A few years from now, Oreste Pax, the famous inventor of augmented/virtual reality glasses used all over the world, is working on a brain-computer interface he believes will revolutionize human cognition. However, a massive computer virus attacking the Internet of Things threatens to destroy civilization first. Pax is forced into an encounter with Alethia, the brilliant leader of a mysterious society possessing technology far beyond anything he’s ever seen before. She reveals a devastating truth about humanity to Pax before forcing him to make a choice that will affect the future of the human race.
Will Pax make the right choice for the future of the human race? John Akers, the author of the technological future in ‘The Infinet’ for a few minutes to explore the devastating truth inside. John, it often feels like technology is driving our future more and more. What did you want to highlight about the combination of technology and the future in your fictional exploration of the future?
I wanted to draw attention to the fact that our evolution-based moral development is no longer keeping pace with our technological development, and the result may well be disastrous.
There always seems to be a new technological development appearing somewhere. Are you professionally or personally involved with new technology developments?
In my day job I’m what is known as a user experience designer, which basically means I design user interfaces for software and hardware products. When I read about all of the technology currently under development, things like self-driving cars, virtual and augmented reality headsets, and brain-computer interfaces, I instinctively start thinking about what the user interfaces would need to be like to enable people to successfully use them, and what the emotional experience of using them would be like. So I think my work experience helps me realistically depict what the experience of using future technology might be like.
Your work has brought realism to the future, but what did you have to learn about to make sure you didn’t break the realism you’d developed?
The importance of starting with a book outline. I don’t regret the “pantser” approach I took to writing “The Infinet,” but having gone through it I’ve seen the process would be much faster if I’d started with an outline, without any risk of forsaking creative freedom.
As a ‘panster’ what does your writing day look like?
I write from 5am-6am and during lunch everyday, and whenever else I can squeeze in at least 15 minutes. I write using Scrivener on my laptop or my iPhone. I’m flexible on everything else (location, word count, etc.).
Good work! There are many people who have trouble finding the time to write, but you’re a fantastic example of how stealing a few minutes here and there can turn into a book over time. What did you find was the greatest reward for getting your book through writing, editing and to publication?
Discovering I had the determination to stick with it, over a period of five years, until it was a story that I thought was not just good but great.
Five years is a significant period of time. What was it about the writing process that kept drawing you back again and again over these years?
I find it energizing to be engaged in a creative endeavor over which I have complete creative control. It helps counterbalance normal life, which often feels like I’m in charge of jack s$^@. :)
*Laughs* Well, if you can’t have control in your life, why not make a fictional world where you do have control. I think it’s a great idea! Is maintaining this control over your characters what you think about when you write?
I’m actually the opposite of Andy Weir, who says his stories are meant to be escapism rather than have any deeper meaning (although perhaps inadvertently The Martian did tap into themes of human intelligence, resilience, and ingenuity.) While I loved The Martian, for me as an author my stories have to intentionally connect to deeper themes I consider important. For example, with my Trivial Game series, it is to explore the “dual-use” problems created by our development ever more powerful technology. However, in future stories I’m going to try and lift a page from Mr. Weir’s playbook and include more action and really keep the plot moving. He does a great job of making books that are page-turners, and my goal will be to do that while also making sure they relay an important message.
That sounds very exciting! What story are you working on next that gives you the opportunity to keep that plot moving?
Book 2 of the Trivial Game series.
Both myself and the readers want you to keep that plot moving, so I’ll let you return to the action of the Trivial Game series, but I’d like to thank you for dropping in for a few minutes to chat about your novel and a possible future that awaits us in ‘The Infinet’.
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Excited to read the book we discussed today? Find it here on Amazon: ‘The Infinet ( ASIN: B076F5WFVL )‘.
Want to find out more about John Akers? Connect here!