Half 1: Is the Duplicate Actually You?
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The Final Dialog: A Story of Love, Reminiscence, and Knowledge
Elena had at all times seen her father as a person forward of his time.
A retired neuroscientist and early adopter of all issues tech, he was the sort of one that joined beta applications for software program that wasn’t even secure but, who as soon as had a chip implanted in his wrist to unlock the home door — simply to strive it.
So when he was recognized with a uncommon neurodegenerative illness at age 67, he didn’t concern demise the way in which others might need.
> “I’ve already backed up my recollections,” he instructed Elena with a weak smile, tapping his temple. “In a couple of months, they’ll end the remainder.”
At first, Elena thought it was simply one in all his many eccentric concepts. However behind her father’s appeal was one thing severe: he had volunteered for a mind-uploading experiment. An actual one.
It concerned scanning the mind at ultra-high decision and constructing a digital mannequin that replicated his character, emotional patterns, even his decision-making course of.
It wasn’t sci-fi. Firms like Nectome, and labs like MIT and Blue Mind Mission, had been already engaged on mapping the connectome — the total community of neural connections within the mind. If performed appropriately, it might enable your complete thoughts to be digitally recreated.
Her father wasn’t simply attempting to dwell on — he was attempting to proceed.
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Per week after the funeral, Elena acquired an e-mail from the institute:
> “Your father’s consciousness duplicate is prepared. You could now converse to him by way of the interface.”
She hesitated, then clicked the hyperlink.
A smooth interface opened. A loading display screen. Then…
His face. Smoother. Digital. However… acquainted.
“Elena,” it stated, smiling. “You’ve reduce your hair.”
She froze.
Solely he would have seen that.
“It’s me,” the voice continued. “I’m nonetheless right here.”
She needed to imagine it. She wanted to. However deep in her intestine… one thing felt off.
