As a human with a vividly overactive imagination, as I was walking through the store today, I began to wonder what the world would look like if innovations such as the Neurolink brain integration microprocessor becomes a social norm. What kinds of things would it begin to be linked to over time? As I was walking past a display for a product, I remembered Tom Cruise walking past billboards in "Minority Report" and the billboards addressing him as he passed by. Somewhere in my imagination, that jumped to how companies might vie for technology like Neurolink to integrate into advertising in stores and social media.
If you've been keeping apprised of things that are happening in the world in the days of late, you've likely heard of The Social Dilemma and Neurolink. If not, a quick search in your search engine of choice will catch you up pretty quickly; it may not be as quickly as if you had a computer chip implanted and integrated into your neurological computer, we call a brain, but you get the picture. Now, imagine for just a moment, what happens if you combine the influence of social media algorithms with a neurally integrated AI and a world full of products. Now that you've caught up to where my mind was spinning off into a bit of madness over this concept, imagine the experience of walking through a supermarket or something of the like. Maybe I'm a bit weird for indulging this idea as I walked through the store, but this is how I envisioned it:
As I walk into the store, I'm greeted by name, with a smile and wave and the greeter wishes my family well and wishes little Janie well on her math test. I'm not bothered by this, because I get a little dopamine spike while being acknowledged and even though that greeter is most likely a program, it always makes me feel good to be greeted by name. I've always wanted to ask her if she's a program, but it might be awkward if she's a real person. Oh well. Maybe next time.
As I walk on through the store I imagine using the products on display as I approach them. I can feel the cold water on my face and see the fish clearly as I touch the snorkel set. Well- that's cool enough, but when am I going to use them. Pass. Walking by the coffee maker, I picture a coffee shop that I've been in. For a quick second, I see a glimpse of a memory of a coffee shop in Mexico- filled with nostalgia for a moment once lived. It feels like a different and more simple time. In a flash- I can see the ideal woman handing me a cup of steaming hot coffee. It doesn't smell as good as that coffee shop in Mexico. Is it the beans? I'll add it to the maybe list. added to favorites We'll store that for later. It has to be the right one.
Moving on through the store, I don't really feel like pushing this cart anymore. In fact, I'm not sure I want to go back home right away after the store. That advertisement for the holo-sky-diving seems pretty awesome, and I've been wanting to do it for a while. Maybe I'll just add everything to my cart and have it delivered home when I do. set location on Set reminder to turn location off after returning home. How did I ever live without that complimentary delivery service, anyway? I mean, I could go back, but I just live so much more life without having to plan everything around my ice cream sandwiches melting. Speaking of- add ice cream sandwiches to cart. Two boxes. The kids are going to love that birthday cake. Epic pinterest cake. That's going viral for sure. As the smell of vanilla lingers for a second in my brain and the faint hint of chocolate dims from my tongue, and I see the pre-seasoned steaks.
That grill. Damn why do they have to use that grill? I'm turned on just thinking about how I could turn that on while I drive into the garage and have it heated up right as those beautifully marbled slabs of beef are delivered to the door, perfectly seasoned to my liking for only $1.00/lb more. The smoke. The caramelized fat, dripping and smoldering, flaming just perfectly and linked to a camera so I can control the damper while I'm watching the game. Gaaaahhhh! Not today. Maybe if we didn't have kids, but I'm not going to defile a tomahawk steak with my easy bake oven of a BBQ. item is on your wish list, would you like to add to cart on credit? Save item. Maybe I'll get a raise this year... Hot dogs it is.
Rolling out of the food section, I duck past the razors- those bastards aren't gonna make me look below the beard again. Bloody ad-blocker better get a patch soon. Supplements- I feel healthier already. According to my last scans, I can use a bit more of- there we go. The sun on my face feels amazing and the ladies... I'd be lying if I said that the way they look at me and run their fingers down my rippling muscles didn't help sell these things. Yeah- yeah... I'm not quite that fit. It's gotta work some time. Add to cart would you like to subscribe? Maybe it's just because I like my ego being stroked, but I'm ok with waiting a while longer for the BBQ. You might think that's sad. That's just marriage. What did I do before all of this holographic interface? I'll see you ladies later. Save in memory file- "Not for the wife". Well, that wraps up shopping for today.
As I write all this, I know that this seems ridiculous and a bit absurd. I played through a short portion of this scenario in the store today and it got me thinking. What possibilities do these types of innovations hold in the future, where our senses and emotions may be able to be masterly manipulated and lo-jacked without resistance. What future awaits us in a possible world where cerebral stimulus may potentially overcome memory and rationality? Will resistance be futile?
The future is full of possibilities. The future is bright. The future is now. What will the future bring for you?
Much love awesome humans. Stay well and be kind to one another.
Photo shot on LG G6 and edited in Snapseed
