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Terms of Service
[...]
To the extent permitted by applicable law, WHATIF Ltd. will not be liable for your lost sanity or indirect, special, incidental, consequential, exemplary, or punitive damages, including but not limited to mental damages, even if WHATIF Ltd. or its subsidiaries and affiliates have been advised of, knew or should have known that such damages were possible, and even if direct damages do not satisfy a remedy.
[...]
***
At the time, we all though it the most brilliant idea. We founded our own startup company, steadfast in our goal to take humanity one step forward. We strove to create the next thing, more intuitive than Apple's products, more addictive than Facebook, and reaching farther than Google.
"What if," I said back then, on the eve we officially graduated, "we could design the perfect simulator? One that would surpass all the current pathetic, unconvincing tries of creating an alternative reality?" The other members of the Quartet, as we've been named by the other students, nodded their understanding. We've studied together for so long, it was only natural for us to understand each other easily.
The role assignment was clear, matching our minor subjects. Melissa, ever practical and organized, took care of the administrative work. Amber, witty and beautiful, was in charge of finances and public relations. Serena, the artist, worked on the visual side. I was the main programmer, but also the driving force of the company: it was my idea, after all.
***
Prototype was ready less than two years after the kick off meeting. We cast lots, laughing about statistics, combinatorics and luck. I won the chance of being the first to try using our product. According to our agreement, during the trial period I was to take notes, describing my thoughts, as well as the functioning of the program. My overall health was appraised beforehand, and any changes in my daily routine were to be written down in a different table.
The experiment began.
***
My first experience was a complete success. It was indeed intuitive and easy to use, and the images, smells and voices felt so real I didn't even have to forget it's initially an alternative reality – it was reality, from the second I put the (oh-so-light and beautifully designed) helmet on. Naturally, my thoughts took me back to our graduation evening. What if my friends had not agreed with my idea? The possible alternate presence unraveled: I was working tediously on a boring project in a large hi-tech company, barely keeping in touch with my friends. When I returned to the actual reality, I was so glad about the turn of events, I had to try it on again.
***
The trial period ended. I barely noticed. When Melissa called, I sent my report by email.
***
Dosage:
Do not exceed the recommended dosage (once a month).
Under supervising only.
Warnings:
Do not drive while using this product.
Allow a lapse of at least two hours between using this product and driving.
The mental condition of the patient should be monitored.
If you experience significant change in your mental condition, you should inform your doctor.
Side effects:
Hallucinations, sleep disruptions, mood changes, acute emotions, malnutrition.
Effects that require special attention:
Insomnia, depression, anorexia: stop treatment and consult your doctor.
Psychosis: stop treatment and consult your doctor immediately!
[...]
To the extent permitted by applicable law, WHATIF Ltd. will not be liable for your lost sanity or indirect, special, incidental, consequential, exemplary, or punitive damages, including but not limited to mental damages, even if WHATIF Ltd. or its subsidiaries and affiliates have been advised of, knew or should have known that such damages were possible, and even if direct damages do not satisfy a remedy.
[...]
***
At the time, we all though it the most brilliant idea. We founded our own startup company, steadfast in our goal to take humanity one step forward. We strove to create the next thing, more intuitive than Apple's products, more addictive than Facebook, and reaching farther than Google.
"What if," I said back then, on the eve we officially graduated, "we could design the perfect simulator? One that would surpass all the current pathetic, unconvincing tries of creating an alternative reality?" The other members of the Quartet, as we've been named by the other students, nodded their understanding. We've studied together for so long, it was only natural for us to understand each other easily.
The role assignment was clear, matching our minor subjects. Melissa, ever practical and organized, took care of the administrative work. Amber, witty and beautiful, was in charge of finances and public relations. Serena, the artist, worked on the visual side. I was the main programmer, but also the driving force of the company: it was my idea, after all.
***
Prototype was ready less than two years after the kick off meeting. We cast lots, laughing about statistics, combinatorics and luck. I won the chance of being the first to try using our product. According to our agreement, during the trial period I was to take notes, describing my thoughts, as well as the functioning of the program. My overall health was appraised beforehand, and any changes in my daily routine were to be written down in a different table.
The experiment began.
***
My first experience was a complete success. It was indeed intuitive and easy to use, and the images, smells and voices felt so real I didn't even have to forget it's initially an alternative reality – it was reality, from the second I put the (oh-so-light and beautifully designed) helmet on. Naturally, my thoughts took me back to our graduation evening. What if my friends had not agreed with my idea? The possible alternate presence unraveled: I was working tediously on a boring project in a large hi-tech company, barely keeping in touch with my friends. When I returned to the actual reality, I was so glad about the turn of events, I had to try it on again.
***
The trial period ended. I barely noticed. When Melissa called, I sent my report by email.
***
Dosage:
Do not exceed the recommended dosage (once a month).
Under supervising only.
Warnings:
Do not drive while using this product.
Allow a lapse of at least two hours between using this product and driving.
The mental condition of the patient should be monitored.
If you experience significant change in your mental condition, you should inform your doctor.
Side effects:
Hallucinations, sleep disruptions, mood changes, acute emotions, malnutrition.
Effects that require special attention:
Insomnia, depression, anorexia: stop treatment and consult your doctor.
Psychosis: stop treatment and consult your doctor immediately!
This story was written for 
's Past and Present contest.
Me founding a startup company with a few friends, as well as having a B.Sc. degree in Math and Computers by now, could have been a possible reality, had I chosen to study more seriously almost ten years ago.
When I saw the prompt, I immediately thought of much more than one event I could relate to and wonder what would have happened and who would I've become, had things been different. I found it really hard to find answers to those questions. I'm sure I'd be a different person, as event in life influence us and shape us in ways we cannot see when they happen. However, I do know that thinking too much about previous decisions and event could lead mostly to regret, even if there's no way to know what would have come out of a different choice. It's good to reflect upon things, but I think it's important not to exceed the recommended dosage.
's Past and Present contest.Me founding a startup company with a few friends, as well as having a B.Sc. degree in Math and Computers by now, could have been a possible reality, had I chosen to study more seriously almost ten years ago.
When I saw the prompt, I immediately thought of much more than one event I could relate to and wonder what would have happened and who would I've become, had things been different. I found it really hard to find answers to those questions. I'm sure I'd be a different person, as event in life influence us and shape us in ways we cannot see when they happen. However, I do know that thinking too much about previous decisions and event could lead mostly to regret, even if there's no way to know what would have come out of a different choice. It's good to reflect upon things, but I think it's important not to exceed the recommended dosage.
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