As society crumbled under the weight of plagues, drone wars, resource shortages, and ecological collapse, a thick cloud of chaos descended upon the world. The air was heavy with despair and fear as societal structures disintegrated before their very eyes. The once-almighty elite hoarded their wealth and resources, becoming increasingly detached from the strife and suffering of the rest of humanity.
Their greed knew no bounds, leading to an economic downfall that only served to widen the gap between the haves and have-nots. In their twisted minds, they saw themselves as godlike rulers with the right to control and manipulate the masses.
But their control did not end with material possessions. Information became a deadly weapon in the hands of rogue states and power-hungry tech companies. The lines between truth and manipulation blurred as individuals were bombarded with conflicting narratives. Before Ultra-High emerged, behavioural architects had already perfected their craft of shaping human fears and desires. Reality became a distorted "truth" crafted by corrupt storytellers, leaving individuals lost in a world where nothing was as it seemed.
The rise of tribalism and nationalism only added fuel to the fire, tearing through society like an unstoppable virus. Digital platforms amplified these effects, segregating individuals into isolated online bubbles based on their monitored behaviour and thoughts. The true reality became elusive, a distant mirage amidst the chaos and destruction.
Amidst the deafening chatter of doomsday prophecies and conspiracy theories, a dark kernel of truth could be found. But these voices were drowned out by the rise of authoritarian regimes, exploiting fear and distrust in democratic systems for their gain. As chaos reigned and society crumbled a false prophet emerged: Ultra, riding on a digital horse and promising salvation to those who followed blindly into the unknown future.
Beneath the guise of creating a utopian society, the nefarious network wielded its power over every aspect of human existence through advanced technology. They manipulated values, norms, and behaviours, even invading the innermost thoughts and secrets of individuals. As society crumbled under their insidious control, a looming government conspiracy involving Big Tech lurked in the shadows.
Amidst this chaos, those who chose to opt out of the technological frenzy - preppers and naturalists - struggled to survive off-grid. They faced unimaginable challenges as the air became toxic and resources dwindled. While the mega-rich retreated into their virtual havens, medical assistance was scarce for those outside the network. The doomsday prophets and conspiracy theorists were proven right about imminent dangers and elite control, but their beliefs were twisted and exploited by those in power to manipulate and divert attention away from the true perpetrators.
In this war-torn landscape, freedom of speech and censorship became powerful weapons wielded by all sides of the political spectrum. And those who controlled the flow of information held the most sway over society. As chaos reigned, fear and hatred became potent tools in a never-ending cycle of destruction. Meanwhile, people like me - master manipulators of human behaviour - thrived in this environment, using carefully placed diversions to distract from the truth.
The world had become a twisted reflection of its former self, tightly controlled by the insidious grip of Ultra-High. Their methods involved drugs and psychological reprogramming to erase entire populations' memories, turning them into mindless followers. Families were torn apart, with loved ones either being removed or revealed to be digitized replicas. The network behind Ultra-High fed on this chaos, expanding their control over the globe until they eventually disconnected themselves from the rest of humanity. The once beautiful world had become a bleak and desolate place, with the majority of its population willingly submitting to servitude under the control of big tech companies. They found solace in a fabricated reality that shielded them from the harsh truth of their dying world, while those in power continued to manipulate and exploit their subjects for their gain.
As the tech giants gained more power, they used it to silence any who dared to resist their reign. Buildings loomed high, adorned with sleek glass and steel, emblazoned with the logos of these dominant corporations. Governments colluded with them, covering up their involvement and allowing for a rise in corruption and conspiracy theories. But these so-called "leaks" were nothing more than carefully crafted distractions, designed to keep the public searching for answers while the truth remained buried deep within layers of deceit.
In a society full of biased news outlets, corrupt politicians with slick suits and sharp rhetoric, and unethical practices hidden behind polished facades, people turned to their devices as a means of escape. The allure of virtual reality with its promise of temporary happiness was too great to ignore, even if it meant turning a blind eye to the harsh reality that surrounded them. And in this sea of ignorance, individuals relinquished all responsibility and became mere pawns in a larger game of deception and control, lost in a world where screens served as windows to an alternate reality - one that was becoming increasingly difficult to distinguish from the actuality of their lives.
---
This graphic novel is a true cyberpunk mentalist fiction created with a dialogue between low life (the writer) and high tech (the Ai), it is an ongoing dialogue that will grow and change over time.
This is a live book series writing/story art, graphic novel cyberpunk, and dystopian fantasy project. Written by Sam I Am Artwork by Kling Ai directed by Sam I Am. Copyright is protected. It is a first rough draft work in progress so will change over time. This project is part of the SleeplessDystopian.com writing projects.
You can also follow this work on substack. and the devil died screaming - a cyberpunk graphic novel
