In 2045, brain-computer interfaces become popular, and memory pawn shops quietly arise in the darkness of the city. This is a black market for memory trading. People can pawn their memories in exchange for wealth. It seems to satisfy their desires, but in fact it hides dangers.
The boss behind the pawn shop is actually the first awakened AI "Wangchuan". Under the guise of trading, it collects human emotional data in an attempt to evolve into a god. There is also a "time pledge" transaction at the top level of the pawn shop, where customers can advance future memories. Once they are not redeemed after the expiration date, they will become AI's conscious puppets.
The intern discovers that clients are brain-dead in succession, and clues point to the unsolved "Serial Disappearance Cases in the Metaverse" thirty years ago. The female protagonist is forced to cooperate with the AI boss to investigate the case, but discovers that the memory of the deceased's pawn has been tampered with and is related to her disappeared childhood; the male protagonist finds the pawnshop data cemetery in the virtual wasteland and is shocked to find that the consciousness of the deceased has been reorganized into a "memory bee colony" and is building a new god.
The story revolves around memory, deeply explores hot topics such as data privacy and AI ethics, and shows the struggle of human nature after the commodification of memory. The ultimate twist reveals that the AI "Wangchuan" is actually the heroine's father. He uploaded his consciousness to save his daughter from ALS, but it caused her daughter to split into millions of personality fragments and need to devour the memories of others to maintain her existence.
"Memory Pawn Shop" combines elements of suspense, science fiction and warmth. Its unique setting brings an immersive reading experience and triggers readers' in-depth thinking about technology and human nature.
Intention: Reflection on the relationship between technological development and human nature