EPISODE 1 – MINDING YOUR BUSINESSDive into a novel technology for recording ideas. The benefactor of this treasure can fulfill aspirations through subsequent generations.
Dive into a novel technology for recording ideas. The benefactor of this treasure can fulfill aspirations through subsequent generations.
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An Intellectual Dilemma
CHERISH your thoughts. The loss of a notable creative person takes everyone by surprise, vanquishing future potential. The corporate marriage of two powerhouse companies now makes it possible for anyone’s creative aspirations to outlive them.
The founder of a high-tech company held part of the puzzle with his foray into a brain implant that reanimates paralyzed patients. It was acquired by another mega-company that developed a fully immersive augmented reality interface. Independently, they were two novel concepts.
The amazing breakthrough is called Lenticular Neural Pathways, or LNP, within the company. This device with a subscription service incorporates an innovative technique for mapping out the creative areas of the brain. Like never before, it displays results in an exciting interactive augmented reality format.
The Secret Challenges
Tate Jennings is a Silicon Valley billionaire overseeing the technology. To achieve his position, he performed hostile takeovers of rival companies. He also offered venture capital to fledgling businesses in exchange for a controlling stake. Afterward, he funneled the most valuable ideas into his empire. Such tactics earned him many enemies.
The possibility of transferring his consciousness into another brain encourages him to test an LNP prototype on himself. It’s a thrilling concept that ignites his imagination and offers the potential for mental immortality.
Although he keeps details of the project on a need-to-know basis, high-level programmers have access to important secrets. Astrid Bergstrom works long hours with the team to impress her boss and benefit from being on the ground floor of perhaps the most revolutionary product of the century. Despite her commitment, she has dual ambitions for wealth and marriage.
During device tests with Astrid, Tate sees himself submerged beneath the ocean among thoughts resembling colorful fish. By stroking the small fish, they become larger with more vibrant colors. Blue bubbles spew from their mouths like audible text messages.
Astrid faces pressure from a rival company to share trade secrets. A large salary and stock options maintain the focus of her ambitions of running the LNP division someday.
One of the challenges is filtering private thoughts when storing creative ideas on a secure server. While interacting with Tate through the LNP device, Astrid swims around him as a topless mermaid. This discovery leads to uncomfortable private conversations, initially in her office but later in his home.
“A considerable amount of human intervention is necessary to train artificial intelligence to filter thoughts that shouldn’t remain on our data servers,” Astrid complains. “I anticipate privacy complaints as we pass… undesirable fantasies… or real indiscretions to successors.”
“That’s why I hired you,” Tate responds, sipping a glass of Scotch while seated on his sofa. “You should be able to zero in on the decision-making and creative neural pathways, discarding the superfluous.”
“That line blurs within a creative mind like yours. Your aspirations take place in an underwater world with sea creatures,” Astrid explains, blushing while broaching an uncomfortable topic. “I am half woman and half fish during our conversations in your visions.”
“Is there a way to convert indecent thoughts into a non-visual format?”
“The judgment call exposes the private thoughts to a programmer. I’ve been attempting to exclude the recurring indecent mermaid notions, but she is a prominent figure in your ideas.”
“This conversation requires candor. I love scuba diving as much as this project. So, apparently my ideas present themselves in metaphoric ocean themes. Can you clothe the mermaid?”
“That’s a viable option, but this is only one example of creativity. Others could entertain fictitious notions of violence during the story-writing process. It’s challenging to distinguish reality from fantasy.”
Flattered by Tate’s obsession, Ingrid probes, “While we’re on the subject, can I ask if your mermaid suggests that you have a special attraction to me?”
“I can’t lie to you as my mindreader, but there are ethical considerations to pursuing a relationship with a subordinate. More importantly, I simply have little time to nurture a romantic fantasy.”
Astrid attempts to hide her displeasure with his response. The venue change from the office to his home seemed to indicate they were growing closer.
The Virtually Real Dangers
In the ruthless crush-or-be-crushed business world, Tate insulates himself from enemies within a gated compound. He travels with an entourage of security guards. Visitors to his offices must pass through metal detectors.
The augmented reality is his escape from the dangers of life. Tate’s backyard pool is another refuge. There is a replication of the most enchanting underworld locations he has visited. He can practice scuba diving among iridescent coral reefs while interacting with exotic sea creatures.
In a shocking discovery, one foggy morning, the security team finds Tate’s lifeless body floating in the pool. There is immediate suspicion of foul play, unsupported by a thorough investigation. His aspirations submerge with him like a sinking ship, but have the potential to buoy him to the surface through his digital archive.
Continued…
Return twice weekly for miniseries. Any relation to actual persons or events is coincidental. Login provides the most immersive experience. About 1800 total words. Cinematic materials are available with ClinicalNovellas Cinematic membership.
