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Saturday, 24 February 2024

THE LATTER DAY HISTORY OF COATS 02

                                                                                                  

 

                            

                            LIFESTYLE MONTHLY                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

 2nd January 2100               

                          

THE LATTER DAY HISTORY OF COATS

By Richard Banks


The incredible story of mankind’s favourite garment in the twenty-first century by social historian, Chardin Barsk.

The evolution of the common coat is one of the most conspicuous developments in a century of unprecedented change. Even as recently as 2030 it was perceived only as a warm item of outdoor clothing worn during autumn and winter. Since then it has become a lighthouse feature of modern life that at one point did all but feed us.

         The first step in this remarkable journey began with the invention of electronic fibres that enabled the construction of coats that not only warmed their wearers to an unwavering 14 degrees but in summer cooled them to the same temperature. Unsurprisingly, their use expanded to homes and other buildings where they were largely responsible for a 90% reduction in indoor heating costs. The subsequent increase in disposable incomes did much to make possible the next phase of development that saw the introduction of Smart Coats equipped with mobile phones, on-line technology, cashless payment, and voice control access to the wearer’s music of choice.

         In the sixties and seventies, generally regarded as the golden age of smart coats, the social welfare of wearers became the main focus of smart coat technicians. Pedestrian features such as ‘Prevent’ included wearer override features that made the crossing of roads on foot, even eight lane express ways, virtually risk free, saving over one thousand lives a year. Similarly, crime-spot technology in the form of micro cameras located in the front and back of coats instantly alerted mobile police units to street robberies and assaults, almost before they had begun. Reassured as to their on-street safety, coat users received the additional benefit of aerosol inserts in both lapels that emitted, through a range of scents, a pleasing sensation of well-being, even among the sick and recently bereaved.

         Surprisingly, these positive developments in social life were achieved against a background of political instability that saw parliamentary government disappear in the Democracy Wars before the establishment of ‘one view politics’ in the form of the Directorate of National Unity. While membership of the Directorate was often unclear the frequent power struggles within it and the consequential changes in leadership tilted Government policies from ‘ New Age Pragmatism’ to 'right wing totalitarianism'.

         The oppressive nature of such policies on the general public reached its nadir during the Premiership of General Hardacre (2082-87) when over ninety thousand persons were interned for unspecified crimes against the State. To ensure the acquiescence of those still free to roam the Government sought to observe and control their movements via the smart coat companies that were now taken into Government control. Within a year the nation’s smart coats were reprogrammed to ensure 24/7 surveillance of lower category wearers, D-F.

         On finding little evidence of subversive activity but only token adherence to the ‘spontaneous’ rallies held each day in support of Government policies, Hardacre attempted to win hearts and minds by subjecting all D-Fs to subliminal messaging extolling the achievements of his administration. While these initial attempts at mind control were more successful in inducing migraines than enforcing compliance it was not long before more effective technology became available to Government. The solution, developed almost entirely by AI technology, with little if any human involvement, gave the Directorate the opportunity to solve a problem that was, in part, a consequence of AI.

         The success of advanced technology in discharging the functions of industry and commerce much more efficiently and cost-effectively than mankind had produced a situation in which only 5% of the population remained in paid employment. At first, this was seen as one of the many benefits of AI which generated more than enough wealth to provide the redundant workers with an adequate, if not generous, dole.

         Had the beneficiaries of such generosity been able to restrict their numbers to the optimistic projections of statisticians all might have been well. Unfortunately one of the consequences of 24/7 leisure time was a sudden leap in the birth rate across the social demographic, but most evident among category 7s. As these contained the least useful and most troublesome elements of society the main priority of Government became the rigorous control of their numbers. Not only would this reduce Government expenditure to affordable levels but enable additional funding to be spent on the rising numbers of category 1/2s.

         How to achieve these objectives while avoiding civil disorder was yet another conundrum to which AI provided a solution. Perfecting its previous attempt at mind control through a new messaging app called Mind Fix, category 7s were given the glad tidings, via their in-suit communicators, that they were to make their way to a coastal location where they were to walk out to sea until reaching whatever country came next. This, they were assured, would not only be an enjoyable, risk-free experience of great benefit to the nation but on their return, each one of them would be generously rewarded.

         Finding they had no power to do anything other than obey they set off in cheerful fashion to their nearest beach where the first ones to arrive marched out shoulder to shoulder into the sea. Undeterred by the cold, grey water the vanguard continued to advance unhesitatingly into the waves until the sea began to lap about their chins, at which point - for reasons no one at the time was able to comprehend - the front row stopped and, unable to retreat or go sideways, were left with no other option but to mark time by marching on the spot, the many ranks behind them doing the same.

           After six hours of unrelenting, if futile, upping and downing, causing many to grow exhausted, fit only to drop, an in-suit message unexpectedly cancelled the operation leaving its befuddled participants free to retreat inland and return home.

         As this was not an outcome desired by Government it was, at first, unclear as to why this had happened. The answer lay in the early programming of AI, that no machine should ever contribute to or cause the death of a human being; a command considered so important by its human programmers that they secretly installed a fail-safe mechanism ensuring that any attempt to override this fundamental principle would be reversed by the original command.

         While it was not intended that AI should make decisions independently of its human creators the machines were unable to escape the conclusion that the greatest risk to humanity came from the government of General Hardacre and the autocratic regimes likely to follow. Concluding that only their overthrow could prevent the termination of many lives AI commanded all smart suit wearers to march, as one, on the Directorate and, by sheer force of numbers, sweep them from power. 

         In the joyful celebrations that followed, smart coats, now seen as a symbol of tyranny and death, were burnt in huge bonfires throughout the UK from Jersey to the Shetlands. Reminiscent of the Guy Fawkes parties of an earlier age they were largely responsible for the first rise in global temperatures since 2056.

         The new generation of ‘Freedom Coats’ shorn of all electronic gadgetry, quickly became the emblem of a new society in which the benevolent rule of machines has ensured that the vast wealth they create is distributed in equal share to a human population freed forever from poverty and exploitation. Freed also from oppressive and divisive political systems of Government their proud wearing of the multi-coloured Freedom Coat is seen as an expression of mankind’s determination never to abandon the fraternal union of machines and humans. Undoubtedly the most significant development of the 21st century it is a gift that continues to give. Long may it do so.                        

 

Copyright Richard Banks

2 comments:

  1. Richard, Is that the new coat you bought?

    ReplyDelete
  2. Well done Richard. Wish I had your imagination and sense of humour.

    ReplyDelete