As a reader of this blog, you know that I can’t. I do wish that I could. I’ve got this idea for a book; or movie; or short story; or, heck, even a song. I’ve never written any of these before (OK, I’ve written contributed to a few songs) and suffer from the fact I can see the forest but not the trees. I’m not a detail-oriented person (you’ve probably noticed that too) but more a big picture kind of person. In other words, I tend to look at the broad overview of something and minimally focus on the small stuff. This creates a problem when, you know, trying to write stuff because books tend to be specific (unless it’s some sort self-help or how-to-succeed-in-business crap). My idea is very libertarian in nature but in that libertarian-as-problematic sort of way. So, here’s the basic plot:

The story starts in the not-so-distant future (let’s say Tuesday). A company that develops computer operating systems, network software, network security and internet related type products is successful at this venture and makes tons of money by bullying/buying competitors, developing cushy corporate partnerships, and integrating all this stuff in convenient packages. The company’s products are extensively ingrained into the fabric of society (they make the buses go, the water flow, manage the big banking institutions, etc.). This company is fictitious and not based on any real company currently operating. Tentatively, the company is called MacroHard.

Because the company is successful, everyone wants a piece of it, including certain regulatory and governmental agencies. However, try as they might, they can’t quite get MacroHard under control. It outsmarts them regularly and is usually way ahead of the various agencies’ ploys. Litigation ensues and MacroHard keeps paying out small settlements to satisfy these agencies (mostly because it’s cheaper than fighting this stuff in court).

One day, the various governmental agencies of the world launch a major legal offensive to reel in this company that is just too big for it’s britches. Said legal offensive would literally ruin the company by making it pay out huge dollars, subdividing it into separate smaller entities, and giving out its technological secrets. The company mounts a glorious legal defense (I sense the book could have some court room drama) but the fix was in. The company loses.

The outrage from the corporate world is astounding. Major executives, feeling their life’s work is in danger from such tactics, are enraged. All major corporations suddenly become quite hostile.

MacroHard, in defiance, basically tells the government No! We’re not going to do that. The government threatens the use of force. MacroHard says We’re still not going to do it. Various law enforcement and military agencies show up at MacroHard’s corporate headquarters ready to launch an offensive. Some intense negotiations ensue with MacroHard still saying No! and the government intent upon enforcing compliance.

The raid commences. Suddenly, the cars don’t go; the radios don’t work; the communications links fail; the internets are down; the phones are dead; various military technologies stop functioning; satellites no longer provide positioning data. The military’s sophisticated hardware and software is basically useless. Using brute force, the corporate HQ is secured by the military only to find that no one was there. MacroHard and its corporate allies have pulled the plug on things electronic and ran (remember, they’re ingrained into society and, as we just found out, they know all the back-doors since they put them there).

MacroHard just launched World War 3 (or maybe 4 depending on who you ask). Corporate America vs. Regulatory Bodies. The effect is widespread. The buses no longer go; the water doesn’t flow; the dams don’t work; deliveries aren’t made; money and banking assets are frozen. The corporations have shut the world down and it’s one giant Mexican standoff. General chaos ensues as Corporate America and the Regulatory Bodies duke it out. The militaries are neutered since they can’t communicate and their nifty gadgets don’t work. Corporate America can’t do much since money is now worthless. Those hardest hit, of course, are the regular Joes, who can’t keep their electricity going or go to the store and get some food.

That’s as far as I get. Don’t know how to conclude or who the major characters would be. What do you think?

Update: Apparently, it’s been done, sort of.

Posted in uncategorized on January 5th, 2005 by SayUncle | RSS 2.0 |