Neuronet Questions - Let me know if you find any problems with this progression.

1) What provisions were put into place to keep Pentra (creator of neuronet) from gaining power?

Pentra had investors from a Japan like country with high technology, advanced gaming industry, and a long harbored grudge against one of the main powers on their southern border. He teamed up with top video and communication designers to launch his revolutionary VR. It was first used by the military for training, and then spread to commercial companies and the medical innovation. At first the program hit only top levels of government and the wealthy. In this Pentra built his influence, creating exclusive access to areas companies and gov’ts could pay extra for. (see question 5)

2) How did Pentra overcome them?

By creating a business model that companies and gov’ts depended on, and by stealing vital info on their companies and secrets, Pentra catapulted to become the most influential person in the world. Governments created a council to try and stop this, but Pentra outsmarted them. By the time they realized the power he wielded, they were trapped. To abandon the new economic platform would be suicide. No one wants to be the one to sacrifice it all just to start the tide of companies abandoning the neuronet, especially with how easy it makes everything.
To make sure that people don’t revolt or let his takeover have bad press, Pentra set up superficial levels of privacy for all users so that they could feel in control when really he has universal access to information stored on the neuronet. He did however, reduce crime and forced aid to underdeveloped countries, so he’s esteemed as the greatest man of the century.

3) Where is the extra income coming from that would enable global aid to eliminate underdeveloped nations?

Exclusive rights paid by the upper class will go into building networks in underdeveloped countries. This will create jobs and support city development around these hubs. Training will come from donated implants.

4) What is Pentra’s motive for developing and spending money in poor nations?

He wants to cover the globe with neuronet towers for smoother service and more coverage. He will become supported by the masses for helping them get out from under the heal of the few super powers. The sooner people stop thinking about the neuronet as a luxury and more as a part of life, the sooner he can implement his vision for humanity. (see question 6)

5) What are the exclusive areas and what is the cost?

Exclusive areas
– First access to developing new technologies. Pentra can have his people think of ideas then pitch those to bidders willing to invest and own copyright. The winning bid has to transform the idea into a “product” within 6 months or they lose rights and it is offered back up to bidders. This group of bidders pays for the right to bid via annual membership.
- Territory
- Ability to sell goods and services

Cost – Anyone wanting exclusive rights must also supply volunteers to train lower class to use the program. Stocks are bought by being first to use exclusive rights, with a percentage of profit going into their pockets.

6) What is his vision?

Pentra’s vision is to see humanity expand and advance. His passion is exploration of technology and human potential. He loves sticking it to the countries and powers that built off the backs of the lower class.
His vision changes once he has Cien executed. He becomes haunted by panthers, both in VR and in real life. He’s not the only one that sees them, but no one ever sees the ones he sees. This is part of God’s punishment for killing His Son. Pentra becomes paranoid and reclusive. He spends the rest of his life searching for and killing the Rucien.

A side note on the Rucien: some stay to be witnesses on Therus, while others follow the prophet Araku on a spaceship flying towards a planet God showed him would become a safe haven until the next war. This planet, Vaykai, will become humanity’s home without the neuronet.

Pentra dies without having named a successor or training one to step into his place due to his paranoia. As a result:
• Gov’ts and companies saw his decline and had already bribed his underlings to maintain their social status within the neuronet.
• Many took advantage of the chaos that followed Pentra’s death through stealing and takeovers.
• Some even left the planet because of the war that spread into real life as hubs and neuronet towers were attacked across the globe. Some of these programmers familiar with the neuronet’s foundation were paid handsomely to leave and set up neuronet clones on separate planets. Eventually, humanity spread past their own galaxy, though without light speed, so they used sleeper tanks and it took hundreds of years.

Archived.