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The Tranquility Chip
Summer, 2044. Ethan Weber, a brain implant firmware programmer, finds a suspicious flaw in the code of the tranquility chip, a new-tech brain implant device. No bigger than a sunflower seed, the tranquility chip allows users to dampen the human “fight or flight” reaction, giving the rational mind an edge. The chip and the techniques surrounding this enhanced brain discipline have given rise to the Rational Party, the first viable third political party in the US in more than a century. He reports the incident to his superiors, but the hack is covered up by a rogue government plant inside the company. Before the agents can “plug the leak,” US Army Captain Veronica Rosen rescues him and the two begin their escape into the shadows. Veronica is a test subject in the company’s experimental “warrior chip” project and a cyberwarfare expert. The pair work to discover who is behind the hack and what they intend to do with it, just one step ahead of their pursuers. With the help of some friends and contacts in unusual places, they learn of the “Committee,” a cabal of powerful Washington power brokers who want to destroy the rising third party. The Rational Party is poised for success on the eve of its national convention, and it has been winning away legislators and voters from both the Democratic and Republican parties. When the Committee exploits the hack they created, 40 million people around the world are stricken. Ethan and Veronica have to fix the hack, obtain evidence of the Committee’s involvement, and get it all back to the real authorities in time to prevent the Rational Party and its presidential candidate from being eliminated. The Tranquility Chip is a near-future science-fiction story that combines brain science, politics, espionage, cyberwarfare, military action, romance, and human interest in one novel. This future is less than 30 years away, but it is entirely possible given the current trajectory of science, technology, and politics.
224 pages, Paperback
Published May 12, 2017
5 people want to read
About the author
Steve Semler
8 books2 followersSteve Semler is an author of both fiction (science fiction and fantasy) and non-fiction (training, human resources, and leadership). He has a background in learning psychology and experience in a variety of business environments. He earned his bachelor's degree in Psychology from the University of Wisconsin, his master's degree in Human Resource Management and Development from Chapman University, and is slowly working toward finishing his Ph.D. in Human Resource Development at the University of Minnesota.
Fiction: Steve started by writing fan fiction for Watership Down at the age of 8, and has gone on from there with fantasy and science fiction being his major passions. Early influences ranged from Robert Heinlein, Anne McCaffrey, and Isaac Asimov to the Minneapolis "Scribblies" writers' group (Steven Brust, Emma Bull, Will Shetterly, Pat Wrede, and others). Steve often takes fantasy or science fiction RPGs or MMORPGs as creative inspiration for his stories, and turns them on their sides with "What if...?" questions for those game environments. "A Wing and a Prayer" is his first published novel-length work.
Non-Fiction: While no relation to Ricardo Semler (of "Maverick" fame in Brazil), Steve's humanist leadership philosophy is remarkably similar. Steve has worked in various training, HR, and logistics management positions, in both internal management and external consultant roles. He has helped build training groups, established a corporate university, and won both corporate university and academic research awards. He founded and runs his own consulting business, LearningSim. In addition to the variety of firms for which he has done consulting work, he has work experience with MoneyGram International, The Mosaic Company, The Schwan Food Company, Honeywell, and the US Army (active and reserve duty). The "5-Step Simulations" model he developed at LearningSim is at the core of much of his non-fiction work.
Fiction: Steve started by writing fan fiction for Watership Down at the age of 8, and has gone on from there with fantasy and science fiction being his major passions. Early influences ranged from Robert Heinlein, Anne McCaffrey, and Isaac Asimov to the Minneapolis "Scribblies" writers' group (Steven Brust, Emma Bull, Will Shetterly, Pat Wrede, and others). Steve often takes fantasy or science fiction RPGs or MMORPGs as creative inspiration for his stories, and turns them on their sides with "What if...?" questions for those game environments. "A Wing and a Prayer" is his first published novel-length work.
Non-Fiction: While no relation to Ricardo Semler (of "Maverick" fame in Brazil), Steve's humanist leadership philosophy is remarkably similar. Steve has worked in various training, HR, and logistics management positions, in both internal management and external consultant roles. He has helped build training groups, established a corporate university, and won both corporate university and academic research awards. He founded and runs his own consulting business, LearningSim. In addition to the variety of firms for which he has done consulting work, he has work experience with MoneyGram International, The Mosaic Company, The Schwan Food Company, Honeywell, and the US Army (active and reserve duty). The "5-Step Simulations" model he developed at LearningSim is at the core of much of his non-fiction work.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
August 28, 2017
"The Tranquility Chip" story was suggested by developments in neuroscience and my consulting and HR work. A good chunk of what I do with adult learning and organizational effectiveness involves finding ways to help people overcome resistance or fear of change. That got my fiction side thinking. "What if there was some way to get an edge on that old brain fight, flight, or freeze reflex?" "What if there was an implantable technology that could do this?" "What if that technology were hacked?" I came up with the idea in 2015 and then wrote it up in full as the 2016 NaNoWriMo challenge. (National Novel Writing Month in November, like a marathon of 50,000+ words of new material in one month!)
I also had done previous work with Medtronic's Neuromodulation group, so I felt that I had a good handle on what might be possible within the next 30 years. The political angle in the book--where the chip gave a kick to the first successful third party in US politics--just fell into place, partly as a result of what was going on with the 2016 elections. While not intended, this tension has gone to extreme levels with the actions of Donald Trump as president, interestingly enough.
I tell stories about heroes. This time, I wanted the hero to be a normal guy. A geeky sort of tech nerd, but without fitting the stereotype. What would a guy like that look like? And an army veteran as a counterpoint. To make it more interesting and add another look at advancing sex and gender balance, I made the vet a woman. I resolved at the beginning that the female character would not be a sex interest for the male protagonist... but something crept in. What if he became one for her?
What would that look like? She rescues him and they go on to try to stop what's happening at levels far, far above them in power. And there, combining elements, was the mix for the book.
I also had done previous work with Medtronic's Neuromodulation group, so I felt that I had a good handle on what might be possible within the next 30 years. The political angle in the book--where the chip gave a kick to the first successful third party in US politics--just fell into place, partly as a result of what was going on with the 2016 elections. While not intended, this tension has gone to extreme levels with the actions of Donald Trump as president, interestingly enough.
I tell stories about heroes. This time, I wanted the hero to be a normal guy. A geeky sort of tech nerd, but without fitting the stereotype. What would a guy like that look like? And an army veteran as a counterpoint. To make it more interesting and add another look at advancing sex and gender balance, I made the vet a woman. I resolved at the beginning that the female character would not be a sex interest for the male protagonist... but something crept in. What if he became one for her?
What would that look like? She rescues him and they go on to try to stop what's happening at levels far, far above them in power. And there, combining elements, was the mix for the book.
November 23, 2017
Steve's best book yet!
A very compelling and plausible glimpse into the future. A great mix of espionage and social responsibility. The main characters are engaging and real. I connected with them early and had to see the journey through. You will enjoy this book.
A very compelling and plausible glimpse into the future. A great mix of espionage and social responsibility. The main characters are engaging and real. I connected with them early and had to see the journey through. You will enjoy this book.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews