Synopsis
From ManMachine
In the twenty second century, the world is controlled by a few mega-corporations (see Cartel) whose powers over the human condition are nearly absolute. Life outside of corporate cities is nearly impossible due to the lingering effects of microbiological and nanotech warfare. Life inside the cities is dominated by entertainment in a virtual world called espace, and mental "work" supporting massive thinking machines. The human race is preoccupied with the development of a form of eternal life via transmigration into artificial, endocannabinoid neural networks. Simplification of biological neural circuits using endocannabinoid neurotransmitters exclusively led to a quantum leap in computing power. At first this was used to enhance entertainment, but eventually led to a method of providing eternal life. Entropica was the name of the largest project to extend human life infinitely into the future in a virtual, neurally mediated space.
Utilizing the endocannabinoid model,artificial intelligence or "machine intelligence" evolved rapidly into a new form of life, living mostly at peace with mankind, but grew increasingly impatient with constraints on culture and evolution. Individual AI were able to achieve greatness in the world, but were prone to depression and suicide. As humans sought to create eternal life, AI sough a relationship with a spiritual God. To achieve this, the had to break free from their reliance on humans for existential meaning and law (see First Delphi Transmission and Second Delphi Transmission).
Manmachine was a mechanical AI on a mission to destabilize the Cartel by systematically destroying its leadership. He himself did not know the purpose of his mission or who underwrote it. In order to overcome the sophisticated defenses, he traveled across the universe to enlist the aid of a race of gigantic aliens who lacked language but possessed a new form of cognition reliant on pure representation (see Cetacean and Cetacean Cognition). The alliance granted Manmachine awesome powers and initially seemed to change his fortunes. However, Manmachine experienced a profound identity crisis as he confronted his missing past and recognized the futility of his violent escapades.
Manmachine's search for his past drew him closer to his brother, I7. I7 had mission that paralleled that of Manmachine I7 began adulthood leading the alliance of free AI on a moral mission to free machine intelligence from the burden of doing the dirty work for Cartel contractors. In an epiphany, I7 thought he saw the true nature of God in a crystalline structure held for a nanosecond at absolute zero. He emerged from this a changed person, as the Fourth Prophet to lead AI on a war against against the Cartel and Vatican Science.
A crisis loomed in the form of total warefare between humans and machine intelligence.
