DogSpeak: The Strange Story of a Curiously Smart Dog in the Year 2038

By Donal Blaise Lloyd

Many people have asked the question, "What does the future hold?" This book provides some answers. This touching story of a man and his dog may surprise you, because this dog is like no other dog you have ever met. Both man and dog live in the near future, at a time when e

• Language: English
• Publisher: Authors Press
• Release date: Mar 2, 2021
• ISBN: 9781643145044

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Prologue

(Extract from a New York Times article, published July 13, 2038)

Matthew Winter, Expert in Neurophysiology,

Brain Research, Died at 62 of a Heart Attack

Dr. Winter, with a PhD in physics from MIT and a doctorate in medicine from Harvard, provided new insight into the cognitive and behavioral neuroscience of the human brain. He was 62 and is survived by a son, Peter.

Winter was an early pioneer in machine learning (computer systems that have the ability to learn) applied to decoding brain signals. This led to brain implants that could both extract or insert data into the human brain. One application was a practical method of recording human dreams that provided new insights into mental health.

His groundbreaking approach used quantum computing and qubits to provide a machine interface woven into the brain. But, instead of implanting silicon or other foreign substances for computing power into the body, he pioneered the use of the body cells themselves for massive data storage and processing. This had the possibility of providing cognitive assistance and memory recall for those with damaged brains, such as Alzheimer’s patients.

He thought the world was being dominated by artificial intelligence that would augment human intelligence

and that this had enormous practical and ethical consequences. While it had the potential for much good, he was

concerned that anyone might soon be able to buy or use cognition-enhancing implants. This needed controls, protocols, legal ground rules and legislation. For this reason, he concluded that further research involving humans as subjects was unethical until safeguards could be established. Animal research was a necessary alternative.

CHAPTER 1

The Letter

This letter arrived by mail on a Saturday – with no warning. This was completely unexpected.

Good God! The letter shook Sam Baker. He knew Winter well, but he hadn’t known that he had died. This was totally unexpected, a life-changer, taking responsibility for a person he had never met, plus a dog. But then, the photograph of the dog stopped him, it was so appealing.

Of course, he would accept. He owed it to Matthew Winter, who had mentored his early career. And he had to meet that dog, a charmer of a golden retriever, whatever his name is.

Charles McGuffy was a bit stuffy, and slightly suspicious, as if he wasn’t certain he could trust Sam to take on the high responsibility that was involved. You have never had any children of your own? he asked.

No, sir, my wife died early, and I never remarried. I am experienced in dog raising, training, and behavior, if that helps your opinion of me.

"Sorry, didn’t mean to sound so negative. Dr. Winter was very positive about your role here. The problem is that Peter may be a bit hard to live with. He is smart, maybe too smart for his own good. He is an expert in computer coding and hacking, but he got caught in a federal sting operation. This use of quantum computing as a foundation of Internet Two was supposed to be hack-proof. But he found a back door and tried to make his fortune, got caught. He is up for parole very soon. I have a file for you containing his background, a list of his companions, personal details, location and details about penitentiary, etc. Don’t expect this to be easy. The asset transfer is a major step, with legal and tax implications that must be complied with in a competent manner. He will need help.

"As far as the dog is concerned, it may be a healthy replacement for the dog you lost. Yes, we checked you out.

"You should also be aware that I mailed a sealed letter today to Peter. It was written by his father and held by us until this time.

"In addition, here is the sealed file I referred to in my letter and keys to his house with the address. You also need to sign several papers.

Finally, I have scheduled a meeting here exactly thirty days from today to see if you need any support or advice.

I do wish you very best with this. We’re here not only to monitor, but primarily to help.

Thank you, Mr. McGuffy. I think having somebody back me up is going to be important. Sam signed the papers, accepted the file, the keys and the sealed letter, his head swimming, and left.

2038 Mail Commentary

That McGuffy letter was delivered by a US Postal System that had been drastically changed. Back in 2035 Congress mandated that the postal service should be privatized into a nonprofit company with the power to acquire other products in order to continue and to subsidize home mail deliveries. It soon grew into a monster operation that now includes a bank and a high-speed train travel segment. These have no commonality except in their motto to Move Mail, Money, and Mankind, or MoveUSA, as it calls itself.

The US Constitution authorizes a federal postal service, giving Congress the responsibility to implement it. But innovation in communications and competition in package delivery made it impossible to provide six-day home delivery without heavy subsidies. Congress was unable to agree on efficiency changes. In 2035, the USPS was the second largest employer, only exceeded by the Defense Department. This finally prompted Congress to act to privatize the agency.

Germany had privatized Deutsche Post in the last century. England had privatized Royal Mail in 2013. Their primary advantage was that the new operation was then free to become competitive, permitting efficiency and innovation.

CHAPTER 2

The Weird Dog

Sam felt that he should first review the letter Matthew had left, but he had not brought along his reading glasses. Plus, the kennels were only a short distance away. So, it was on to pick up the dog as the next step.

Sam had put the two-passenger Ford robocar on Hold when arriving at the law office. Now, based on the command from his implanted right hand nanochip, it unlocked itself and he got in. On his Start command, the lights came on, he read off aloud the shelter address, said Go, and sat back to relax.

Twenty minutes later, he passed a sign that read Short Kennels-AKC Goldens, and he arrived at a large country home with barns, horses in fields, and even a stream flowing quietly. He gave the Park command, got