The History of Cybernetics-2

The Exo or short for Exo Neural Network was the first major leap in cybernetics. It took a leap that was light years beyond its predecessor. Instead of medical treatment like in paralysis and other conditions, this was mainly marketed for the normal consumers.

The Max fiber was like a neuron, it just bridged the broken connections. Nothing more. No super computers or extreme body modifications or anything like that. The Exo was like a computer inside your head that let you to do whatever you want with your body.

Although it was actually intended for AR(Augmented Reality), with status screens on your vision and programs that maintained your body, it was most successful for the VR(Virtual Reality) usage.

There were mainly 2 versions of the Exo.

The first one had a single node or lump at the back of the head that connected to an external network. All the sensory areas of the brain are connected to a single piece that pops outside and is connected.

The second one had 3 parts. Two small rods, one of them inserted at one side of the forehead and the other a few centimeters below the back of the head, on the spine. Both of them were connected by a thin head band with the logo Exo, printed on it. Once put on, you looked like an outdated fashion trend. But this was a real game changer. Not only was it easy to make and easy to use, it was also much safer.

The first version of the Exo sent signals directly to the brain. This was bad because your skull had to be drilled small nodes were inserted into your brain. It also needed an rechargeable battery placed in side the skin to work. If something were to happen, for example like some current passing to the brain fluctuated, this would cause paralysis or even brain death.

The second version of the Exo used much less power than the first one and the power was provided from the head band. Unlike the first one, the second version did not directly send signals to the brain, it sent signals to the nerves connected to the brain. The nerves that carried sensory signals. This was much safer than the first one because it didn't have any threat of causing harm to the brain. It used much less power and was able to connect to a wireless network due to the head band acting as an antenna.

This lead to the creation of HiveNet. A large number of interconnected human brains.

The internet which was a bunch of connected computers, phones, servers and devices. Most of the data was controlled by servers. Unlike the internet, the HiveNet did not have any servers, meaning that it could not be controlled by a single person or a small group of people. People could freely share thoughts and ideas between each other without even moving their bodies.

Unfortunately, this unregulated use of HiveNet was quickly shut down as people could easily organize and coordinate acts of violence or mass riots. A new bill was approved which led to the creation of "Mega Brains". These Mega Brains acted just like servers on the internet, controlling the flow of information. The HiveNet soon became like the internet, regulated to an extent, but much more easily accessible to everyone.

The first hyper realistic online virtual world was H.I.V.E (Hive Integrated Virtual Environment). It was a world that was only limited by the power of your imagination. Everything and anything could be done in this world. It had a bunch of MMORPGs that were its subsidiaries.

This world felt so realistic and immersive that a lot of people wanted to spend most of their lives here than the real world which was torn apart by wars and famines. By the middle of the 21st century, more than two billion were HIVE users, mostly from the weakened nations. Fighting in between many smaller nations had left many dead and destroyed the lives of the living.

The planet was dying, the economy was collapsing, people were starving. Escaping this reality to a near perfect world was the only way to get comfort in these times.

That is until "that" happened.