Category: 2018

[The Balance of Souls]

This is part of a world descript for a science fiction setting. If you got here by accident, hit the back button on your browser.

WW3 broke out for a variety of reasons: terrorism and related instability, income inequality and inaccessibility to necessary resources (such as healthcare and clean water), and an ongoing refugee crisis. Essentially, the world faced open rebellion and continuing conflict. Countries defaulted to old loyalties, and the world devolved into open warfare to the point that almost nowhere went untouched. I’m not going to go into too many specifics here on the war itself since I’d father focus on sorting out the setting details pertaining to the history immediately after.

When almost everyone was finally weary of fighting, what leaders were left in the world met in Geneva (in honor of the Geneva convention, since it was believed that the historical humanitarian connection would bolster their credibility). They hammered out an agreement for one unified nation of the world under what they referred to as the more humane system. Instead of separate countries (which, by this point, were seen mainly as hotbeds for harmful nationalism, misallocation of resources, and divisive alliances), the world would be united into a single nation. The former individual countries would become like states with a newly formed worldwide government functioning like the US’s federal government (even closer than countries in the EU). Certain localities such as Catalonia, Kurdistan, the American South, and Scotland were granted the same state-like status. Resources were to be allocated based on need, and all currency was abolished. At this point, major portions of the world have devolved to a barter system or community self-sufficiency, so it was actually easier to abolish currency rather than try to convert what was left into one unified system. For details on the economy and politics that resulted, see that link (off the main Balance of Souls world descript).

Although certain allegiances fought this more humane system (yes, terrorism still existed), most people saw it as an ideal to reach for. The more humane system was set out in a series of points distributed freely in all major languages across the internet. They saw unprecedented individual and community action in favor of this new model of government. Against all odds to the contrary (such as unstable regions, allegiances, propaganda, and the like), the more humane system was victorious, and the world entered a stage of peace. Historians by time point two speculated that the world was ready for an end to the conflict. The resulting government leans what our modern day would call leftist, but they still lack one unified ideology.

Although the majority of the above probably seems a bit vague, that is because I don’t want to accidentally limit later stories by creating specific players or major battles. This is just for reference for their basic history.

[The Balance of Souls]

This section will be forever incomplete. As I continue to write stories set in this setting, I will inevitably create new technologies to add to this list. Also, I do let other people write in my settings. So, if someone does create a fitting technology someday that impresses me, I’ll add it to this list. Technologies are listed by the story where they made their first appearance. Here goes:

Victim – The health monitoring system. It’s for your health, right? Every person is required to wear a special watch on their wrist that also functions to monitor their vitals. In the event of a heart attack, for example, emergency services are automatically notified and a special bot arrives to transfer the person to a self-driving ambulance. However, it is rumored that people can disable the notifications side of it, so that emergency services are not notified. In the event of a lesser medical issue that may still require medical attention (such as an irregular heartbeat), a beep alerts the wearer.  A voice key (usually set by the owner of the watch) can be used to call for emergency assistance in other situations, such as a devastating fall. However, it is a well-known fact that the government uses the health monitoring system to track humans. For example, if a crime is committed in an area, the military police (yes, these are the same thing by this time point) can access the health monitoring system’s records to see who was in the area at the time. A watch will also warn a wearer if they are entering a dangerous or restricted area. To clarify: most laws at this point are restricted to maintaining the more humane system and not harming a fellow living being. For example, rape and animal abuse are illegal on a worldwide scale. However, you will not see the military police sent in to track down someone for building code violations, for example (especially since bots have already repaired the damage by then).

Victim – murderscreens / news screens. To deliver news more reliably to the general populace, large screen were set up on the sides of buildings. What billboards and advertising screens survived WW3 were appropriated for news distribution. Editorials are relegated essentially just to the internet. In order to ensure the accuracy of the news, only certain approved stories (literally approved by a panel of elected people who still choose to work in journalism) and emergency broadcasts are allowed to be distributed via these screens. Murderscreen is the nickname given when victims of violence have their photos displayed in the days leading up to the Day of Remembrance.

Victim – Jets. Similar to modern day airplanes and jets, except most of these are smaller and carry passengers for shorter distances (such as from New York City to Philadelphia). More efficient forms of air travel have been adopted for longer distances, such as looping into the upper atmosphere and back, although these are classified differently. Older style airplanes are essentially out of commission, although you might still see some in areas that took longer to recover from WW3, such as the Middle East. Jets are all automatically self-driving (freeing the people who used to drive them so they no longer have to work), but a human override is available in case of emergency.

Victim – Repair technologies. Mostly bots with computer chips, mechanical arms, and either solar panels or another self-recharging power source. All bots are equip with basic AIs. Depending on their function, the bots will vary in size. Most of them can move along the ground on wheels or fly through the air like drones. They can be creative in their appearance (depending on their function and creaters), although most favor functionality. It should be noted that these are not very large. Emalyn tries to describe the largest of these “robots” in Will to Speak:

“She held her hands in front of her, trying to make a rough size. It was maybe a five gallon water jug that she came up with. Or possibly a small storage bin.”

Victim – Unidentified Flying Technology (UFTs for short). The sky is so cluttered that these are a frequent occurrence, but overall they’re not too distracting.

Victim – Trains / Subways. Yes, these still exist (at least partially because this writers likes trains). By this time point, they are much more efficient forms of public transit. The inside design is very similar to our modern day (including the artificial lights), although the outside design varies based on location, distance, and occasion. Cars and such do still exist, but are actually a lot rarer than they are today. Most cars, trains, subways and the like are automatically self-driving, but a human override is available in case of emergency. The car self-driving function can be turned off, but only with a proper license (this is only awarded after an exceptionally rigorous series of safety tests). Even then, the car is equipped with various safety features, such as automatic brakes and headlights.

Victim – Cleaning bots. Think how a janitor cart is designed, except add scanners, a computer chip, and two mechanical arms. These have replaced hotel maids, school janitors, cleaning services and the like so the people who previously filled those jobs don’t have to work anymore. Keys to the facility they’re assigned to (since, yes, some areas are still locked to the general public) are carried along with necessary supplies. For details about how hotel ownership works, see the earlier link off the main Balance of Souls world descript pertaining to the politics and economy of time point two.

Victim – Eatery tables and mechanical servers. A tablet-like screen is at the center of the table so humans can input commands at a restaurant, night club, bar, or other eatery (freeing the people who previously held those jobs so they no longer have to work). Pet variations do exist, but these vary in complexity and functionality (and, arguably, effectiveness) depending on the pet. Once an order is selected via the touchscreen, the screen itself lifts up so a serving tray can slide out. After it’s appropriately settled, the tray will melt back into the table (although the table itself appears barely porous). Most of these screens will have an ‘in case of human error’ reset-style button. Hold it down for three counts and the device either assumes you want all the inputs selected or you want to start over (depending on the actual model). The human error button will beep. The table itself is made so that spills will slide down into it (similar to the carpet and flooring). Every month or so the device will initiate self-cleaning.

Victim – Static serving trays. Mica explained this one to the reader when they were in the candy store in Victim: “The woman behind the counter picked up one [candy piece] with the serving tongs, putting it on a little static serving tray. The technology was a little dated, basic. When active, a grey box half the size of my thumb would break off into four corners, forming a clear field between them. This field would hold the sample, allowing her to pass it to him. Once deactivated, it would become that grey box again and he would return it.” The version in the book is very basic (and, as stated, a bit dated), but the basic premise is the same regardless of the model.

Victim – Food service place (also known as a food service station). For the free distribution of food to the populace, since not everywhere has a food replicator yet. By government decree, all food service places have to be open 24-hours and serve anyone who walks in. Some are staffed vis bots or mechanical servers (such as the earlier described tables). However, most food service places are actually staffed by convicts, as part of the more humane system’s attempt at humane convict reform. All prisons by this time have been replaced with work programs. Although food service places could easily be staffed entirely by bots or mechanical servers, forced labor is more common. Yes, there are many protests against the use of forced labor, but the majority of the populace still fears convicts. That being said, the convicts of this time are mostly only exceptionally violent offenders, such as rapists, murderers, and terrorists. It is common for people to illegally tattoo their allegiances after conviction, but the government does not bother having these marks forcibly removed (partially to serve as a warning, partially because of freedom of speech). At a food service place, a convict server will wear special collars on their wrists and ankles to keep them locked into a limited area (think a dog’s electronic fence, except strong enough to prevent them from leaving). There is also a counter in between them and the general populace to make the average person feel safer.

Victim – Food Replicators (see time point three’s technology post for specifics to that time point). Most individual and family residences are equipped with a basic food replicator. The most common model looks like a small oven door with a tablet-like interface above it. It beeps once an ingredient is ready. Otherwise, the door remains locked. However, these are mostly just capable of basic ingredients, so some cooking is still required to prepare a meal. For example, if Ms. Henson in Victim wants to prepare vegetable fajitas, she can use the food replicator to form the flour tortillas, bell peppers, onion, spinach, and whatever other vegetables she wants to add. Spices are too complicated – the taste tends to be off if someone tries to create them in a food replicator. So, Ms. Henson would probably keep spices and cooking oil in a cabinet instead. She would have to actually stir fry the vegetables to finish preparing the meal. The technology is not perfect, so it would probably take her at least an hour to actually create all the tortillas and vegetables.

Victim – Rapid Heal (see time point three’s technology post for specifics to that time point). Rapid heals in time point two look and function almost the same as they do in time point three, expect that they are not yet portable. Essentially, a small rapid heal looks like a medium-sized box with a tube-shaped hole cut through the exterior side of it. Most individual and family residences are equipped with one. Most hotel rooms will also have small ones. Function keys (as opposed to touch screens) are used to activate it. In the event of a malfunction, rapid heals are designed to shut down. Larger, full-body rapid heals do exist, but they are still not as prevalent. For the most part, full-body rapid heals are only found in hospitals. Although a rapid heal can fix most injuries in less than ten minutes, they are known to leave a persistent itch afterwards.

Victim – Water distribution. This is usually done via mechanical street vendors in addition to basic sinks and food replicators to ensure accessibility in case of emergency. Passersby can take automatically bottled water, drink from a fountain, or maybe activate an attached hose depending on the model. In case of emergency, such as a fire, bots can activate a hydrant-like spout.

Victim – Gun Safety measures. A safety thumbprint scanner is required on all legal guns. However, these safety measures can be hacked. For example, older models can still be hacked if someone tapes a ridged fingerprint over it (this has to be exact in order to work, but allows for anyone to put the required amount of pressure on it). Essentially all illegal guns have been confiscated (mostly via bots). In order to purchase a gun, an individual has to go through a rigorous background check and safety training. Even then, only a limited number of guns is allowed to be in the hands of the general population

Victim – the ability to turn off gravity. The technology causes the air to have a sharp static-like buzzing to it. Originally, people could use it in little pockets basically whenever, but that started causing too many problems with infrastructure and child safety. Now, you need a special license to possess one (and someone can only attain this license after a series of rigorous safety classes). The technology itself looks like a white 3ft-3ft-2ft box, and can only effect the surrounding approximately 1200 cubic feet (that’s roughly the size of a living room).

Machine Planet – the machine planet. Details will be added here later, when I return to this project. In the meantime, you can find some details in the ventures into space post off the main world descript.

[The Balance of Souls]

To start, here is that half a paragraph from the main setting descript:

There are still humans elected to the top positions of government, but they bicker for almost laughably absurd proportions of their days, to the point that infrastructure improvements, public mental hygiene programs, and other programs someone decided a human should sign off on (to prevent negligence and apathy, supposedly) are either grossly neglected or randomly excessively extravagant. For example, there exists a park with silver orbs for a waterfall, an artificial purple sky, and blue grass. However, the crumbling parking lot outside is riddled with weeds and potholes. The majority of the populace considers their government a running joke, and is actually grateful to give technology more power over their lives.

The main government is meant to function like how the US federal government relates to the states, except over the entire world. The World Executive is elected by the world populace (I say populace because this is not taken anywhere near as seriously as it is today – the occasional intelligent monkey, cat, orangutan, or dog is known to vote), along with a vice executive and several advisors. The legislative is comprised of two elected representatives of every former country (and certain select localities such as Catalonia, Kurdistan, the American South, and Scotland). The highest level judicial system is the World Court, essentially what used to be the UN. Former countries and select localities function like states, except each with their own preferred form of government. To see how this new government was formed, see the link off the main world descript pertaining to WW3. Fortunately, technology has advanced enough that the issues and arguments of government no longer impact the average person (at least not as often as in the real world). There are no more taxes (see following). I have left out names and certain specifics to allow for some fun ideas in future stories. (Minor disclaimer: yes, I understand that most politicians in the real world are genuinely trying to do their best. I just want the potential to poke fun at an absurdly-exaggerated concept.)

Now for the economy. The means of production in this time point have advanced far enough that humans (for the most part) no longer need to work. Technology will cover all of their basic needs. In fact, too many people trying to work is actually seen as a hindrance due to the frequency of human error. Any humans that do still work do so because they idealistically want to. Scientists and inventors are more common than in our modern day, and they have free access to information and resources. Certain limited resources (such as radioactive materials) are distributed based on decision by a panel voted for by people who choose to work in the particular field. This is a profound cultural shift. Although, unlike star trek, humans do not claim to work to better themselves, although a character may still hear that on occasion. Instead, humans are free to pursue their interests and passions if pursuit interests them. On the other hand, if a human wants to lie around all day and watch movies, that is still considered acceptable (since a human’s worth is no longer measured by their productivity).

A person who wants to run, for example, a hotel or candy store can still go run one. However, official ownership of major property (such as stores, hotels, factories, and land) has been abolished. If no person in an area wants to run a hotel, bots (and their corresponding AIs) will do it automatically. In Victim, Mica and Rina enter a candy store. The woman who helps run it is elderly (Mica estimates her age at late eighties), but she tells them that the little place is their passion. She legitimately wants to run a candy store, and is therefore given that opportunity. Without a person running it, there could still be candy store in the area, but it would be run by bots and mechanical servers. This type of economy is actually much more efficient at this level of technology and generates a lot less waste. The majority of energy is either solar, tidal, wind, or acquired via a self-recharging power source (all smaller and drastically more efficient).

Although the military does technically still exist, it functions more like a combination between law enforcement and an emergency rapid response team (for in the event of a hurricane, for example). By this time point, it is already called the military police. Troopers are special officers of the military police; they’re trained to be the elite line of defense (in case of terrorism or armed conflict, for example).

Now for another Thursday update. This was a busy week, so I didn’t type out a regular post. I did outline a few, but didn’t make it far enough to actually finish one. You get a Thursday update instead. (I know these are probably not that interesting to read, but I’m trying to get myself into the habit of posting on Thursdays.)

Speaking of outlines, I have finally outlined the Balance of Souls world descript! I have one book published in this setting (Victim), another book soon-to-be published (Into the Unknown), and one that’s my current main project (working title: Natsume). So, it makes sense to work on this setting. Although I have it outlined, I still have to fill in (or at least type up) some of the details. For example, I have most of a lexicon list for time point three, but it’s still just handwritten on the back of my Natsume editings. I have to finish it and type out the list before I can actually post it, but that’s only one segment of the world descript. I’ll probably just have to take a few hours someday soon to finally put all the information together and type it. Maybe Monday.

Natsume’s day one finally has a complete outline, along with the beginning of day 2. I already know the ultimate ending, so it’s just a matter of figuring out what all I want to go where in the middle. As for the actual draft, it’s currently only a few thousand words. A lot of that is still handwritten, since I tend to use a hybrid approach between typing and writing by hand. Essentially, I’ll print out what I have so far for a draft then edit and write (by hand) around it. Collectively, I call these my editings. Although this was not my most productive week, I can still say I’ve made some decent progress. The literal character Natsume is still missing (oops). That’s because Natsume is basically a rewrite, so I moved things around a lot and accidentally cut out that character. Maybe he’ll make a cameo in day two or three. Plot-permitting, of course.

Also, I’m not satisfied with my options for a local writers circle in the area. I’ve drafted some guidelines for a speculative fiction one I’ve like to run, but I’m not sure how to get it going here. I’d prefer to go through the local library system, so I’m going to try to meet with the founder of the local mystery writers group after their next meeting just to ask how she got the group going. I technically ran one when I was at college, but we didn’t have enough members to really do much.