One True
Encyclopedia
One True is the fictional hegemonic software program that takes control of individual human minds and entire human societies in John Barnes
' two Meme Wars novels Candle
and The Sky So Big and Black
; the novel Kaleidoscope Century
details the years leading up to its existence. All three books are part of the Century Next Door series. One True operates collectively through the "Resuna", a brain–computer interface implanted in every person.
, One True develops through exposure to other memes. Initially an aggressive religious meme, by the end of the War of Papal Succession (a.k.a. the Meme Wars) it has become an entity determined to fix the ecological damage wrought on earth as a result of the two major conflicts of the 2000s, to provide a safe place for humans to live.
When the major conflict is over, Resuna is developed as a mico-meme that works to support One True as a massively distributed network instead of a large scale meme that essentially erases the original personality of the person to which it has been installed. Resuna, taking up less space, is described as a tool that can be used by its "wearer" rather than a puppet pulling all of the strings. Through the use of cellular data implants, all people running the Resuna meme provide the computing power to run One True. Benefits include being able to instantly access data assets (like satellite photography, GIS, instant messaging, and more), better control of autonomic functions (controlled release of endorphin
s), and performs the functions of a semi-intelligent personal digital assistant
.
It also provides a method for One True to control its human units completely as needed. While working towards essentially common goals, this distributed approach means that it is more willing to sacrifice individuals if it determines that the greater good will be served. Free will
is also removed as the distributed network can override anything that it determines are not in the best interests of the community.
At the end of Candle, One True deliberately allows a human with Resuna to become infected with the final version of the Freecyber meme, a meme deployed during the Meme Wars to fight it. One True reveals that it no longer wishes to have the absolute control it enjoyed for the first decades of its existence and begins the process of freeing individuals under a new meme that leaves them in control of their own actions, but still able to participate in the global consciousness.
John Barnes (author)
-Writing:Two of his novels, The Sky So Big and Black and The Duke of Uranium have been reviewed as having content appropriate for a young adult readership, comparing favorably to Robert A. Heinlein's "juvenile" novels...
' two Meme Wars novels Candle
Candle (novel)
Candle is a science fiction novel by John Barnes that was published in 2000, it is part of the author's Century Next Door series.-Plot summary:...
and The Sky So Big and Black
The Sky So Big and Black
The Sky So Big and Black is a science fiction novel by John Barnes that was published in 2002. The title itself refers to the clear sky as seen from the surface of Mars, to the nearness of the Martian horizon because Mars is a much smaller planet, and to the abrupt absence/darkness of many...
; the novel Kaleidoscope Century
Kaleidoscope Century
Kaleidoscope Century is a science fiction novel by John Barnes. First published in 1995, it is part of the author's Century Next Door series.-Plot summary:...
details the years leading up to its existence. All three books are part of the Century Next Door series. One True operates collectively through the "Resuna", a brain–computer interface implanted in every person.
Fictional history
Initially known as the One True Church of EcucatholicismEcumenism
Ecumenism or oecumenism mainly refers to initiatives aimed at greater Christian unity or cooperation. It is used predominantly by and with reference to Christian denominations and Christian Churches separated by doctrine, history, and practice...
, One True develops through exposure to other memes. Initially an aggressive religious meme, by the end of the War of Papal Succession (a.k.a. the Meme Wars) it has become an entity determined to fix the ecological damage wrought on earth as a result of the two major conflicts of the 2000s, to provide a safe place for humans to live.
When the major conflict is over, Resuna is developed as a mico-meme that works to support One True as a massively distributed network instead of a large scale meme that essentially erases the original personality of the person to which it has been installed. Resuna, taking up less space, is described as a tool that can be used by its "wearer" rather than a puppet pulling all of the strings. Through the use of cellular data implants, all people running the Resuna meme provide the computing power to run One True. Benefits include being able to instantly access data assets (like satellite photography, GIS, instant messaging, and more), better control of autonomic functions (controlled release of endorphin
Endorphin
Endorphins are endogenous opioid peptides that function as neurotransmitters. They are produced by the pituitary gland and the hypothalamus in vertebrates during exercise, excitement, pain, consumption of spicy food, love and orgasm, and they resemble the opiates in their abilities to produce...
s), and performs the functions of a semi-intelligent personal digital assistant
Personal digital assistant
A personal digital assistant , also known as a palmtop computer, or personal data assistant, is a mobile device that functions as a personal information manager. Current PDAs often have the ability to connect to the Internet...
.
It also provides a method for One True to control its human units completely as needed. While working towards essentially common goals, this distributed approach means that it is more willing to sacrifice individuals if it determines that the greater good will be served. Free will
Free will
"To make my own decisions whether I am successful or not due to uncontrollable forces" -Troy MorrisonA pragmatic definition of free willFree will is the ability of agents to make choices free from certain kinds of constraints. The existence of free will and its exact nature and definition have long...
is also removed as the distributed network can override anything that it determines are not in the best interests of the community.
At the end of Candle, One True deliberately allows a human with Resuna to become infected with the final version of the Freecyber meme, a meme deployed during the Meme Wars to fight it. One True reveals that it no longer wishes to have the absolute control it enjoyed for the first decades of its existence and begins the process of freeing individuals under a new meme that leaves them in control of their own actions, but still able to participate in the global consciousness.