by Carl Andrew
Leon continued firing questions at Jennifer, delving into further details of the research, what they were measuring as well as the size and make-up of the research team among other topics.
Eventually, Vanessa intervened: “Leon, I’m conscious of the time. We’ve probably got enough for one last question. Ok?”
Leon thought for a moment and said: “Sure, I'm really interested to understand the relationship between the Institute and The Department for Social Behaviour. Can you tell me how the funding works and how the two organisations work together?”
Vanessa jumped in to respond: “Sure, the Institute is funded out of the Department of Social Behaviour. It'll be on public record how much that funding amounts to so I'm happy to disclose that it’s £25 million annually.”
Jennifer then intervened: “It’s important to understand that I run the Institute including deciding the direction it takes, how the funding is utilised and how results are shared.”
“I meet with Minister Brooks once a month to report on research activities and at the end of each year; I’ll present the projects we aim to work on for the following year as well as how the funding will be spent.”
“Ok, thank you. That’s really interesting. I’m keen to put something on the site by about 3pm. Does that work with your timeframe?” Leon suggested.
“Yes, sure. As long as you got what you needed and understand our situation. We appreciate you taking the time to meet with us. I’ll monitor the blog with interest. Thanks again Leon,” Vanessa concluded, standing up to shake hands with Leon and Abby before showing them to the exit.
Going through the clear security barrier to leave the building, Leon turned to Abby and said: “Wow. That was a bit intense.”
Abby smiled and they strode outside to face a cold winter afternoon together.
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An hour later - Finsbury Park, London
Leon was itching to get started. He hadn’t even shut the front door properly before he had his laptop out and assumed his writing position at the desk by the window.
Abby closed the door, walked to the kitchen and got a glass of water. She walked over to Leon and placed the drink next to him. He didn’t even notice.
He started typing…
Social Behaviour Research Uses Prisoners for Live Trials
The Day Today has discovered in the last hour that the research project being undertaken by the Institute of Behavioural Science on behalf of the Department of Social Behaviour is using prisoners as part of its process.
The prisoners, who are being guarded 24/7, are staying at the Institute to undergo tests to measure their reaction to specified scenarios.
In an interview with Dr Jennifer Hopwood this afternoon it was revealed that each prisoner has been offered a 10 per cent reduction in their sentences for taking part in the experiments.
While assurances were given that these prisoners were serving time for low level crimes, the news is sure to cause uproar among the voting public who are already dealing with violence on UK streets that has reached unprecedented levels.
This latest incident will undoubtedly also bring back bitter memories of four years ago when ten people lost their lives while taking part in a scientific experimentation.
According to Dr Hopwood, the use of the live cases, as they are referred to, is essential in order to progress the research project that the Government hopes will eventually lead to a long term solution to the anti-social behaviour issue.
However, when pressed for a date when the policy details of the solution will be announced, Dr Hopwood was non-committal leaving the public still none the wiser to when a long term solution will be in place.
Dr Hopwood said: “I understand there will be a level of uncertainty among the public about the use of prisoners in this research project but we have taken every precaution to ensure there will be no adverse effect on the individuals concerned or the everyday lives of the general public.”
Dr Hopwood went on to say that the research results had been encouraging to date however could not provide specifics on the next steps for the project.
The Institute of Behavioural Science currently receives £25 million from the Department of Social Behaviour but Dr Hopwood insists that interference from Minister Brooks and his team is minimal and that she controls the direction the Institute takes.
It will be interesting to see the reaction from what will surely be a shocked public to this news and also a response from the Prime Minister whose leadership will once again be called into question.
As ever, if you have any thoughts on this story, please leave your comments below or email us at [email protected]
Leon proofed the article and showed it to Abby out of courtesy. It was about her mum so he felt obliged to do so.
She placed a hand on his shoulder as she leant down to read the article.
“I don’t think you could have written it any other way Leon. Looks good to me,” she said.
He pressed to publish and the article was released to his audience.
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Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire
Sebastian read the blog post with frustration.
“They’ve shafted us,” he said.
“They knew we had something and they made sure they took control of the news before we had a chance to do anything with it.”
“It’s all bloody useless now, bastards.”
He was furious. Essentially, he had traversed from excitement and adulation at obtaining the project file from the Institute of Behavioural Science down to anger and embarrassment that he could now do nothing with it.
He threw the file on to the ground and held his head in his hands. His audience barely moved a muscle, uncertain what to do.
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10 Downing Street, London
The media frenzy surrounding The Day Today article had reached fever pitch as rumours and conjecture took over from fact and detail.
The Prime Minister’s Office had sent out an invitation for an urgent press conference and the day’s events had ensured it was well attended.
David Lawson stepped up to the podium to a slowly hushing mass of media.
“Ladies and Gentlemen of the press, thank you for joining me today on what has been a day of retrospection for my team and I.”
“The news that you will surely all be familiar with by now has cast a dark shadow over my Prime Ministership.”
“I accept the public anger at what my Government has done and I have to take ultimate responsibility, particularly with the tragic incidents from the last time humans were used in such trials still fresh in many people’s minds.”
“What I do want to state is that we made a decision based on what we felt was the right thing to do.”
“The challenges we face to get this country back to the way we know the majority of the public desires, are great. To deal with them, there are decisions any Government is going to have to make that will appear unsavoury.”
“However, I can’t apologise as I truly believe that the option we have taken is the right one in order to find a solution.”
“So, I stand here before you a humble man. I can do nothing more than offer my understanding to anyone who feels betrayed or concerned by our actions.”
David paused a moment. Silence filled the air. He took a long deep breath, looked down at his feet and then faced the crowd again.
“I also offer my resignation if it is chosen to be accepted by my party. Thank you.”
David walked off the stage after dropping the bombshell. He ignored questions as he made his way to the safety of the house.
The media screamed after him, a thousand words a second, all questions, all unrequited.
Then, after a few minutes, stunned, they left. They had stories to write. Their minds clouded by a maelstrom of thoughts. This was hu
ge.
Chapter 19:
The next day - House of Parliament, London
The newspapers were filled with speculation, conjecture, opinion and everything in between as the shockwaves from the previous day’s press conference were emanating around the country.
Senior Ministers had spoken out to the media in support of the Prime Minister, all orchestrated by Vanessa Lim and her plan to show a Government who was together, united.
The opposition tried to make a bigger issue out of the story but they had very little to back up their criticisms. The experience the public had from the previous Government was still relatively fresh and not easily forgotten.
A newspaper opinion poll showed public opinion was in favour of the Prime Minister remaining in power with 65% support. It was a reduction from previous opinion polls but still a heavy majority.
Influential thought leaders were interviewed on current affairs programmes and, on the whole, were echoing public sentiment. This was a forgivable issue. The popular feeling was that the Prime Minister should remain.
As the day went on, it became clear that a vote of no confidence in Parliament would not be forthcoming.
Vanessa had spent the day in the Prime Ministers’ office firefighting as required and calling on support with proactivity.
“So, I’ll have to concede it was a good call to offer your resignation David. It looks like we’ve come through this relatively unscathed,” she said.
“It would appear so, our first big Prime Ministerial crisis. I think we can be very satisfied with our work,” David responded with a wry smile.
“Now, we just need that scientist of yours to achieve with the research so we can formulate a policy and start the rebuilding process,” he said.
“I’m onto it,” Vanessa replied.
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Finsbury Park, London
Leon followed the news coverage throughout the day. He felt obliged to seeing as he broke the story. When he managed to get to his true feelings and cut through all the baggage following the tip off and interview yesterday, he realised, he actually wanted this result. He wanted the Prime Minister to remain.
The Day Today had also carried out an opinion poll but added further context by requesting commentary instead of just a yes or no response.
Leon reviewed the feedback and started typing a new post:
Public stands by their man as PM survives
Following the dramatic news yesterday leaving the Prime Ministers’ future hanging in the balance, the public has spoken today in favour of retaining the Government status quo.
As expected, the Government wheeled out a conveyor belt of senior Ministers and political commentators to show support for the Prime Minister and this view has been echoed by the public.
A poll conducted on The Day Today website has shown that 69% of respondents were keen to keep Prime Minister Lawson in power.
Delving deeper into the opinions of the public, the poll requested commentary to understand the mood of the nation, and received numerous responses:
Brenda from Solihull: “I don’t think the Prime Minister should resign. There will be a lot of ill feeling but sometimes you have to do things that some people don’t like for the greater good.”
Jim from Rochdale: “Its science ain’t it (sic). Besides, they’re prisoners. Not like they done any good in life. If it stops all the trouble out there then I’m for it.”
Greg from Exeter: “I think he should resign. I, for one, am sick of politicians lying to the public. It has to stop. They have to be held accountable for their actions.”
Sonja from Brighton: “I believe in our Prime Minister. We need to find a solution to the violence. As long as no harm comes to the prisoners, I can’t see a problem. I don’t think he should resign.”
Sohail from Cardiff: “Yep, he should stay. He’s not the first Prime Minister to be caught out. He stood up and took responsibility, credit to him.”
These were just a selection of comments emphasising the public reaction to the news we broke yesterday. You can read all of the responses by clicking through to the link at the top of this post.
It appears that the Prime Minister and his Government have dodged a bullet this time, but you can be certain he won’t have many more chances.
Thank you to everyone who gave their thoughts and voted in our poll. For any other comments and opinions on this article and the others in this blog, please email: [email protected]
Leon went through the usual process of proofreading and correcting mistakes before clicking to publish.
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End of January - Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire
The Institute of Behavioural Science had been the 24/7 for pretty much everyone on the project, with few reacquainting themselves with their real homes.
The team had been running through the research data for weeks now but they didn’t feel any closer to a solution.
Jennifer was becoming increasingly anxious and her colleagues were increasingly keeping their distance.
They had identified a number of commonalities within the data but linking that to managing a change of behaviour in their test cases was proving a bridge too far.
The issue lay with manipulating brain patterns to initiate a response. Pretty soon, it became clear that engendering change was not going to happen.
The team started focusing on measurement instead, to try and identify a way to predict bad behaviour or at least provide a warning sign to show people that a negative act was imminent.
Jennifer had arranged a project update meeting but wasn’t really sure how to address it before it was finally upon her. She felt hugely underprepared as she walked to the room to speak to the team.
“Hi everyone thanks for coming along. I have to admit that I am at a bit of a crossroads. I wanted to meet but the purpose has been unclear to me. I’ve been left scratching my head,” she opted for honesty as the best policy.
She paused at that point and was greeted by silence, the usual response from a team of scientists.
“I’m not sure where we go to from here. For perhaps the first time in my life, I have a deliverable that I can’t meet. I would be interested to hear any suggestions from you.”
Again, she was largely speaking into a vortex. A few minor shuffles as people in the room rearranged themselves uncomfortably in their seats, but nothing verbal was forthcoming.
Then, a saviour spoke up. He was a small man with a blondish ginger beard and a head that, in some parts, hadn’t seen hair for a few years.
He had been working with Jennifer on the last few research projects but she knew nothing more about him other than his name was Simon.
“We’ve been working on some ways to record behaviour and measure thought process but our challenge is to identify a way to make whatever we produce fit into the lives of ordinary people,” his was a timid voice that gradually gained in confidence as he heard himself talk.
“Go on,” Jennifer said, encouragingly.
“We noted, through a variety of calculations, that to make our solution appear acceptable, it would have to be universal.”
“You see, we know that behaviour is both instinctive but also reactive. If you believe someone sees you as different and treats you in such a way, you will react to that perception,” he was talking with much more authority now.
“The issue being that the solutions we’ve identified are all socially unacceptable. No one will feel comfortable wearing a device on their person. Also, how do we show a warning to others that the person they are near is about to act badly?”
“You can’t exactly make them wear a light that shines when they’re about to do something negative. It won’t work the same way a collar on a dog gives a tiny shock when they’re about to bark.”
“So,” Jennifer said jumping in… “What you’re saying is that we almost need to find something
that is internal?”
“Not almost, Dr Hopwood,” he said. “But absolutely internal hidden discreet.”
“But that doesn’t overcome the issue of how to make others aware when the internal solution has measured bad behaviour,” Jennifer said.
“Therein lies our problem,” he responded.
“Ok then, we have our next focus. Find me a way to externally capture a warning from an internal device in a socially acceptable way. Thank you everyone.” With that, Jennifer adjourned the meeting.
She waited until everyone had cleared the room before allowing herself a little smile. Hers was a very long tunnel but at last there was a flicker of light she could just about make out.
Jennifer walked back to her office feeling slightly more optimistic than she did an hour ago.
Closing the door behind her, she lifted the lid on her laptop bringing the device to life. Her desk was a hotchpotch of papers, mugs, pens and general clutter.
She stared at the mess and realised it resembled a typical scientist’s desk.
Averting her gaze back to the screen, she saw the new email icon displayed proudly in the bottom right hand corner. She opened up her Outlook inbox and saw a random unread email from, weirdly, ‘Next Steps’.
The subject line read ‘Heard the one about the dissolvable digital pill?’
Curiosity got the better of her and she clicked to open the email. It was such a strange subject line, she couldn’t resist.
Scanning the content, she couldn’t believe her eyes. It talked about a new technology that enabled a pill to contain a computer chip that is ingested and used to record changes to the body to measure a person’s medication intake.
It then beams this information to a patch on the skin that transmits the data to a mobile phone application.