Menta-Life was born in the year 2072. A corporation that lets citizens live lives through a mass server as a means to rebuild what the human race destroyed. Mentally extending the human lifespan. In order for the server to work, placement of a “microdot” onto the brain’s analytical portion is required; a device about the size of a single hair follicle. An intricate piece of art. From the start, surgical placement costs five thousand aers, and serves as a connection to the intranet which then synchronizes directly to the brain stem. After operation, the microdot is slowly reeled inward by each thumping pulse. Taking two days to reach the analytic center.
With placement, and a link to the simulated outside world, the brain decelerates into thinking, but not believing, it’s living regularly during Life; this allows slumbering users control over themselves while others around them live as normal beings. Upon returning, staff settle the client into a secure location—a necessary, comfortable, peaceful environment to initiate a medically induced coma. This assures an uninterrupted sleep for three days; the amount of real time taken to live a ninety-year Life, from admittance to passing. Shorter stays are possible, depending on age and transpiring events. Keeping a client under and providing nutrients while comatose costs fifteen thousand aers per visit.
Dreaming begins; Life begins. The mental world is based around shared data. Clients have complete access to everything offered, regardless of choice to access it. If a real-world traffic accident occurs near a dreaming client’s location, they will experience horrible traffic conditions once information is uploaded to the internet. If close enough, they will witness the accident as described. The occurrence and all surrounding data are implemented as a Rapid Major Event. Past sub-events are also in place to keep the mind flowing with old and new information, spreading over duration.
If a citizen chooses to make their online social media profile publicly available, a client can unintentionally access it; possibly meet the digital citizen, getting to know the stranger as rivals or becoming the best of friends. Shared online courses are made available, transforming Life into a handy tool for those openly seeking knowledge. Clients can achieve astronomical certification in one day of real time, dedicating an adequate number of years to the demanding effort required for that position. In turn, a criminal can work up to the status of crime lord.
No being in Life is real, yet information and reactions are as real as can be. If the client pushes someone, that someone could push back based on their online persona. Be it with force or informing officers. On that note, ignorance to law does not excuse a client from consequence and repercussion. If someone commits a crime, law enforcement responses are arranged by distance and calculated pursuit time, followed by culprit apprehension to the best of their ability. Those with fetishes, like sadists, love the Life server. They go through their mental Life, harming as many citizens as possible, before getting cornered and going down with a fight. Once the client is deceased, they awaken, and their server time is concluded. The connection must stay linked for three consecutive days, unless the client passes on during their Life. Unknown side effects may occur if woken otherwise. Predictions are similar to waking a sleepwalker, but more mentally violent.
A brain can only withstand the server for a full seventy-two hours. Not a minute longer. If multiple visits are made before a two-day rest period, the body will gradually shut down sense perception. The first stage being the ability to walk and basic motor skills. Of course, relearning was not an impossibility. Experimentation on additional stages was never trialed due to safety concerns for test subjects in an already scarce humanity. There are two additional safety protocols with the Life server: no one can regress younger than their current age, and it’s impossible to access a Life within a Life.
The corporation is sworn, by written statement, to privacy. All details are stated on the contract and signed at the initial screening visit. Renown made Menta-Life the leading corporation, not just in its field of neuroscience and psychology but as a symbol of growth in all things. Going public with a free Life trial to each new client iced the cake. The media, which was basically reestablished by their indirect hand, along with most of the New World itself, solidified Menta-Life’s renown.
Growing populations crowned their inexperienced rulers with one branch existing in each of the five city’s hearts. Since citizens could do as they please in their mental Life, crime rates declined drastically; reforming old inhabitants with clean histories. The corporation can claim responsibility for single-handedly aiding all technological advancements by providing the digitally manufactured safe space, allowing anyone to educate themselves and invent within. External expansion thrived under their belt. The elderly have shared knowledge of the past; researchers share knowledge of the active present; prodigies theorize potential futures. Menta-Life has changed the world for everyone…
Avery Nunez 