Fiction Fragment Friday
I recently went through a training session for a new product in the first phase of a beta testing. That is what inspired this story. Thinking about some of the Science Fiction I have read recently I wanted to do something related to testing a new technology. I also decided I wanted to try something new and write the story in the form of an e-mail or letter. With that I bring you Beta Test. Enjoy.
Dear Beta Tester,
Welcome to the ERI beta program. The Enhanced Reality Interface is an exciting new product that will change the way humanity looks and interacts with our world. We are happy to report that our company has recently received approval for human testing, and you have been selected. You will receive a phone call in the next week to schedule the implantation procedure. This will be a minor surgery to install our patented neural interface chip. This will allow your brain to directly interact with our systems. Once online we can push the test software remotely so you will not need further procedures.
During this beta test we ask that you go about your life normally and allow the ERI to learn your routines. After the two-week calibration process, you will begin to see the interface overlay. It will give you suggestions on ways to optimize your day for increased efficiency. You can control this interface directly with your thoughts. As part of the test plan, we need to ensure that only focused thought and not random stray thoughts control the interface. Please make note of the time and nature of any unexpected interactions so we can reference the debug logs. These incidents are not necessarily reason for concern. The beta has many functions we have not enabled at this time and we will be testing them throughout this program.
The ERI will allow you to access the internet directly from your thoughts and return a variety of data instantly. You can overlay reality with a glowing path for navigation. Initially you can have step by step instructions or video available to assist with any craft or repair project. With your assistance following our prescribed testing program we will be able to update your software within six months to instead highlight items and provide direct feedback on completing these tasks.
We would like to take this time to also remind you of the nondisclosure agreement that you signed when you applied for this program. All information in this welcome letter as well as your experiences once the interface is installed are strictly confidential. Any violation of this agreement will result in immediate remote termination of the physical technology as well as legal repercussions. Your release form does cover any health risks that might develop from this process. We value your health and safety so we will take all necessary measures to ensure that you do not violate your agreement and endanger yourself.
Finally, your privacy is important to us. Any data collected as part of this beta program will be used for the sole purpose of improving and safeguarding the ERI. Personally, Identifiable Information will be scrubbed from our system after the beta period has been completed leaving only the raw data for future improvements. While we will have to include your names in study paperwork, we will not at any time release this to the public. You can take solace in the fact that you know you have made history even though no one else will ever know.
Once again thank you for your participation in this beta program. The Enhanced Reality Interface cannot become reality without your extensive testing. Please read through your provided test plans prior to your implantation appointment. There are tests that need to be completed immediately upon waking up from this procedure as well as setup tasks that could be extremely disorienting if you are not prepared.
Sincerely,
The Enhanced Reality Interface project
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