Ship's Holog: June 2078, fragment #5

Thanks to enormous advances in very-low-power (femto--watt) computing and holographic communications technologies, people are now able to interact easily with one another throughout the globe, using infinitely rechargeable MPV cells, satellite transmission, and tiny inexpensive supercomputing holopods that project life-sized three-dimensional virtual video images anywhere you are, like those you may now be viewing. Thus, by 2030 Planet Earth had entered the Virtual Age, one in which we could interact comfortably with others in their homes and workplaces without actually being there.

But, therein, lies the rub. Just as we can see into the homes and workplaces of those with whom we are interacting, the Authorities and designated state-owned or regulated businesses can look into our homes and small businesses anytime they wish without our even being aware of their “presence.” While this official snooping has had the positive effect of greatly reducing family violence, white-collar crime, pilfering, and illegal drug use, it also greatly inhibits dissent or even questioning of Authority. Simply put, people now feel that they can’t speak freely within range of a holopod, which, of course, means just about anywhere in one’s home, place of work, even out in public places where surve-cams record just about every movement and conversation in stores and out on the streets.