What would it be like to capture people's memories and thoughts on a computer?  What could the far reaching implications be?  I've recently read somewhere that this type of machine may be a present possibility. Gerald Weinberg's new book, The Aremac Project, is a "fiction" thriller which cleverly presents such a possibility.

 

Roger and Tess, the main characters of the story, are graduate students trying to invent a computer which can read the mind and also be controlled by the mind. This machine was named the Aremac (camera spelled backwards). While progress was being made in the development of this device, it still needed to be tested on humans in order to evaluate it's effectiveness.  One day, when alone, Tess decided to hook herself up to the machine.  The next thing she knew she was in the hospital, aware of what was going on around her but totally unable to communicate.  Many people found in this condition are considered to be in a coma and are thought to be unaware.

 

Eventually it was decided to hook Tess up to the Aremac, which through trial and error, allowed her to communicate with those around her. At the same time the machine is being developed, terrorist bombings are taking place in Chicago, in an effort to extort money from the city. The FBI hears of the Aremac and hires Tess and Roger to discover the identity of the terrorists. Roger and Tess, who is now able to communicate through the Aremac, begin to interrogate a suspect.  They were beginning to make progress when the suspect is murdered. Addie, a relative of Roger's, was arrested for committing this murder.  Roger knew in his heart that Addie was not guilty, which pushed Roger and Tess to refine the Aremac to prove that Addie was innocent.  The terrorists, being worried that the Aremac would solve the mystery of who killed the suspect, decided that Roger and Tess were too dangerous to keep around.

 

The story gains momentum near the end where the danger and intrigue become intense. Will they identify the terrorists in time to save the city?

 

The author, Gerald Weinberg has written over 40 books, many of which are connected to the computer industry.  He is included in the Computer Hall of Fame, along with Bill Gates.  He is a consultant to corporations and government agencies.  Because of Gerald's extensive knowledge concerning computer programming, I am inclined to ask myself whether mind reading machines are already in use. Is the technology presented in this book really fiction...or could it be established fact?  An invention such as this could change the world, for better or for worse. I suggest reading the Aremac Project to decide for yourselves.

 

The above review was contributed by: Marjorie Tietjen. Marjorie is a freelance journalist with a B.S. in nutrition. She writes on various topics but has a special interest in public health, education and awareness. Her writings can be found online and in several print publications.