The Truth Machine
The Truth Machine
October, 1996
Ivy Press $19.95, hardcover
332 pages
An interesting future to consider, a world of people who would know that any variation from their perception of the spoken truth would be revealed and measured by a truth machine.Mr. Halperin's story traces the times and life of Randall Peterson Armstrong, the man responsible for the development of the truth machine, from the year 1991 through 2052. Randall, who as a child displayed his five sigma (5 times the standard variation of intelligence) talent and his perfect total recall, was surrounded by an increasingly violent and unstable world. He was haunted throughout his life by the tragic murder of his 3 year old brother--his soulmate--by an uncontrollable sociopath. "In his mind he'd constructed a connection between himself and his brother an attachment solidified by never uttered guilt . . . ."
As Randall (known as Pete) grew up, he, a loner and a bit quirky, learned to apply his prodigious intelligence to overcome his personal weaknesses. Many people attracted by his charm and sincerity became devoted lifelong friends and colleagues. During a debate in his Harvard honors class, "Theology of Social Science," about the social consequences of lies and truth, Pete realized that a "truth machine" might have prevented his brother's murder. Disturbed by the ever more sophisticated technology available to terrorists and criminals, he decided to dedicate his life to the project:
"Often we can't even identify sociopaths, much less determine their intentions. Eventually some of these people will have the capacity to end all life on earth; it's only a matter of time. Until we build a truth machine."
During the political swirl around the Swift and Sure Anticrime Bill (with executions projected at 16,000 during the first year), Pete gathered his Research and Development team for Armstrong Technologies Inc. (ATI). Quickly ATI became the leading innovator of software and their financial success provided the funding necessary to continue the arduous task of developing a scip (scan cerebral image patterns) machine with 100% accuracy.
In 2024, the United States Truth Machine Panel officially approved the Armstrong Cerebral Image Processor (ACIP) for use in the nation's judicial systems. The ACIP was rapidly accepted and used world-wide in all business and political negotiations. As wrist units became available, the ACIP became common in all phases of life including personal relationships. But Pete Armstrong was the only one who could pass a scip and lie.
Each chapter of the book begins with an italicized synopsis of national and world events. Many of the speculations are plausible and provide interesting backdrops for the story. There is also information about the World Future Society listed in the back of the book as well as two reader surveys offering random drawings for prizes, including memberships in the World Future Society, for those who return the surveys. Promotional efforts include opinion polls about the desirability of a truth machine particularly while we are all focused on the politicians in an election year.
Although filled with an interesting projection of the future, this book contains few surprises and the characters' interactions provide little tension or suspense. The narrative of the story is provided by a contextual processor, the Intel 22g CP; "When the photons strike just right, I'm even capable of some marginal irony or humor". 22g CP's references to its owner and periodic asides about the treatment and experiences of fellow computers are incongruous and distracting.
Most speculative fiction excites me; I love the new ideas woven like gold threads into the sturdy weave of good fiction. Mr. Halperin should have spent less time on his search for future truths and more time on spinning a good story.
Review by Chris Oakley Oakley & Farrell
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