The vidiot

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

78057

Title

The vidiot

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

In a 1950s television studio, ambitious technician Don Hartley accidentally fuses a camera circuit, creating a device that sees through walls and obstacles. Realizing the revolutionary potential of his invention, he attempts to keep it secret, only to find the world transformed by an all-seeing surveillance network that has erased privacy and freedom.

Summary up to 500 words

Set in a futuristic 1950s television studio, *The Vidiot* by Ib Melchior follows Don Hartley, a talented but undervalued video technician known as a 'vidiot.' While experimenting with a complex camera setup for a live space opera, Don accidentally drops a paper clip into a matting amplifier, fusing its connections. This accident creates a miraculous effect: the camera can now pick up images from any location, regardless of physical barriers like walls or backdrops. Don realizes he has invented the 'Hartleycam,' a device capable of seeing anywhere on Earth instantly. Don dreams of revolutionizing entertainment, news, and exploration, envisioning himself as a wealthy inventor with a closely guarded secret. However, his ambition clashes with the corporate reality of his employment contract, which claims ownership of his inventions. As he contemplates selling the technology to major corporations or the government, the narrative shifts into a dystopian nightmare. In this vision, Don is forced to surrender the camera to a ruthless regime represented by a publisher and mysterious agents in black uniforms with silver 'H' insignias. In this alternate reality, privacy is dead, and the population lives under constant, oppressive surveillance. Returning to reality, Don faces a critical choice: return the camera to his employer, sell it to exploit it, or destroy it to save the world's remaining freedoms. The story concludes with his boss, Barnes, forgiving Don's earlier panic and giving him a second chance. Barnes notes that the world is simply not yet ready for such a powerful device, leaving the Hartleycam's fate uncertain but its potential dangers acknowledged.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

Download URL

https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/78057.epub.noimages

Local file path

data/epubs/pg78057.epub

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Categories

• Short Stories
• Science Fiction
• Fiction -- Inventions
• Fiction -- Television
• Fiction -- Cameras