity, double lives, dark comedy, flash fiction, Jon Cronshaw, content creation, digital identity, livestreaming consequences