This moves a bit into (my) fantasy. Or maybe a bit into what, a decade or two ago, would have been science fiction. The fun part though is all of the individual pieces here exist right now. Today. All it would take is for someone to put them together.
The last couple posts were about altering perceptions in more or less the digital realm through some simple text manipulations - either by changing what you type or what is displayed. Wouldn't it be more fun to take that into the real world, where it's possible to do so much more? Stripping away a couple more pieces of self and dignity.
The core of this is a kigurumi mask. This mask in particular isn't really meant to transform your identity, but to remove it entirely. Your personhood is sublimated, controlled, and perhaps even physically locked away.
Now most masks have slits or holes for the eyes so you can see what's around you. But thankfully we have technology! Why not have screens in front of your eyes instead? Cameras can show you what's there if that's what's permitted. Imagine your vision being turned on or off with the press of a button. And take it further. We have the output of machine learning models at our disposal. If you weren't permitted to look at someone's face, the mask readily detects that and shows you something else instead. Through Bluetooth, GPS, and beacons your vision could be limited by location (idea for another time: restraint-less bondage).
Hearing is just as easy to restrict. Through some wireless earbuds with active noise canceling, there wouldn't be a sound that you could hear without it being allowed. Perhaps a hypnosis audio is perpetually looping. Or maybe you don't hear anything at all until someone addresses you like they would Siri when giving a voice command.
There's no reason to stop there either. We've been working on technology that integrates microphones with muzzles. Ostensibly it's so people can talk privately in a public setting. But it's actually perfect for the mask. After all, why should people hear *your* voice? The mic can pick it up instead and you can be made to sound more appropriately. With the press of a button you'll be made to sound like a drone; with another press your words simply become barking or mewing noises; or maybe you'll just be put on mute. Beyond how the words are heard, even what words are allowed could be controlled. Perhaps only predetermined phrases are allowed to be spoken. Or through a combination of AI and sentiment analysis, your tone could be adjusted on the fly. No need to worry, you'll be told what to say. And soon enough you'll even think that way without prompting.
