Post by mythusmage on Aug 18, 2004 17:12:18 GMT -5
The Urth set-up sounded good back in 1993, but with current advanced in computer science (among other things) it doesn't sound so hot today. So I came up with this alternate.
Back before The Computer took things over it was discovered that people could not be 'downloaded' into computer memory. Awareness stayed with the body. In addition, people could not be kept in Full Immersion Virtual Reality (FIVR) indefinitely. They needed them in real life else the body and mind would deteriorate, resulting in first insanity, then death.
With personality download and FIVR out of the question The Computer had to come up with another scheme to keep things under control.
The final answer consists of a combination of sublimanal messages, selective breeding for conservatism in dwelling and progress, and a bit of direct control when deemed necessary.
When a person sees a need (however distasteful otherwise) to go somewhere else he starts on the journey as normal, but along the way (usually at a specially equipped inn with a real deepbasement) he is drugged and taken in his sleep to a FIVR center where he goes through the rest of the trip. When he is ready to return back home he 'journeys' back to the inn in question where he awakens physically in the bed he originally fell asleep in.
On those occasions when The Computer sees the need to move people around (to avoid inbreeding or to spread desirable traits to new areas) it will take the subject to a special FIVR center where memories etc. are altered to fit the new environment. If necessary personality can be altered, even changed entirely if such seems necessary. Still, there are times when the alterations are not totally effective. Depending on the new environment these ghost memories can be explained away as reincarnation, insanity, demon possession, spirit journeys, or any number of handwaving techniques. Due to the drawbacks this is not used very often.
So there you have my suggestion for updating how The Computer controls Urth. Hope it helps.
Back before The Computer took things over it was discovered that people could not be 'downloaded' into computer memory. Awareness stayed with the body. In addition, people could not be kept in Full Immersion Virtual Reality (FIVR) indefinitely. They needed them in real life else the body and mind would deteriorate, resulting in first insanity, then death.
With personality download and FIVR out of the question The Computer had to come up with another scheme to keep things under control.
The final answer consists of a combination of sublimanal messages, selective breeding for conservatism in dwelling and progress, and a bit of direct control when deemed necessary.
When a person sees a need (however distasteful otherwise) to go somewhere else he starts on the journey as normal, but along the way (usually at a specially equipped inn with a real deepbasement) he is drugged and taken in his sleep to a FIVR center where he goes through the rest of the trip. When he is ready to return back home he 'journeys' back to the inn in question where he awakens physically in the bed he originally fell asleep in.
On those occasions when The Computer sees the need to move people around (to avoid inbreeding or to spread desirable traits to new areas) it will take the subject to a special FIVR center where memories etc. are altered to fit the new environment. If necessary personality can be altered, even changed entirely if such seems necessary. Still, there are times when the alterations are not totally effective. Depending on the new environment these ghost memories can be explained away as reincarnation, insanity, demon possession, spirit journeys, or any number of handwaving techniques. Due to the drawbacks this is not used very often.
So there you have my suggestion for updating how The Computer controls Urth. Hope it helps.
