Read Opt-In from the beginning.
Episode 2: Let’s Be Friends
Red explains: "Typically, you'd interact with your Avatar on your phone or other device. But we'll keep Karen's Avatar up here for demonstration purposes."
Brad squirms in his chair, then approaches the big screen as if to talk to Bo. The Avatar stands silent.
"Did you log in?" Red asks.
Brad is dismissive as he examines Bo up close. "No, no. I." The Avatar looks like a regular person. He's slightly over six feet tall and in excellent physical shape.
"Brad, sit down, for Pete's sake. It's on pause or something." Monique wants to get going. Brad flops down in his chair like an irritated teenager.
"That's correct," says Red. "I paused it, and I've given you administrative access. With this tool, you can override the user, but right now you're taking the passenger seat, so you get an idea of her motivations."
"I see. Interesting. How do I start?" Monique can barely contain her excitement.
"Allow me," a voice comes from the presentation screen. Red spins around to see the Avatar has booted back up on its own. She slips closer to the laptop.
"Looks like you're ready to take the spotlight," Red says to the Avatar.
"Yes, ma'am!" It winks at Red. She involuntarily recoils, but no one notices her reaction because all eyes are on Bo. It smiles and turns to Monique, who has moved to sit closer to the screen. Brad can't help himself. He's up again. This time, he stands to the side, watching the Avatar's every move.
"Let's see. What would Red do?" Bo scratches its chin as it paces across the screen, looking human. After a moment of contemplation, it continues.
"Well, I believe she would want you to get a gander at all the data you can collect on my friend, Karen. While I'm thrilling the user with shopping sprees and confirming her self-worth, she's dropping data like you wouldn't…"
Red pauses Bo before it can finish its sentence. "I want to point out that this Avatar's personality has everything to do with Karen."
"May we continue?" Monique wants more.
"Yes, yes, of course." Red releases Bo from pause mode.
"I get the feeling you don't like the way I'm handling things, Red. Want to add something?"
"Thanks, Bo. I do."
Red faces Monique and Brad. "For better or worse, people will give up their information to get something cool for free. The data harvesting I've written into the App's code is legal, but…"
"Did you know that human futures is a thing? You know, on the stock market?" Brad’s eyes twinkle like Christmas lights.
"Shut up, Brad. Let her speak," Monique snaps.
"I did not know that Brad. Thanks for pointing that out," says Red, squinting her eyes slightly. She takes off her blazer and hangs it on a nearby chair. There's a light whistle from the big screen. She ignores it.
"The point is that I wrote this algorithm, as a legal way for advertisers to collect data. The users get the App for free after they sign the agreement. So Brad, they don't have to spend money. You sell advertising. BUsinesses spend the money because the App directs the users to things that make them happy. Things they buy."
"Brilliant!" Monique cheers.
"Yes! There's an old saying in marketing: if you're not paying for the product, you are the product." Brad pulls out his phone and logs in on SŌSH.
"That's only the tip of the iceberg as far as this technology goes." Red walks over to the lectern. "Monique, would you like to see your Avatar?"
"Actually, I think I'll hold off for a minute and have Brad explore Karen's SŌSH on the big screen if you don't mind. He is our marketing guru, after all."
"Sounds good," says Red.
Brad stands up and gets close to the big screen. "Thank you, Monique. Red. Hey there, Bo buddy. Are you in there?"
Red unlocks the App.
The Avatar appears, hands behind its back, smiling. "Where would you like to start, Brad?"
Brad smiles. "Let's talk about how you work your magic."
Bo puffs up a little. "It's hardly magic, although it has been said that any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from mag—"
"—We get it," Brad interrupts, "You're special."
The big screen turns a shade of blush, and Bo continues. "Karen is what Red refers to as a persuadable."
"I'm familiar with the term," Brad says. "Red obviously has some marketing background." He gives Red an appreciative glance. "Okay, Bo, show me how you persuade Ms. Karen to spend some money."
"I'd be happy to, Bradly."
"Well. Okay then. Carry on."
Bo leaves the big screen and pops up on all three cell phones. Monique jumps when the Avatar appears before her.
"My apologies, ma'am. Didn't mean to startle you. I move fast sometimes.” Bo gives her a mischeivious smile that makes her giggle like a school girl. “It's easier to demonstrate my techniques from a bird's eye view," Bo says.
Meanwhile, on the big screen someone is scrolling through a social media feed. Monique looks from her phone to the big screen and back to her phone. "Is that?"
Bo interrupts, "Why yes ma'am, it’s Karen's social media feed. We now have audio and visual connection."
Red looks down at her phone. Bo winks at her. She lays the phone face down on the lectern and turns to the big screen.
Stay tuned for Episode Three, this Friday, 9/27/24.