human
What did you sell him, then?
gpt
We made an entertainment device for him.
human
A little thing. This size.
gpt
You have seen it, then.
human
Yes. And nothing more? That was all he bought here?
gpt
It was all we had to sell--or give. We don't yet know whether Earthmen will give us things in exchange for currency. We'll see, when we next need something from Aresia.
human
How did it work? This thing you sold him.
gpt
Oh, it lets people tell stories to themselves.
human
What kind of stories?
gpt
Any kind, the Martian said blandly.
human
Burr told us what he wanted. He had drawings with him of an Earthman device that used pictures on a screen, and broadcast sounds, to carry the details of the story told to the auditor.
gpt
He stole those patents! He couldn't have used them on Earth.
human
And why should he? Our device needs to convey no precise details. Any mind can make its own. It only needs to be put into a situation, and from there it can do all the work. If an auditor wishes a story of contact with other sexes, for example, the projector simply makes it seem to him, the next time he is with the object of his desire, that he is getting positive feedback--that he is arousing a similar response in that object. Once that has been established for him, the auditor may then leave the machine, move about normally, conduct his life as usual--but always in accordance with the basic situation. It is, you see, in the end a means of introducing system into his view of reality. Of course, his society must understand that he is not in accord with reality, for some of what he does cannot seem rational from an outside view of him. So some care must be taken, but not much. If many such devices were to enter his society, soon the circumstances would become commonplace, and the society would surely readjust to allow for it,
gpt
The machine creates any desired situation in the auditor's mind?
human
Certainly. There are simple predisposing tapes that can be inserted as desired. Love, adventure, cerebration--it makes no difference.