I was reading the Coast to Coast website, and there was a link in a forum to something called 'neurocam'. Being curious I followed the link, and found myself at a website with very little information on it. The only thing that seemed to be there was a list of things that neurocam is not, and a short quote:
Some of the most rewarding experiences we have come about through random circumstances of which we have no real understanding. It is sometimes important to commit to something we know very little about if the act of commitment in itself becomes part of an experience.Bridget Fischer
CEO, Neurocam International
Now, as any normal human would, I became curious. What is this site about? If it was on Coast to Coast, it must be something weird. So I signed up.
A few weeks later, I recieved an email:
Dear Applicant
Thank you for expressing interest in Neurocam.
Your application has been forwarded to a designated officer within the Human Resources Security Division so that our organization can further evaluate your suitability for recruitment.
In the interest of facilitating an expedient assessment, the Human Resources Security Division is currently implementing a series of background checks. We apologize in advance for the potentially intrusive nature of these checks and assure you that Neurocam International only undertakes this course of action in the interest of protecting our propriety operational procedures. Any information gathered from this historical evaluation will be treated as strictly confidential.
If your application is successful you will be contacted by Mr. Charles Hastings, Head of Neurocam International’s Operations Division. Mr. Hastings will further inform you about the nature of the tasks Neurocam requires you to complete.
An unsuccessful application will result in the cessation of all further correspondence between Neurocam and yourself.
Neurocam appreciates that, in 83.6% of instances, new applicants experience a desire to enquire about many issues which may further enlighten them as to the true nature of Neurocam. Due to the need to maintain a high level of operational security Neurocam is unable to provide much of the information desired by entry level participants.
We can, however, inform you of the following - Neurocam is a process which you are already part of.
Having said this, if you do have any questions, please feel free to contact me directly. I will endeavor to answer as many of your enquiries as Neurocam's Organizational Security Guidelines allow.
Thank you once again for expressing interest in Neurocam. I hope that your application will be successful and that I will soon have the pleasure of working with you.
Warm regards,
Maxwell Knight
Head, Human Resources Security Division
Neurocam International
maxwell.knight@neurocam.com
Now this was strange. Unable to provide details because of operational security? Neurocam is a process which I am already a part of? What?!
I really thought nothing of it, until yesterday another email showed up. This one seemed weirder then the first:
Dear Applicant
To conclude Neurocam’s application process ALL APPLICANTS are required to complete the following questionnaire and perception-based assessment.
An assessment of the applicant’s suitability for operational deployment will be made following the fulfillment of these non-negotiable pre-requisites.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
NEUROCAM QUESTIONNAIRE - NCI-1001/02
(Please include with perception assessment)
- How did you hear about Neurocam?
- What are your expectations of Neurocam?
- What is your lucky number?
- Do you instinctively turn left or right?
- Complete this sentence "Neurocam is..."
END NEUROCAM QUESTIONAIRE - NCI-1001/02
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APPLICANT PERCEPTION ASSESSMENT NCI-2001/01
(A) MISSION.
Assess applicant’s perception abilities.
(B) EXECUTION.
- Write a detailed account of everything that happens between 4pm and 9pm on Monday March 14, 2005. Pay particular attention to any occurrence which may be deemed "out of the ordinary". Include in your account two images that represent the best and worst things that happen on Monday March 14, 2005.
- Submit this report via email to operations@neurocam.com by close of business Friday March 18, 2005.
(C) OPERATIONAL SECURITY.
Not Applicable.
(D) GUIDELINES.
As with all Neurocam assignments, you will be assessed on the manner in which you complete this assignment.
Intelligence and creativity are traits highly valued by Neurocam and a demonstration of both of these will expedite your further advancement within the organization. Your application and aptitude in this assignment will be the basis for consideration for operational integration.
ENDS APPLICANT PERCEPTION ASSESSMENT NCI-2001/01
---------------------------------------------------------------------Regards,
Charles Hastings
Head, Operations Division
Neurocam International
operations@neurocam.com
Well, at this point curiousity overcame me, so I googled like mad. I found This page, which doesn't really say much, only adding to the mystery. I also found a guy who used Blogger to explain what happened to him. Read his account of the strange things that occured after he signed up. The part that seems strange to me was the part about him meeting the press:
"Are you with the media?" I asked
"Yes I am" He replied,
"Hi, my name’s Steve, I believe I’m s’posed to see you."Okay, so I didn’t think through exactly what I was going to say before the words left my mouth. Unfortunately I was also a tad hungover and the colours and noise were hurting me. Not the sharpest tool sometimes, a tool regardless.
Still, I got Dean’s attention, he immediately swung a camera in my face and started filming.
Him -"So have you met Shelly before?"
Me - "Umm, no I haven’t"
Him - "what do you think about the sale of human emotion as commodity."
Me - "I think it’s a good thing, if you’re selling it, sign me up."I’m sure he was more than disappointed with my answers but on two hours sleep and nervous as hell about what might be about to happen , a line of questioning was the last thing on my mind.
"So you said you’re name is Steve right?"
"Yes"
"Is there any reason other than Shelly for you being here today?"
"I believe I was to meet with you to obtain the second part of my assignment."Magic words, methinks.
"OK, follow me."
Ok so, what the hell? Do I actually write down what happens to me between 4pm and 9pm on Monday March 14, 2005, paying particular attention to any occurrence which may be deemed "out of the ordinary"? Or do I ignore it? I've read a few pages on the 'net where people have tried to convince others to stay away from neurocam. Is it too weird to be real? I'm so curious, but curiousity killed the cat...