This is outstanding. Lighthouses are such powerful metaphors. I very much love them, and have used them the same way in fiction, and had; too, experiences with trying to reach them and failing to do so.
I wish I had a bigger vote to give to this story.
On the topic of lighthouses as metaphor, and indeed, the landscapes that necessitate their existence, there is an absolutely brilliant song by Florence & The Machine called Landscape which touches on so many of the themes you distill in your story. (I do not listen to just metal!)
I highly encourage you to listen to it closely. It’s beautiful and haunting, just like this story.
A perfect accident with the introduction of digital noise and artefacts in your image, too! :)
Thanks @holoz0r . I was aware I wouldn't get votes on this story, but had to write it anyway so I'm grateful for anyone reading it! Sometimes longer posts don't do well if they are creative writing, I've found!
I was inspired by a news article I read about a couple who saw an ad for a cablecar and went to see it but it didn't exist! Combined with the video about the lighthouse and digital decay I sent you, I started writing and the themes took care of themselves. I started really getting interested in how we see the world, and remember details, in different ways, as well as how they might influence the perception of AI generated content.
It took a few days to write on my phone down the coast in the back of the Land Rover with no reception!
I will absolutely listen to that song tomorrow. A friend over at the moment.
Thanks again for your vote of confidence, I appreciate it o much.
I've struggled to write things on my iPad with a keyboard, let alone in the back of a vehicle on a much smaller device.
At the end of the day, the method of writing doesn't matter, but the output. There are voids in reality everywhere, and advertising is one of those most deep and vacant spaces. It can sometimes take a lot of attention to identify what is, and what isn't included.
I was scrolling through car sales today, and in among the vehicles were sponsored ads for ebay "Cars" at lower than they should be prices (for cars) - but if you looked closely, they will die cast models or lego. :D
I wonder how many people they've got through that scam.
Enjoy the song, and enjoy the human company.