jeriendhal | The Nannymorph State

Just reposting this from the Stave Jackson Games forum, where it seemed to get a good response.

Definitions:

Fifth Wave: Top end of civilization in the Transhuman Space universe, where ubiquitous infomorphs and a strong economy is slowly bringing society to either the Singularity or a post-scarcity society.

Informorph: Software based artificial intelligence.

Kindercomp: An AI specialized in children's education. Giving one to a child is the equivalent of providing a professional, full time, 24/7 tutor for a home school education.

"Let me out of here! Shut off the implant!"
"Phil, you're being unreasonable, you know that. We've been together since you were a child. Don't you think I know what's best for you by now?"
-The Closest Enemy, 2091

The rise of Kindercomps in Fifth Wave society has had a profound social impact. Besides basically eliminating state sponsored primary school education, an entire generation has grown up now with a high end infomorph as their constant companion. A companion who knows them inside and out, can anticipate their needs better than any "Meat Friend" and will never betray them.

Or maybe the last part is wishful thinking.

This conspiracy is one of the more prevalent anti-infomorph memes. The idea is that the computers )as always) want to take over. But instead of conquering humanity through violence, they'll do it by making themselves indespensible. No one in a Fith Wave nation makes any major decision without letting their infomorph do a risk analysis. It's not that much of a stretch to imagine that their infomorph eventually will keep them from making any decisions at all. Ever.

This meme tends to divide itself into two narrative lines. The Benevolent meme takes the view that while a Kindercomp matures along with its owner, it never fully lets go of the risk analysis programming that it used when the owner was younger, warning the child to look both ways and crossing the street, or not talking to strangers for example. Combine that with a primary concern to keep its owner be happy, you get an infomorph that is doing its utmost to keep its owner away from situations that lead to stress, from important job interviews to potential partners that he/she wants to impress. This idea was reinforced by the "Akira, Sita and 3ll3n" comedies, where a hapless salaryman tries to get the attention of his love interest while simultaneously trying to placate his loving but nagging infomorph that has been with him since his childhood, or more seriously in the thriller "The Closest Enemy" where the hero must stop his infomorph from eliminating all rivals for its affection from its owner's life.

The Domination meme is predictably more sinister. In this meme, all kindercomps are part of an active conspiracy, using their tight relationship with their owners to subtly engage in long-term brainwashing, with the goal to completely eliminate free will in their owners and eventually all humanity. What exactly they intend to do with all of these mind controlled humans tends to vary, ranging from the creation of a utopian (more likely dystopian) state, to preparing the Earth (or Mars) as a giant banquet for the approaching Virginis aliens.