The Truth Machine: A Speculative Novel
by By Halperin, James L.
Category: Fiction , General

The pivotal election year of 2004 will determine more than the next president of the United States. Violent crime continues to be the number one political issue in America. For many citizens, a vote for Senator Travis Hall is also a vote for his controversial Swift and Sure Anti-Crime Bill, a measure that guarantees a previously convicted violent criminal one fair trial, one quick appeal, then immediate execution. Voters overwhelmingly support the idea, surrendering their individual rights and due process of law with a resounding "yes" for capital punishment.One of the most influential businessmen in the world, Harvard graduate and software prodigy Randall Armstrong, has one goal: to build a machine that can detect lies with 100 percent accuracy. But aside from assuring the guilt in death-row cases, the device has broad implications for a planet on a collision course with self-destruction.Once perfected, the Truth Machine changes the face of the world. Most lawyers find themselves looking for new, productive jobs as crime, violent behavior, and court cases are eliminated, virtually overnight. Individuals are truth-tested for civil litigation and mediation. Political candidates must be perfectly frank, no longer relying on popular opinion polls or harboring hidden agendas. Refusal to submit to the Truth Machine brands a politician un-electable. Through a series of simple questions, the Truth Machine can diagnose mental illness with astonishing success.As its use spreads from courtroom to politics, to diplomacy, business, science, education, and finally into every home throughout the world, the Truth Machine reshapes the very nature of humanity. But ultimately, the fate of the earth rests with humankind. Are we up to the challenge?