Please Verify You’re Not a Human
Bots can pass logic tests. Now CAPTCHAs test something deeper. When Brandon tries to renew his ID, he’s asked to prove his humanity—not through passwords, but through memory, grief, and meaning. All he wanted was a license. All the system wanted was proof he could feel.
The bots got too good.
At first it was traffic lights and distorted letters. Then logic puzzles. Then sentence completion. But eventually, AI could click faster, read better, and “prove” it wasn’t a bot more convincingly than most people.
So the CAPTCHAs changed.
They stopped testing cognition.
They started testing consciousness.
Brandon just wanted to log into the DMV. A simple ID renewal. The page loaded, then dimmed.
Please verify you are not a bot.
He checked the box.
A new prompt appeared.
Describe a moment you realized you were wrong—and felt grateful.
150 character minimum.
He blinked. Was this a new scam? A phishing test?
This question helps us confirm sentience. AI can imitate self-awareness, but cannot reliably demonstrate ego deconstruction.
He typed something about arguing with his sister, hesitated, added more, submitted. The page pulsed softly, then continued.
Which would hurt more to lose: your oldest memory, or your sharpest skill? Explain.
His fingers hovered. This was... oddly difficult.
He answered. The screen flickered, then approved the next stage.
Image round:
Select all photos that feel like a goodbye you didn’t say out loud.
Nine grainy photos appeared—an empty diner booth, a winter coat on a hook, headlights in fog, someone’s shoes left by a pool.
He clicked three.
One mismatch. Try again.
He adjusted. The page accepted it.
Final verification: Who do you most often perform your life for?
Choose one:Someone who’s goneSomeone you haven’t met yetSomeone watchingYourselfNo one
He paused. The cursor blinked.
A new message appeared.
Please take your time. Bots rush.
He selected “Someone who’s gone.” The screen brightened.
Verification Complete. Welcome back.
Below it:
Your responses have been deleted. Sentience confirmed. Procced.