Perpetuonics by North Carolina writer Jeffrey Melvin Hutchins
In the very near future, young tech entrepreneur Declan Marchand invents Perpetuonics, a method of digitizing a living person’s character, knowledge, emotions, and memories — and then bringing that person back into existence after death. These”Digital beINGS”— Dings in shorthand — can theoretically “live” forever. They reside in massive servers, where they communicate with living people with the help of a living Compadore. They are also, of course, subject to rules and restrictions . . . until they begin to discover their own power.
From the evolution of the concept into reality to the devolution and, ultimately, revolution, Perpetuonics presents an intriguing, disturbing possibility for the future of life on earth.
Jeff is the author of the acclaimed Denton the Dragon musical play and story. He lives in Black Mountain, NC.