"The Sails Of Tau Ceti" - читать интересную книгу автора (McCollum Michael)

sensed the complex electrical rhythm of the brain and translated conscious
thoughts into electrical impulses that were then transmitted to a remote
computer. The computerТs response was then translated back into brain waves, and
the required patterns induced in the sensory centers of the brain.
There were limitations, of course. The wearer had to learn to think in such a
manner that the implant interpreted that mental activity as a command, and not
as the background noise that was normal thought. It was a little like learning
to wiggle oneТs ears. No one could precisely describe how to accomplish it, but
once the skill was mastered, it was never forgotten. The implants did nothing to
make the wearer more intelligent. What they did do was provide a phenomenal
memory, to the point where one could УrememberФ things they had never known.
There were other practical limitations on implant use. Most people quickly
reached a point where additional data merely confused them. The problem, long
known to students, was known as Уavalanche effectФ because it felt as though one
was being buried under an avalanche of data. The symptoms were that anyone who
tried to delve too far into a subject ended up disoriented and muddled.
Curiously, a few people seemed immune to the problem. No matter how complex the
task, these rare minds were able to keep the goal in view without becoming mired
down in detail. Such clear-headedness was an inborn talent. It could not be
taught or learned. Those so blessed found themselves in demand as managers,
organizers of complex projects, and most especially, as high level computer
synergists.
A synergist was not a computer programmer since the computers had long ago been
given the ability to program themselves. Rather, synergists watched over the
flow of the automated software generating programs, and nudged them in the
proper direction. For like the vast majority of human beings, computers, too,
tended to become bogged down in the details.
Upon learning that she was immune to avalanche effect, Tory Bronson switched
from the College of Law to Synergistic Science. There she met Ben Tallen. He was
another Synergism candidate. After dating for most of their sophomore year, they
agreed to move in together. As time went on, they began to talk about landing
high paying jobs with some Earth-based megacorp, and though the subject rarely
arose, Tory, at least, had visions of marriage.
A month before graduation, Tory was accessing the list of companies who would be
interviewing at the university placement center and discovered the Starhopper
Project. She remembered the lecture she had attended years earlier and decided
to check it out. What she was not prepared for was BenТs reaction when she told
him about it that night at dinner.
УWhat the hell are you interviewing with them for?Ф he asked around a crust of
pizza.
УIТve got a free period and it sounds interesting.Ф
УDonТt be a frump!Ф
УWho are you calling a frump, skinker?Ф
УYou, if you interview with that damned black sky project. You know who is
behind it, donТt you? Old Centauri Pierce over in Astrophysics! It is his hobby.
HeТs gotten a bit of funding from the local yokels and is now trying to scam
Earth into lofting the rest.Ф
УSo whereТs the harm in listening?Ф
УThe harm, my dear demented love, is the damage you may do to your chances of
getting on with an EarthCorp. If they hear youТve been talking to nuts, they