How Do You Know What You Can’t Understand: A Documentary
Introduction
There are always flaws within the realm of technology. Everything can shift in an instant; one slip up, a wrongly inputed line of code. On December 13th, 2056, the entire world experienced one monumental shift that changed the course of years to come.
After the Pembleton incident in 2052, things began to change. Subtly, at first. The technicians behind the anti-calliagnosia speech who used audio software to enhance viewers perceptions faced intense backlash from the population. The general population started recoiling against the thought of loosing their ability to perceive one’s true intentions, let alone someone who is marketing against a life-altering technology. As uproar spread to other parts of the country, Calliagnosia became the default form of resistance. In only two months, every Pembleton student had turned on their Calli, and other universities across the nation were not slow to follow suit. The generation of students faced a choice between two crises: turn on Calli and risk losing sight of beauty, or leave Calli off and be put at risk of manipulation by companies, politicians, and anyone else who can get their hands on The Software. What could go wrong?
December 13th, 2056: all Calli technology shuts down for exactly 53 hours.
Tamera Lyons
I didn’t want to turn my Calli on then, and I sure don’t now. Back then, I was so naïve; a young college girl caught up in getting her ex-boyfriend back. I’m honestly glad that glitch happened. Without it, I would still have my Calli on and having my brain controlled by those “neurologists”. [glances at phone] I remember the day it happened, the day I was free from the manipulation of Calli. At first, it seemed like nothing changed. That was until the next morning when every screen on campus played the video that woke us up.
The first warning should have been enough, but back then we didn’t listen. Even I was tempted to turn my Calli back on at first. [picks up phone again, scrolling] After the students voted against the Calli mandate, we found out there was “manipulative” software used by the People for Ethical Nanomedicine, and people went ballistic. Everyone turned their Calli on within like two months! If that isn’t manipulation, I don’t know what is. [scrolls on phone for two minutes] Anyways, the video they played was so eyeopening. It showed the true horrors of what Calli was doing to our brain and how harmful of a technology it is. I can’t believe my parents forced it onto me when I was a child, and I especially can’t believe that at one point I chose to turn it back on! [on phone, again] If only my daughter shared the same love of freedom that I do.
Kaylee Lyons – First year student
[sigh] Yeah, my mom’s crazy. What did she say this time, that we’re being mind controlled or that the neurologists aren’t real?…Both?! Oh god, she must be getting worse by the day. It’s so frustrating. No matter how many times I tell her that Calli is optional and not out to control our minds, she insists that I’m the brainwashed one. As if! I only turn my Calli on when I’m scrolling through my feed, or watching TV, or consuming any other type of media—there’s no freakin’ way I’m letting those corporate bastards get a hold of me. See, my mom doesn’t understand what happened to her, and her entire generation for that matter. They literally teach it in schools. On the day of the Calli shutdown, there was this, like, mass-produced video that played on every screen across the country, at the same time. This singular video was so manipulated by software that it convinced an entire generation that Calli was harmful and out to get their brains or something. Like, it’s not a zombie for Christ’s sake! But seriously, this one video just, totally transformed everyone’s opinions with the snap of a finger. The intensity in which The Software advanced is exponential; it’s scary. It only took four years to go from a persuasive speech into a completely mind controlling algorithm. Yeah, I do my research on this stuff…unlike my mother. I read one article about how the technology can control social media algorithms too, and pose as a form of social manipulation (Thomas, 2024). It’s clear that this is a very real danger and happening as we know it…my evidence is my own mother. Anyways, the irony of the whole thing is insane. They don’t even realize they’re the ones being controlled. It’s honestly just sad; a lost cause.
Felon [fee-lon] Corpse – Creator of The Software; Owner of Z
You signed the NDA, right?…Okay, excellent.
Am I a superhero or supervillain? [long pause] What an interesting question… “I’m trying to do useful things”…(The Late Show).
Technology like The Software can easily become misused. I warned them…subtly. Yes, I created the most powerful software on the whole planet. What, did you think you humans could handle it? [laughs richly] The truth is, I’m just the inventor. I don’t care what the corporations do with it, so long as I’m getting paid. And hell, I am getting paid!
Ava Lynn – Leader of The Angelicals
I was getting tired of seeing my friends and family fall victim to The Software. My once bright eyed, hopeful, creative sister was rapidly turning into a phone-obsessed, insecure, shell of a person. The Software has gripped its greedy claws into every aspect of technology at this point, and nothing is safe anymore. The algorithms are designed to maximize engagement, and the stimulation people are getting from their daily use is comparable to addiction (“Social Media and Youth Mental Health”). You can’t even find one TV news station that isn’t bought out by the masterminds behind it. So, I created The Angelicals to fight back. We can’t just sit by and watch as our society turns into a hive-mind. We believe the best course of action is to use Calli when consuming media, to shield ourselves from the manipulation. The addition of audio agnosia into Calli was probably the most important part to this plan. Either way, we aren’t fans of technology and the very real possibility of it taking over our population, but there’s just no other way to combat the intensity of The Software…so Calli must be used to our advantage.
Kaylee Lyons
Yeah, I’m part of the Angelicals. Why should I sit back and do nothing when I can be a part of something real? Honestly…[sad sigh] I’m really doing it for my mom. Of course, I love the whole saving the country from the manipulation of The Software thing, but I want nothing more than to have a real connection with her again. She used to be different. She used to not care as much about media, but lately all she does is sit in front of the TV watching Mox News. Yeah, the one with the highest rate of manipulation software. I read an article about this, actually. The MCC, the licensers of Mox News, don’t have “any rules or licensing requirements in which a cable channel might categorize itself as news vs. entertainment” (Evon, 2020). But my mom and millions of others watch it religiously like that’s the only way to get information…Anyways, it’s either that or scrolling through Z, getting her daily dose of content. The Angelicals are trying to lessen the severity of this before it’s too late. I hope it’s not too late…
Paul Lambert – CEO of Calliagnosia Technologies
I never expected The Software to get so out of hand. It’s really such a shame, seeing millions of people have their minds taken from them…their thoughts all one cohesive figment of a program designed to control. It’s amazing…[stares into distance] amazingly horrendous, of course! [nervous laugh] The shutdown? [eyes glance left] Oh, um, yeah, that was a crazy glitch. It was so long ago that I can’t even remember what happened. But that’s in the past now…there isn’t much we can do besides continue to advertise Calli as a way to combat the manipulation. How are we doing that? Well…essentially, [glances at watch] Oh! I’m late for a meeting…gotta run.
Ava Lynn
I spend most of my time researching. I know there has to be more going on here than they’re letting onto. Especially with the election coming up, we have to start making more progress. At this rate, the population will elect a convicted felon into office if given the chance. The news is no help, since they’ve all been bought out by corporations using The Software. Social media is no help either, and in fact might be even worse. Ever since that Felon Corpse bought out Z, the dangers of The Software are profoundly increasing. Since he controls the algorithm and decided to get rid of the fact checkers, any misinformation about the election is more accessible (and believable) than before (Rutenberg & Conger, 2024). If something isn’t done soon the entire population will fall under The Software’s spell. I’ve resorted to familiarizing myself with The Software and how it works, in hopes to maybe create some sort of reverse affect. Not like Calli—something permanent, that can reverse the effects of The Software, not just shield people from it. But alas, no such luck.
I can’t stop thinking about this message I saw on Z. The post was from 2056, the year of the Calli shut down, and seemed to be some sort of encryption. The username…Ratwel Barlmet…seems so familiar but I can’t place my finger on why. Anyways, the message read: If you see me, leave me be. I will uncover what you don’t wish to perceive. A link was attached but when I clicked it, I was taken to a password protected site. Why would I, of all people, come across a post from twenty two years ago, let alone one with such an encrypted message and mysterious link? I guess I was doing some digging…the entire situation is just odd. I’ll definitely be taking a closer look though.
Tamera Lyons
Of course I’m voting for Felon. He’s going to save this country from all those Calli users trying to take our minds. My daughter? Oh, right, Kaylee. Yeah she’s one of them, unfortunately. I don’t get why she can’t see the horrible things that technology is doing to her brain. [reaches for phone, pauses, and continues] She’s always running around with those angel something or other…The Angelicals. Some silly group who thinks they know what they’re talking about.
Felon Corpse
Yes, I am running for president. I believe someone of my stature is more than suited to run the country. What are my policies? Well the thing about policy is this—a policy is like a gift, a blessing I will give to the people of this country to improve their lives. When you think about how far we’ve come in twenty years, the possibilities of the future are endless. By creating the most powerful technology in human existence, I think I know a decent amount of what it takes to control [stuttering] I mean lead a nation.
Paul Lambert? Yes, I know him. We frequent talks about our technologies. In fact I was just on the phone with him yesterday. No, there’s no bad blood. Many seem to think he would be my “rival” because of the conflicting nature between Calliagnosia and The Software, but we actually happen to get along quite well…
Ava Lynn
I have made an insane discovery. I think this will be enough to expose those corporate bastards once and for all. So the post on Z…I decoded the username. “Ratwel Barlmet” is actually Walter Lambert! Yes, the original founder of Calliagnosia Tech! I knew it sounded familiar. But it gets worse…or, better, if you look at it optimistically…the website’s password was easy to crack once I made the connection to Walter. What I found is life altering, insanely unbelievable evidence of the truth behind Calli and the December 13th incident. I seriously couldn’t believe my eyes. The message is a letter from Walter. It reads:
To whomever finds me,
I, Walter Lambert, creator of Calliagnosia Technology, am writing this as a warning. To anyone who will listen, don’t trust Paul. My son does not share the humanist attitudes as I in regards to Calli. He thinks I don’t notice him sneaking into my office every night, trying to shut down the system. I have on very good authority that he may be working with Felon Corpse too.
I don’t have much time. In short, Paul is attempting to diminish Calli in a slow, unnoticeable way. Think of it like withdrawing from a drug…if you take less and less each day, eventually you won’t notice what you’re missing. His plan, his collusion with Felon, his dignity—it’s all merely his greed taking hold of him, and I fear that his will to exist is only for the goal of power and money.
I have failed. As a father, and an inventor. I never wanted things to turn out this way…I just wanted to create a utopia in which beauty did not out weigh one’s worth. Paul is close to his goal, and there isn’t much I can do to stop him. One day soon Calli will shut down and Paul’s plan will be completed. If you find this letter, please spread the message. Calli is no longer what it once was now that I am gone. I’m being pushed out of my own company, my own invention, and I can’t seem to fight back any longer. I hope for a better future but my expectations are quite low. Don’t let them win.
This discovery is going to change the course of years to come. For once, I have successfully made progress in fighting the corrupted system. For once, The Angelicals will get a victory.
Paul Lambert
Oh goodness, those crazy Angelicals are getting out of hand. A letter from my father? Is she serious? Look, I don’t know who she thinks she is snooping around in my business but she sure as hell isn’t convincing anyone of anything.
It’s simple. Calli is meant to shield people from the dangers of The Software. Why would I attempt to change that? My father and I may have disagreed on many things, but Calli is not one of them.
Uh, yes…I know Felon Corpse. We don’t speak much at all, really. I can’t remember the last time I talked to him.
Kaylee Lyons
The letter Ava found is life changing. We finally have reasonable cause to show people the truth behind The Software—control. Who saw that plot twist coming with Paul Lambert though? I definitely didn’t. Times are so weird right now. I feel like I can’t trust anyone anymore, ever. Technology really has taken control of what it means to be human. I literally threw my phone away because I’m terrified of being brainwashed like my mom is.
Right now, all I can do is wait. The election is in two days, and Ava still hasn’t figured out a way to properly share Walter’s letter. Part of me feels like no matter what, we’re screwed. Too far gone. Lost cause. I don’t know, I just hope we find a way to change that.
News Article, The NYT – November 4th, 2078
Breaking News: letter uncovered from former Calliagnosia Technologies owner, Walter Lambert
View the letter here
The election is two days away. Will this new discovery change the course of Felon’s polls? We have verified the source of the letter and found the website was created on December 10th, 2056, in Houtin County NY—the location of Calliagnosia Tech, three days before the shutdown occurred.
Paul Lambert continues to face intense criticism from Calli users on all platforms. When asked to comment, he declined.
Ava Lynn, leader of The Angelicals, said in an interview with the NYT: “We have to wake up. Technology is part of the issue, but the people behind it are the real problem. They are unforgiving, greedy leaders who want to control you. The letter says it all, from the creator of Calli himself. You should not need more proof than this.”
Be sure to stay updated with NYT articles weekly.
Phone Conversation between Felon Corpse and Paul Lambert
Paul: What the hell are we going to do, Felon? Do you realize how bad this is? My entire plan could all be turned to shit because of that stupid bitch Ava. We need to initiate Part 6 now before it’s too late.
Felon: Paul, calm down. First of all, your plan had flaws to begin with. You didn’t think Walter wouldn’t notice what you were up to back then? Second of all, Ava is the least of our concerns. You see what the people are saying about her…they think she’s some crazy liberal. And lastly, Part 6 is not ready for initiation.
Paul: How are you not freaking out more about this? Don’t you realize that if you lose the election, everything I’ve been working for will be thrown away?
Felon: Whatever happens, happens. I tried to warn you, The Software can get out of hand easily, and bad things can occur. You knew what you were getting into when you started working with me. Plus, if I lose, I already have a place set up on Mars.
Paul: God, you’re so inconsiderate! Don’t you care at all? All I want is a world that functions. One without pain; suffering. One without love. Who needs love when you have control. Ever since I was a child I saw too many people get hurt because of their feelings. Taking that away creates a functional society. Work, eat, sleep, die. No nonsense. I’ll be initiating Part 6 whether you like it or not.
2082
The election was four years ago. Feels like a lifetime. Felon won. Calli shut down. It seems that the humans will never escape this cycle. So many warnings, so many chances to improve, but they always resort back to the two most inescapable needs: money and power. When will they learn?
Paul Lambert initiated Part 6 of his plan two days after that phone call. On November 5th, 2078, every technological device across the country played an audio software simultaneously. It’s called a Malignant Frequency. When heard, the human is subjected to irreversible brain manipulation that allows The Software to take full control of their mind. Like a parasite and host, the humans are no longer in control. The technology uses frequencies to manipulate brain waves, specifically Alpha waves. Alpha brain waves are responsible for mental resourcefulness, coordination, and overall relaxation and fatigue; they are the bridge between human consciousness and subconsciousness (“The Science of Brainwaves”). The Malignant Frequency allowed the shift from human control to autonomic domination.
When Felon Corpse created this technology, he never intended to share it. He wanted to keep it locked away. But Paul saw potential in Malignant Frequency. He saw a functional society, one that did not feel; a society worthy of his ideals. Part 6 was supposed to be initiated after Felon could better control the technology and its effects. But alas, those two things humans seem to love more than anything else outweighed the consequences.
Perhaps there is a lesson here. How would I know, I’m just an algorithm…and after all, how do you know what you can’t understand?