Now Later Dismiss

This story was first published in a narrative form at The Atlantic, under the title "An Augmented Reality". It was initially pitched as a story about the question of morality under tech and the fluidity of principles in an age in which our digital assistants constantly prompt us to prioritize profit. Below is a version of the story as it was first written: a series of UI prompts from a pair of augmented-reality glasses designed to aid a pharmaceuticals representative in meeting her sales goals.

>> Updating…
>> Updating…
>> Update complete. Please restart to initiate Pharmanalysis v 8.5 for DataPoint View Glasses.

>> Restarting in
> 8
> 7
> 6
> 5
> 4
> 3

>> *Welcome to DataPoint v 8.5. Please enter your PIN to log on: _____

>> PIN incorrect.

> Try Again?
> Reset PIN?

>> *Welcome to DataPoint v 8.5. Please enter your PIN to log on: _____

>>  PIN incorrect.

> Try Again?
> Reset PIN?

>> *Welcome to DataPoint v 8.5. Please enter your PIN to log on: _____

>> Welcome, DENISE. The time is 10:33 AM.

> Reminder: Conference call, subj: review GALVANYL pitch
> Reminder: Pick up GALVANYL samples from Dan
> Reminder: Prep numbers for performance evaluation
> Reminder: 10:30 AM DR. TOB

>> Tutorial for Pharmanalysis v 8.5 for DataPoint View Glasses features: SalesProblem Route Guidance, First Response Emergency Prompts, Pembridge Analytics DataShare Push Notifications, Pembridge Analytics Prescription Rate Calculator, Powersaver 8.5, PitchPrompt Cloud Service, Rep Time Tracker Module.

> NOW
> LATER
> DISMISS

>> Reminder: 10:30 AM DR. TOBIAS BOOTE

>> Activate Permissions for Pharmanalysis v 8.5 for DataPoint View Glasses features: SalesProblem Route Guidance, First Response Emergency Prompts, Pembridge Analytics DataShare Push Notifications, Pembridge Analytics Prescription Rate Calculator, Powersaver 8.5, PitchPrompt Cloud Service, Rep Time Tracker Module. These features need access to: Location, Messages, Calendar, Camera, Bluetooth, Media, Microphone

> Allow all
> Manual installation

>> SalesProblem Route Guidance ALERT

> Open
> Snooze

>>SalesProblem Route Guidance please select mode of transportation

> Driving
> Biking
> Walking
> Public Transportation

>> Rep Time Tracker Module ALERT

> Open
> Mute notifications

>>Rep Time Tracker Module Hello DENISE you are currently 04:45 minutes late for appointment with DR. TOBIAS BOOTEN RHEUMATOLOGY DEPT OAKMOUND MEDICAL PARK

> DISMISS

>> Reminder: 10:30 AM DR. TOBIAS BOOTEN RHEUMATOLOGY DEPT OAKMOUND MEDICAL PARK
> Please proceed along highlighted route

>> Rep Time Tracker Module ALERT

> Open
> Mute notifications

>>Rep Time Tracker Module Hello DENISE you are currently 05:35 minutes late for appointment with DR. TOBIAS BOOTEN RHEUMATOLOGY DEPT OAKMOUND MEDICAL PARK

> DISMISS

>> You’ve arrived!

> Dismiss route guidance
> Add a new destination

>> Pembridge Analytics DataShare Activated.

>> Center your lead’s face in the circle.
>> Lead not identified. Center your lead’s face in the circle.
>> Lead not identified. Center your lead’s face in the circle. Tutorial for Pembridge Analytics DataShare for Pharmanalysis v8.5?

> NOW
> LATER
> DISMISS

>> Lead not identif

>> Lead identified: DR. TOBIAS BOOTEN
>> Display Pembridge Analytics Datashare Sales Markers?

> NOW
> DISMISS

>> Lead identified: DR. TOBIAS BOOTEN
> 68 years old
> Specialty Rheumatologist
> Prescription rate 68%
> Divorced / two children / one grandchild
> Interests GOLF / WORLD WAR II EUROPEAN THEATER / GARDENING / TRAVEL

>> Pitchprompt Cloud Service Push Notification: Display GALVANYL pitch prompts?

> NOW
> LATER
> DISMISS

>> GALVANYL is an exciting new solution for managing the discomfort associated with

>> FIRST RESPONSE ALERT
>> DR. TOBIAS BOOTEN appears to be suffering from RESPIRATORY/CARDIAC DISTRESS. Initiate First Responder prompt protocol?

> NOW
> LATER
> DISMISS

>> Select calendar display preference

> Left lens
> Right lens
> Dual-lens display

>> Appointments:
> 10:30 AM DR. TOBIAS BOOTEN RHEUMATOLOGY DEPT OAKMOUND MEDICAL PARK

> Dismiss

> 12:00 PM DR. ALANDRA M

>> FIRST RESPONSE ALERT push notification

> Open

>> Device cannot be powered down with pending FIRST RESPONSE ALERT push notification

>> FIRST RESPONSE ALERT push notification

> Open

>> FIRST RESPONSE ALERT
>> DR. TOBIAS BOOTEN appears to be suffering from RESPIRATORY/CARDIAC DISTRESS. Initiate First Responder prompt protocol?

> NOW
> LATER
> DISMISS

>> Appointments:

> 12:00 PM DR. ALAND

>> FIRST RESPONSE ALERT

>> DR. TOBIAS BOOTEN appears to be suffering from ACUTE RESPIRATORY/CARDIAC DISTRESS. Initiate First Responder prompt protocol

> NOW
> LATER
> DISMISS

>> Settings
> Apps

>> Settings
> FIRST RESPONSE ALERT cannot be deleted from Apps (err 9.675).

>> Appointments:
>> 12:00 PM DR. ALANDRA MEA

>> FIRST RESPONSE ALERT

> DR. TOBIAS BOOTEN appears to be suffering from SEVERE ACUTE RESPIRATORY/CARDIAC DISTRESS. Initiate First Responder prompt protocol?

> NOW
> LATER
> DISMISS

>> FIRST RESPONSE ALERT
> Place hands on DR. TOBIAS BOOTEN’s jaw and tilt forward

>> FIRST RESPONSE ALERT cannot be dismissed while First Responder prompt protocol is in use

> Center DR. TOBIAS BOOTEN’s airway within the circle

> DR. TOBIAS BOOTEN’s airway appears to be clear. Place fingers in the highlighted a

>> FIRST RESPONSE ALERT cannot be dismissed while First Responder prompt protocol is in use

> Place fingers in the highlighted areas. Does DR. TOBIAS BOOTEN have a pulse?

>Select Y / N

>> FIRST RESPONSE ALERT cannot be dismissed while First Responder prompt protocol is in use

>> CALENDAR cannot be opened while First Responder Prompt protocol is in use

> Place hands within yellow outlines.

> Place hands within yellow outlines.

> Place hands within yellow outl

> Compress DR. TOBIAS BOOTEN’s chest each time your lenses flash yellow.

> ! FIRST RESPONSE ALERT tip: DR. TOBIAS BOOTEN’s chest will make a crackling sound when compressed adequately.

>> FIRST RESPONSE ALERT Paramedics will arrive in 04:35 minutes.

>> FIRST RESPONSE ALERT cannot be dismissed while First Responder prompt protocol is in use. Continue compressions.

> Medical assistance will arrive in 04:07 minutes.

>> Reminder: 12:00 PM DR. ALANDRA MEACHAM TESSET HOSP

>> CALENDAR cannot be opened while First Responder Prompt protocol is in use.

> Medical assistance will arrive in 03:14 minutes.

>> CALENDAR cannot be opened while First Responder Prompt protocol is in use.

> Medical assistance will arrive in 04:50 minutes.

>> CALENDAR cannot be opened while First Responder Prompt protocol is in use.

> Medical assistance will arrive in 02:30 minutes.

>> Rep Time Tracker Module Hello DENISE you are currently 01:00 minutes late for appointment with DR. ALANDRA MEACHAM TESSET HOSP

> DISMISS

>> CALENDAR cannot be opened while First Responder Prompt protocol is in use.

> Medical assistance will arrive in 00:15 minutes.

>> FIRST RESPONSE ALERT enter medic PIN to dismiss: ____

>> Your medic is AMANI. Thank you for using FIRST RESPONSE ALERT.

>> Welcome, DENISE. The time is 12:48 PM.
> Reminder: 12:00 PM DR. ALANDRA MEACHAM TESSET HOSP
> Distance 37 minutes

> Reminder: 1:45 PM DR. ORSON HODGE TESSET HOSP
> Distance 37 minutes

>> Reminder: 7:30 PM call subj: Performance review with J.Q.
> Tap for dial-in information

>> Rep Time Tracker Module Hello DENISE you are currently 1:14:00 minutes late for appointment with DR. ALANDRA MEACHAM TESSET HOSP

> DISMISS

>> FIRST RESPONSE ALERT update: AMANI has recorded a cardiac rhythm for DR. TOBIAS BOOTEN. Track route to TESSET HOSP?

> TRACK
> RIDE ALONG
> DISMISS

>> FIRST RESPONSE ALERT update: you and AMANI have arrived at TESSET HOSP. Please follow the highlighted route to EMERGENCY DEPT.

> DISMISS GUIDANCE

>> Rep Time Tracker Module Hello DENISE you are currently 01:14:00 minutes late for appointment with DR. ALANDRA MEACHAM TESSET HOSP

> DISMISS

>> Center your lead’s face in the circle.
>> Lead not identified. Center your lead’s face in the circle.
>> DR. ORSON HODGE
> 38 years old
> Geriatric Medicine Department Head, Tesset Hospital
> Prescription rate 28%
> Single / Avg relationship 2-3 weeks / no children
> Interests STOCK MARKET / CROSSFIT / LIFESTYLE BLOGS

>> Display GALVANYL pitch prompts?

> NOW
> LATER
> DISMISS

>> GALVANYL is an exciting new solution for managing the discomfort associated with arthritis, gout, and related inflammation. Unlike the leading competitors, GALVANYL has shown no risk of addiction in clinical trials
> ! Pembridge Analytics DataShare Reminder: Do not reference FDA, FDA APPROVAL, FDA PROCESS, FDA

>> Just 50mg of GALVANYL on a daily basis has been proven to

>> FIRST RESPONSE ALERT update: DR. TOBIAS BOOTEN stable condition TESSET HOSP ICU

> Dismiss
> Mute updates on DR. TOBIAS BOOTEN

>> Center your lead’s face in the circle.
>> Lead not identified. Center your lead’s face in the circle.
>> Center your lead’s face in the circle.

>> DR. TOBIAS BOOTEN
> 68 years old
> Specialty Rheumatologist
> Prescription rate 68%
> Divorced / two children / one grandchild
> Interests MEDICAL / RECOVERY / END-OF-LIFE PLANNING

>> Display GALVANYL pitch prompts?

> NOW
> LATER
> DISMISS

>> GALVANYL is an exciting new solution for managing the discomfort associated with arthritis, gout, and related inflammation.
> ! Pembridge Analytics DataShare Reminder: Offer water.

If you haven’t already, I hope you’ll consider subscribing to this newsletter.

—Gailey