Evoke

Movies, radio, television and more recently the internet each brought their own revolutions in communication, lifestyles and society. Current scientific research quietly hints at the next wave – the blending of computers with the human mind itself. Forget avatars and 3-D games, we're on the threshold of chips in our brains that will enable us to experience the lives of the rich and famous. It's coming, but are we ready? EVOKE is set in the very near future – where politicians still lust for power, people drive ordinary cars to ordinary work and eat fast-food. What's different is EVOKE – a newly available network providing not merely information or virtual reality, but a chance to become someone else for a while. With EVOKE we can finally be in an exotic relationship, win the Masters Golf Tournament, walk the catwalk in Paris or dine at the Four Seasons. If we can be anyone and do anything online, who are we in our real lives? More importantly – who controls what we experience and distributes access to the first chips? The characters provide an intimate look at social and political change through the eyes of people accessing EVOKE, as well as those on the outside – from the politicians who control it, to businessmen hot after its commercial potential, to ordinary people who struggle for meaning in their lives while facing unlimited pleasure. It's a chillingly realistic look into our future – our near future. Are you ready? Are any of us?

Movies, radio, television and more recently the internet each brought their own revolutions in communication, lifestyles and society. Current scientific research quietly hints at the next wave – the blending of computers with the human mind itself. Forget avatars and 3-D games, we're on the threshold of chips in our brains that will enable us to experience the lives of the rich and famous. It's coming, but are we ready? EVOKE is set in the very near future – where politicians still lust for power, people drive ordinary cars to ordinary work and eat fast-food. What's different is EVOKE – a newly available network providing not merely information or virtual reality, but a chance to become someone else for a while. With EVOKE we can finally be in an exotic relationship, win the Masters Golf Tournament, walk the catwalk in Paris or dine at the Four Seasons. If we can be anyone and do anything online, who are we in our real lives? More importantly – who controls what we experience and distributes access to the first chips? The characters provide an intimate look at social and political change through the eyes of people accessing EVOKE, as well as those on the outside – from the politicians who control it, to businessmen hot after its commercial potential, to ordinary people who struggle for meaning in their lives while facing unlimited pleasure. It's a chillingly realistic look into our future – our near future. Are you ready? Are any of us?

Jim Freeman's book portfolio includes: NOVELS * EVOKE – exploring the societal effects of technology in a fictional context of the near future * Letters from Ceilia – an intimate story of a career woman's struggle in a world run largely by men * The Island – situated in duck-hunting country where two strong men clash in a conflict over land NON-FICTION * The Dark Side of the Moon – five books of political and social commentary on America's recent history * Dick Cheney's Fingerprints – a collection of observations focusing on the Iraq war and its origins POETRY COLLECTIONS * The Smell of Tweed and Tobacco – poems spanning relationships and life in Prague * Corner of My Mind – a more introspective collection also discussing the writing process * Broken Pieces – a mosaic of reflections about nature, hunting, travel, politics and life DRAMA * The Island – a screenplay based on the novel * Colors – a one-act stage play, winner of 1999 Pennsylvania Playhouse competition Jim Freeman was born in Evanston, Illinois and now lives and writes in Prague. His work has been published in a number of newspapers, magazines and anthologies. His current political and social commentary is available at dark-side-of-the-moon. For other available formats and to contact Jim, see the author's website.