A Cacophony of Posts by David Garrett

The script has a number of interesting components. One of the stand out aspects is the topical nature of the subject matter. Taking a “ripped from the headlines” approach, the story dramatizes the very real concerns and fears surrounding the world of the Internet of Things and Artificial Intelligence. As both the setting and the source of the dramatic question in play, the writer smartly focuses on the humans working from both corners of the conflict in this particular story — steering clear of the technological jargon and specifics and instead focusing on Mags et al’s objectives keeps the audience more engaged in the story and its outcome. Mags, as the protagonist, is like a friendlier version of the GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO; as someone incredibly competent but with a somewhat spiky demeanor, Mags is an interesting main character and has some dimension in which an actor could root a strong performance.

-Reviewer January 2019

“A clever computer programmer discovers a plot to strip people of their freedom in the name of security and must bring down her uncle’s company to stop it. The action (in the story) makes a solid case for the means to get consumers to gradually accept the introduction of increasingly invasive technologies into their lives. The Dyrette system helps to manage hacking threats, personalized VR systems helps take the frustration out of shopping, and everyone loves the idea of the health benefits of constant monitoring, giving most people good reason to believe that Hayward is a fundamentally good company. The philosophical debate that this produces, pitting security against freedom, is where this script is at its strongest. Mags efforts to protect people like her friends from hacking has led them to put trust into a system that is fundamentally corrupt. The twist when Kimbareta reveals that he is on her side serves well in building tension into the climax, simultaneously exposing their insurrection because of his own Hayward implant. The eager buy-in from people at the end, happy to compromise their freedom out of fear of a mysterious outside threat, ends the story with a solid statement on the fragility of individuality in a dangerous world.”

-Reviewer