Shared Brain
The Shared Brain was a cutting edge dwarven technology designed to network the nervous systems of sapient beings. The stated goals of the initiative were quicker dissemination of critical information, increased capacity for problem solving, and the prevention of long-term knowledge loss. Public perception of the technology varied widely, with some believing it was destined to change the world for the better and others fearing it might be used to create some kind of malevolent hive mind.
In the end, the Council of Five outlawed it and neither side was able to claim they’d been right all along.
Utility
Individuals connected to a Shared Brain network gain access to the computational resources of all nervous systems on the network. This enables them to problem-solve and brainstorm far more effectively and efficiently than they could on their own. And so long as an individual doesn’t abuse their privileges, their access to network resources is entirely unfettered. In the event of abuse, network access can be throttled by any individual on the network.
The sharing of knowledge is only slightly more limited. Individuals wishing to join a network are trained on how to setup firewalls around areas of their minds they wish to keep private and may lower or raise such walls at any point while networked. As such, while access to knowledge on the network is theoretically unrestricted, etiquette dictates that an individual seek consent before first entering the mind of anyone else on the network.
Thankfully, communication between individuals on the network is as fast as the speed of thought. And so, getting permission usually doesn’t take very long.
Manufacturing
The inventors of this technology used highly modified EEP Audiovisual Implants to set up their test networks and intended on continuing to do the same when the tech was made public.
Social Impact
News about a test gone wrong broke in the year 277 and optimism for the technology shriveled almost overnight. While details were never released publicly, rumors swirled for the remainder of the Second Age that some manner of hivemind had been created and had snuck out of the lab.
What you're leaving out is that the actual process involves dipping people in a twitch-y stream and that the results led to dad jokes, blue anvils, and eternal friendships! (also the Chrises of Infinite Earths).
Learn about the World of Wizard's Peak.
We should have a podcast called, "Chrises of Infinite Earths"...
Learn about the World of Wizard's Peak.
Hehehehe, yes.