Major Technology: Neural Meshes

Neural meshes allow their wearers to read and modify their own minds, including emotions, thoughts, senses, and beliefs.

A set of thousands of coaxial nanowires penetrate the brain. These wires connect to a computer, typically housed within the body, and typically connected wirelessly to information sources. Through the mesh, the computer can read patterns within the brain, and can also electronically apply new patterns. Using a mesh is known as “wearing” it, though it is actually implanted and not merely placed on the head.

Implications

Meshes are among the most powerful and wide- reaching technologies, with literally thousands of applications. The field of cognitechnology would scarcely exist without the mesh.

Computer programs that use meshes to interface with the brain are known as lenses, as in, “seeing the world through a different lens.” Lenses are used to alter the wearer’s personality or behavior, “download” skills from the infosphere (see below), attain a certain mindset (such as wakefulness, self-awareness, or calm), simulate the effects of drugs, apply ethical guidelines, and more.

Most Meshes also interface with the infosphere, a planet-spanning network of information relayed by nearly every satellite, building, vehicle, and individual. Essentially any factual information that is not intentionally hidden is available within milliseconds at no cost. Many computing and data-analysis services are also available at varying degrees of expense. It is possible to disrupt the infosphere locally and temporarily with broad- spectrum static.

Limitations

Modifying long-term mental structures (memories, values, personality traits) is possible, but takes a long time, as these structures are encoded in the brain itself. Masking these structures by temporarily suppressing memories or overwriting behavior is much easier.

Some Meshes are intentionally built to be more limited – they can run “apps” that interface with the sensory cortex, but not change thoughts or emotions directly in the manner of a sophisticated lens. Some civilizations prefer these “partial” meshes, but they are unarguably less powerful and flexible than a full mesh.

Game Terms

Characters with full meshes have the Dynamic neuroform and should also have Cognitech 3+. Downloadable skill lenses provide a Profession at 2 for the purpose of most actions, but 1 for conflict since most skill Lenses are fairly predictable. Characters with partial meshes are not necessarily Dynamic.

Core Tech: Cognitech

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