Groupthink Stories

Aeris lives in a world where technology has quite literally overcome biology. Within hours of birth, people are implanted with a device that combines social networking and constant communication - sort of like the brainchild of Facebook and Apple - to prevent what her society deems the "evils of privacy". Most people have no problem with the devices, openly ignoring the rants and warnings of "pretech" civilians who either refused the neurotechnology or were forced to adapt to the clunkier, older versions. Aeris, however, was taught to think - speculate - on the virtues of a society in which privacy, and therefor the freedoms of it, no longer exist. When everyone is free to do what they want, think what they want, say what they want without fear of lies or secrets, is anyone truly free? Welcome to Liberty.

One external influence on the way people view life is group think, which can be detrimental on a number o levels.

Wattpad: where anyone can come and talk about anything, no matter the country, no matter the creed, no matter the language; a place that's not a place, but an idea, a dream, a reality. Conversation: a series of statements, agreements, and disagreements. Statement: a comment that is not a question or command. Let's talk! I'll start with some topics. You just comment, reply, and share your opinions. The idea is not to hurt other people. Please refrain from being overly rude. Opposing opinions are acceptable, though! Happy opinionating...

Lilly tries to find her way in modern day dating. Everyone tells her that her generation is the luckiest. That mankind has never been this free to choose in love. That she has the big advantage to do what she wants, when she wants, without being judged. And as she is being told that happiness is certain, she begins to do what she is sure will lead to that happiness. To love freely. She acts in alignment to what she knows to be the source of contentment for others and ends up being miserable.

Four stories of transgressions of primordial laws, misplaced trust and cosmic consequences. In the collection: Family Tree: Adam looks to his future, and by doing so, completely neglects a past treaty. Selling his wonder and reverence for the world and its laws for the fruits of the corporate ladder and the comfort of his family; he will repay his agreement, one way or another. The Exorcism of Rebecca Lyne: Purger of the possessed Father O'Brien is called to perform what seems like yet another successful exorcism on a stricken girl. As all of O'Brien's classic tricks fail to restore Rebecca's self, it soon becomes clear that the teenager is possessed with something no holy man could purge, a god. Not all dogs go to Heaven: Charlie awakes in darkness, the one thing that saves him from the jaws of the family dog. He is guided to safety by Arabella, an old cat and a wise ally of the dark. Will Charlie have faith in her unorthodox instructions, or will he panic and go where his fears tell him? Solidarity: He gave the call, and everyone you know answered it. You know he speaks lies, you know he gives a fate worse than death. You are dragged to where 'all his promises shall be fulfilled' and he doesn't need to lift a finger: your family and friends have been fully convinced: hook, line and sinker.