At the heart of much speculative fiction (and fiction in general) is a question. What if? On Tuesdays I like to throw one out there and see what you make of it. Do with it as you please. If a for-instance is not specified, feel free to interpret that instance as you wish. And if you find this becomes a novel-length answer, I'd appreciate a thank you in the acknowledgements.😉
Birgit's response to last week's question prompted this week's...
What if you gained the memories of a serial killer?
There are various sci-fi ways this could happen, such as uploading them to your brain via a computer of some sort. I'm not going to specify the how.
However, you are aware that these are not your memories, and you yourself are not altered in any way. These memories are in addition to what you have already experienced.
Assuming you did not have a choice in gaining these memories (happened via accident) or you voluntarily received them for some purpose (like as a psychiatrist studying behavior), what do you think you'd do with them? Do you think they would turn you into a killer? Might you take the lessons of the killer and use them for your own purposes?
I'd see if I could somehow figure out who the serial killer was and turn them in, unless they were already turned in. In which case, I think I would go crazy with these memories, I think it would be hard to live with them.
ReplyDeletebetty
Well lets examine this closely. A killers mind would be extremely chaotic or disciplined depending on a number of factors. Some are friendly and others are clinical which leads to various other scenarios which I know nothing about. Still I hope I never meet onefor such knowledge would conflict with the credo, logic is rare, crime is common.... therefore.....
ReplyDeleteI probably wouldn't like that. I have enough problems dealing with my own memories. The thoughts of a killer would leave me a total wreck.
ReplyDeleteThat would be awful! But, I would at least try to aid in catching and convicting the killer if that hadn't already been accomplished. This could be a good book!
ReplyDeleteHeather Erickson Author Writer Speaker
That is a good question. Do we know who this killer is? Depending on how the memories were acquired, could be or not...
DeleteI think I would be really disturbed. Not enough to kill, but enough to be off-kilter most of the time.
ReplyDeletePerhaps I would use those memories to write a best selling book series, that would then be purchased as a TV series...I see a lot of possibilities in this one. Alana ramblinwitham.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteYou'd have to change the particulars, or else you'd risk the authorities thinking you're the one guilty of the crimes...
DeleteI'd go work with the BAU and help them track down the bad guys with my new found knowledge :)
ReplyDeleteI'd think it would drive me crazy lol! I'd probably try to catch the killer with the help of the police
ReplyDeleteI hope it wouldn't drive you crazy...
DeleteI'd seriously have to wash my brain. My short story in the first IWSG anthology addressed some of these ideas, as the main characters is an innocent man locked on the other side of the mirror, forced to watch his psychopathic reflection killing time and time again.
ReplyDeleteI'd take those memories and write a thriller novel, of course!
ReplyDeleteThat could work.
DeleteThere are some really cool movies that cover this. "Momento" comes to mind, as does the spectacular science fiction film "Dark City". Cool thoughts, as always. Be well! Oh, and 'irksome' is the perfect word for a package undelivered for no good reason. :)
ReplyDeleteBut wasn't Memento all about loss of memory?
DeleteWell, thank you for saying I inspired the question today. I think I would use this knowledge to help the police. I don’t think I would become a killer if I keep my own thoughts and values so I would have to take this as a gift to help the police.
ReplyDeleteOh that would be so awful :( I don't kill any beings if I can help it so wouldn't use it that way that's for sure. Maybe to help catch the person if they hadn't been yet.
ReplyDelete