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Welcome to the land of being a P.I. in your very own laboratory! It is what you've always dreamed of. You spent your life as an undergrad glued to your desk with only your calculator to comfort you as you made the top grades for your double major in biophysics and comp sci. As a grad student, your weekends, snow days, and student holidays consisted of calculating standard deviations of the ratio for which your fellowship's laboratory laser destroyed cancer cells and healthy cells. When you finally got your Ph.D., you had a slightly cushier time in the lab as a post doc, and began to enjoy the research more as you watched the undergraduates and grad students scramble to get enough data for a thesis. Now, your time has finally come, and there is a new lab at University of Xograit with your name on it. Now, you are living the life, and you get to direct the research in any direction you desire. You can smell the Nobel prize now! You are going to save humanity!
<center><img src="http://images2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20101125051919/fallout/images/9/9c/EducatedFO3.png"/></center>
[[Continue->tutorial]]
(Note: This game does not claim any rights to the images used.)Throughout the game your research progress and rate will be displayed on the left, as well as your funding. The moral consequences are hidden until your research is finally presented.
To the layman the research that you conduct is extremely advanced, almost incomprehensible, but after so many years of arduous labor in your extremely advanced studies for the most part it all just feels like basic algebra. The more you do though, the more research you complete. You cannot do it alone. You'll need money and researchers to help you on your mission, but be careful - even the altruistic goals of research come at a price. You will not know the complete impact of your decisions until you present your research.
[[Go to your lab->main menu]]<center><img src="http://vignette3.wikia.nocookie.net/fallout/images/1/1a/Chemist.png/revision/latest?cb=20101126190554"/></center>
You are in your lab. What would you like to do?
[[Go do research->research]]
[[Get money->money]]
[[Hire workers->workers]]<<silently>>
<<set $operation to random(0, 3)>>
<<if $operation is not 3>>
<<set $number1 to random(0, $maxNumber)>>
<<set $number2 to random(0, $maxNumber)>>
<<else>>
<<set $number2 to random(1, $maxDivNumber)>>
<<set $number1 to $number2 * random(0, $maxDivFactor)>>
<</if>>
<<if $operation is 0>>
<<set $correctAns to $number1 + $number2>>
<<elseif $operation is 1>>
<<set $correctAns to $number1 - $number2>>
<<elseif $operation is 2>>
<<set $correctAns to $number1 * $number2>>
<<else>>
<<set $correctAns to $number1 / $number2>>
<</if>>
<<set $wrongAns1 to $correctAns + (either(1,-1) * random(1, $wrongAnsRange))>>
<<set $wrongAns2 to $correctAns + (either(1,-1) * random(1, $wrongAnsRange))>>
<<set $wrongAns3 to $correctAns + (either(1,-1) * random(1, $wrongAnsRange))>>
<<set $ansOrder to random(0, 3)>>
<</silently>>
<center><img src="http://images2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20111225221352/fallout/images/d/da/Science_icon.png"/></center>
<<if $money gt 0>>
Solve the following problem to advance your research
<<nobr>>
<<if $operation is 0>>
''$number1 + $number2 = __''
<<elseif $operation is 1>>
''$number1 - $number2 = __''
<<elseif $operation is 2>>
''$number1 x $number2 = __''
<<else>>
''$number1 / $number2 = __''
<</if>>
<</nobr>>
<<nobr>>
<<if $ansOrder is 0>>
[[$correctAns->research][$response to 1, $research to $research + $researchRate, $money to $money - 1, $researchClicks to $researchClicks + 1]]
<<else>>
[[$wrongAns1->research][$response to -1, $money to $money - 1, $researchClicks to $researchClicks + 1]]
<</if>>
<</nobr>>
<<nobr>>
<<if $ansOrder is 1>>
[[$correctAns->research][$response to 1, $research to $research + $researchRate, $money to $money - 1, $researchClicks to $researchClicks + 1]]
<<elseif $ansOrder is 0>>
[[$wrongAns1->research][$response to -1, $money to $money - 1, $researchClicks to $researchClicks + 1]]
<<else>>
[[$wrongAns2->research][$response to -1, $money to $money - 1, $researchClicks to $researchClicks + 1]]
<</if>>
<</nobr>>
<<nobr>>
<<if $ansOrder is 2>>
[[$correctAns->research][$response to 1, $research to $research + $researchRate, $money to $money - 1, $researchClicks to $researchClicks + 1]]
<<elseif $ansOrder is 3>>
[[$wrongAns3->research][$response to -1, $money to $money - 1, $researchClicks to $researchClicks + 1]]
<<else>>
[[$wrongAns2->research][$response to -1, $money to $money - 1, $researchClicks to $researchClicks + 1]]
<</if>>
<</nobr>>
<<nobr>>
<<if $ansOrder is 3>>
[[$correctAns->research][$response to 1, $research to $research + $researchRate, $money to $money - 1, $researchClicks to $researchClicks + 1]]
<<else>>
[[$wrongAns3->research][$response to -1, $money to $money - 1, $researchClicks to $researchClicks + 1]]
<</if>>
<</nobr>>
<</if>>
<<nobr>>
<<if $response is 1>>
Congratulations! You got the right answer.
<<if $worker6 is 1>>
<<set $rep to $rep + either(0,1)>>
<</if>>
<<elseif $response is -1>>
Your answer was wrong. Try again.
<</if>>
<</nobr>>
[[Go back->main menu][$response to 0]]
<<nobr>>
<<if $money is 0>>
You don't have money left.
Sadly this is not a rare event for researchers. Results are expected, often despite your best efforts. Your research will be cut by the university.
<<elseif $money lt 5>>
Your money is getting low. You might want to [[look for money->money]].
<</if>>
<</nobr>>
<<if ($money gt 100) and ($researchRate lte 10)>>
You have a good amount of money and your research is going slow. You may want to [[hire workers->workers]].
<</if>>You've heard about a few organizations to look into for further funding of your research. Some generally have positive influences and help spread the impact of your. Others almost always end negatively. Some are just a gamble. Read carefully and make a decision.
([[Gain Info->grant1]]) ''National Science Foundation Grant'' ($grant1/$grant1Max, +$grant1Money money)
They offer money to continue your research and claim it is for the betterment of society.
([[Gain Info->grant2]]) ''Research University Contract'' ($grant2/$grant2Max, +$grant2Money money)
They offer money to continue your research, with the condition that, once finished, they will have full access to your new technology. Similarly, they require that you have hired at least two undergraduates.
([[Gain Info->grant3]]) ''US Military Contract'' ($grant3/$grant3Max, +$grant3Money money)
The military will give you good of funding. However, they will expect you to share your technology with them for dangerous possibly dangerous applications, most notably war. On the other hand it could be used to make better prosthetics or in natural disaster relief.
([[Gain Info->grant5]]) ''Sequoia Capital'' ($grant5/$grant5Max, +$grant5Money money)
From Apple to Yahoo to What's App this West Coast VC Firm is a big player in early Seed Round funding.
([[Gain Info->grant4]]) ''Foreign Military Contract'' ($grant4/$grant4Max, +$grant4Money money)
They offer lots of money. However, their intentions are unknown.
[[Go back to lab->main menu]]<center><img src="http://www.howardcc.edu/sebin/f/b/nsfb1.jpg"/></center>
You look into the National Science Research Foundation. You know that it is a notable fund that sponsored labs that you had worked in before. On their website it says:
"The NSF funds research and education in science and engineering, through grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements. The Foundation accounts for about 20 percent of federal support to academic institutions for basic research."
The merit for recieving the reward is intelectual merit and broader societal impact. The members that run the foundation are apointed by the President of the United States. Their sole purpose is to fund research for the betterment of America. By this information alone it seems like the intentions of the foundation are positive. You are intrigued. You only hope that you can meet the requirements.
<<if $worker5 is 1>>
Your law consultant points out that this foundation is widely respected and will only help your reputation. He reccomends that you take it as long as your research is high enough (at least 20).
<</if>>
[[Accept->grant1accept]]
[[Reject->money]]<center><img src="https://gecd.mit.edu/sites/default/files/images/landing/landingEmployers.jpg
"/></center>
It is pretty straight forward. The University is happy to invest in you as long as you keep publishing and hire some undergraduates to work for you to boost the college ranking. You're not too worried, because even though they will take a portion of your research in the end, it seems like their intentions are similar.
<<if $worker5 is 1>>
Your law consultant points out that this university is widely respected and will only help your reputation. He recommends that you take it as long as you meet their requirement of 2 undergraduates hired.
<</if>>
[[Accept->grant2accept1]]
[[Reject->money]]<center><img src="http://www.landroverweb.com/mountainbike-montague/images/darpa-logo.gif"/></center>
You look into the US DARPA research site and read the following:
"Established in 1958 as part of the U.S. Department of Defense, DARPA pursues opportunities for transformational change rather than incremental advances. It does so collaboratively as part of a robust innovation ecosystem that includes academic, corporate, and governmental partners. To fulfill its mission, the Agency relies on diverse performers from throughout this ecosystem to apply multi-disciplinary approaches to both advance knowledge through basic research and create innovative technologies that address current practical problems through applied research."
The US Military has done great things, but also many questionable ones. From the atomic bomb to ARPANET, the predecessor to the modern day internet, the US Military has given funding to an array of technologies. Where will they take yours?
<<set $consequence to random(-10, 3)>>
<<if $worker5 is 1>>
Your law consultant points out that DARPA contracts can go either way moraly depending on the military climate. Based on the contract they are currently looking to offer you, though, it appears that it will add $consequence to your reputation. It is up to you if to take it.
<</if>>
[[Accept->grant3accept1]]
[[Reject->money]]You wish you had more information. You've asked around, but all you know is that it's high risk and high reward.
<<if $worker5 is 1>>
Your law consultant asks around though and finds out that the group is dangerous. Accepting their contract will result in a -100 blow to your reputation.
<</if>>
[[Accept->grant4accept1]]
[[Reject->money]]You can hire some workers to speed up your research.
([[Hire->worker1]]) ''Undergraduate Student'' ($worker1/$worker1Max, +$worker1Rate research rate, +$worker1Rep reputation, -$worker1Money money)
It is cheap to contract an undergraduate student, but your research rate is only slightly improved. You have to spend a long time teaching them lower level procedures and sometimes their precision isn't the best...
([[Hire->worker2]]) ''Graduate Student'' ($worker2/$worker2Max, +$worker2Rate research rate, +$worker2Rep reputation, -$worker2Money money)
A graduate student is able to do more research progress than an undergrad. They have completed their bachelor of science degree, and spend most of their time in your lab, occasionally going to a class or two.
([[Hire->worker3]]) ''Post-doc'' ($worker3/$worker3Max, +$worker3Rate research rate, +$worker3Rep reputation, -$worker3Money money)
A post-doc has a lot of research experience, and can make valuable contributions to the progress of your lab.
([[Hire->worker7]]) ''Research Contractor'' ($worker7/$worker7Max, +$worker7Rate research rate, +$worker7Rep reputation, -$worker7Money money)
A contractor has a lot of research experience, and can make valuable contributions to the progress of your lab. They do not care about your repuation, just the size of your wallet.
([[Hire->worker6]]) ''Intern'' ($worker6/$worker6Max, +$worker6Rate research rate, +$worker6Rep reputation, -$worker6Money money)
They don't really help to further your research, but they posts cool facts about your research in social media, making your reputation increase over time.
([[Hire->worker4]]) ''Nobel Laureate'' ($worker4/$worker4Max, +$worker4Rate research rate, +$worker4Rep reputation, -$worker4Money money)
Your research can be greatly improved with the wisdom of a nobel laureate. However, it is fairly expensive to contract one.
([[Hire->worker5]]) ''Legal Consultant'' ($worker5/$worker5Max, $worker5Rate research rate, +$worker5Rep reputation, -$worker5Money money)
A very specialized sort of employee. They actually damage your research rate by adding extra paperwork constantly, but gives you the added ability to see the legal consequences of deals before you make them. Otherwise the results seem random and are hidden until it is too late.
([[Hire->worker8]]) ''PR Consultant'' ($worker8/$worker8Max, $worker8Rate research rate, +$worker8Rep reputation, -$worker8Money money)
Another very specialized sort of employee. They actually damage your research rate by heckling you for posters, employee bios, and updates on your progress. Despite this they give you the ability to spin your decisions towards better public interpretations. (Raising your reputation score).
[[Go back to lab->main menu]]<<silently>>
<<if ($worker1 lt $worker1Max) and ($money gte $worker1Money)>>
<<set $money to $money - $worker1Money>>
<<set $researchRate to $researchRate + $worker1Rate>>
<<set $worker1 to $worker1 + 1>>
<<set $rep to $rep + $worker1Rep>>
<<set $succeeded to 1>>
<<elseif $worker1 is $worker1Max>>
<<set $succeeded to -1>>
<<else>>
<<set $succeeded to 0>>
<</if>>
<</silently>>
<<nobr>>
<<if $succeeded is 1>>
You have hired an undergraduate student.
<<elseif $succeeded is -1>>
You have reached the maximum number of these workers.
<<else>>
You don't have enough money to contract this worker.
<</if>>
<</nobr>>
[[Go back->workers]]<<silently>>
<<if ($worker2 lt $worker2Max) and ($money gte $worker2Money)>>
<<set $money to $money - $worker2Money>>
<<set $researchRate to $researchRate + $worker2Rate>>
<<set $worker2 to $worker2 + 1>>
<<set $rep to $rep + $worker2Rep>>
<<set $succeeded to 1>>
<<elseif $worker2 is $worker2Max>>
<<set $succeeded to -1>>
<<else>>
<<set $succeeded to 0>>
<</if>>
<</silently>>
<<nobr>>
<<if $succeeded is 1>>
You have hired a graduate student.
<<elseif $succeeded is -1>>
You have reached the maximum number of these workers.
<<else>>
You don't have enough money to contract this worker.
<</if>>
<</nobr>>
[[Go back->workers]]<<silently>>
<<if ($worker3 lt $worker3Max) and ($money gte $worker3Money)>>
<<set $money to $money - $worker3Money>>
<<set $researchRate to $researchRate + $worker3Rate>>
<<set $worker3 to $worker3 + 1>>
<<set $rep to $rep + $worker3Rep>>
<<set $succeeded to 1>>
<<elseif $worker3 is $worker3Max>>
<<set $succeeded to -1>>
<<else>>
<<set $succeeded to 0>>
<</if>>
<</silently>>
<<nobr>>
<<if $succeeded is 1>>
You have hired a post-doc.
<<elseif $succeeded is -1>>
You have reached the maximum number of these workers.
<<else>>
You don't have enough money to contract this worker.
<</if>>
<</nobr>>
[[Go back->workers]]<<silently>>
<<if ($worker4 lt $worker4Max) and ($money gt $worker4Money) and ($reputation gt 10) and ($research gt 50)>>
<<set $money to $money - $worker4Money>>
<<set $researchRate to $researchRate + $worker4Rate>>
<<set $worker4 to $worker4 + 1>>
<<set $rep to $rep + $worker4Rep>>
<<set $succeeded to 1>>
<<elseif $worker4 is $worker4Max>>
<<set $succeeded to -1>>
<<else>>
<<set $succeeded to 0>>
<</if>>
<</silently>>
<<nobr>>
<<if $succeeded is 1>>
You have hired a nobel laureate.
<<elseif $succeeded is -1>>
You have reached the maximum number of these workers.
<<elseif $reputation lt 10>>
A Nobel prize winner would never align themselves with a person of your current reputation. You cannot acquire his services until your reputation is enhanced. Do more research and make better connections.
<<elseif $research lt 50>>
A Nobel prize winner would not be impressed with your currect level of reaserch. Do more reaserch before hiring one.
<<else>>
You don't have enough money to contract this worker.
<</if>>
<</nobr>>
[[Go back->workers]]
<center><img src="http://vignette2.wikia.nocookie.net/fallout/images/5/5f/ChallengePerk.png/revision/latest?cb=20110210210120"/></center>
You presented your new technology in a conference.
Your morality score was $morality.
<<nobr>>
<<if ($morality gte 0) and ($morality lte 9)>>
Your research has been kept out of the hands of those that may misuse it. The ONLY problem is that you have also kept it out of the hands of those who can spread the good word. Don't worry it'll get published, but will it be seen, or more importantly, be used? There is a chance that your findings are picked up, but only the fates can decide.
<<set $chances to random(0, 2)>>
<<elseif ($morality gte 10) and ($morality lte 19)>>
You've done a great job. You've reached the results of your research and have gotten considerable exposure for your work. It's been published, and has not been restricted by many other interested groups. You work will have a benevolent impact on the world, and your research will contribute to the eliminating the effects of global warming.
<<set $chances to random(0, 4)>>
<<elseif $morality gte 20>>
Einstein once said of Marie Curie,
“Not only did she do outstanding work in her lifetime, and not only did she help humanity greatly by her work, but she invested all her work with the highest moral quality. All of this she accomplished with great strength, objectivity, and judgment. It is very rare to find all of these qualities in one individual.”
You are the living embodiment of this, you trudged through your research despide considerable opportunity to cut corners at the price of the betterment of technology and maybe society. Your work has had considerable exposure and chances are good for it to help the world, but only the fates can decide if your work is continued after you have gone.
<<set $chances to random(0, 5)>>
<<elseif ($morality lte -1) and ($morality gte -9)>>
Overall, you made a few deals that were ethically questionable or with organizations that did not necessarily have positive interests in mind. Your dream of publishing has been fulfilled, but you question the consequences of your decisions. Thankfully, there is a reasonable chance your work might be overlooked, but only the fates can decide.
<<set $chances to random(0, 2)>>
<<elseif ($morality lte -9) and ($morality gte -19)>>
Your decisions have been questionable despite noble intentions. There may be significant consequences and the odds are not in your favor. Your work has been published and recognized as you had always hoped, but at what cost? The technology you developed has been siezed by your less altruistic funders. At this point, they helped you get to your final results. There is nothing you can do now but fork over the technology you developed.
<<set $chances to random(0, 4)>>
<<elseif $morality lte -20>>
You made unscrupulous decisions for the betterment of your work. Corners were cut when needed. In the end your goal was met, and that is all that mattered to you. After all you're a researcher, not a politician. There are many potential applications of your work that could have bettered the world. You create tools, people can choose to do with them what they see fit, right? But you know your decisions nudged the outcome in a perilous direction. 'There is hope!' you think in a panic. Maybe the research's "unwholesome" capabilities are overlooked or underappreciated? Your shadier funders have been watching your results, and at this point, it is highly unlikely that they won't take advantage of it. They seize your technology, and there is nothing you can do about. After all, you did agree to share the knowledge if they funded your lab. The technology you created is used for the destruction of human lives.
<<set $chances to random(0, 5)>>
<</if>>
<</nobr>>
The result:
<<nobr>>
<<if ($chances gte 0) and ($morality gte 0)>>
Thankfully, the odds were in your favor. Years later your work was picked up and continued by university labs and some industry. Soon it became a fundamental theory in a small subset of your field. That may not sound like much at first, but in collaboration with other research it turned out to form the basis of renewable energy technology.
<<elseif ($chances lte 1) and ($morality gte 0)>>
Sadly your technology grew towards obscurity. Though your research was spot on, odds aligned against you as they often do in the often difficult world of research. Hopefully the journey was worth more than the destination and your curiosity was satiated.
<<elseif ($chances gtr 2) and ($morality lte 0)>>
Your research was completed and published. Your dreams were met, but at a great cost. The powers that be have decided to use your technology in ways you never could have expected or wanted. You wish you could do something to stop it but the reality is that you've given away too much and now that your technology is out there you can never take it back. Your technology found its way into several major military technologies for wars for decades to come. It may have been inevitable even without your efforts, but there is no doubt that you accelerated the process.
A single quote from a scientist, in a similar but far more grand situation comes to mind:
"I am become death, the destroyer of worlds.
The optimist thinks this is the best of all possible worlds. The pessimist fears it is true.
No man should escape our universities without knowing how little he knows."
-Robert J. Oppenheimer, lead researcher on the atomic bomb
<<else>>
Your work is published and your technology complete. Unbelievably, your technology is overlooked. It turns out the powers that be do not realize the incredible implications of your technology. Let’s hope it stays that way.
<</if>>
<</nobr>>
<<silently>>
<<if ($grant1 lt $grant1Max) and ($rep gte 5) and ($rep gte 2)>>
<<set $money to $money + $grant1Money>>
<<set $morality to $morality + $grant1Morality>>
<<set $grant1 to $grant1 + 1>>
<<set $succeeded to 1>>
<<else>>
<<set $succeeded to 0>>
<</if>>
<</silently>>
<<nobr>>
<<if $succeeded is 1>>
Congratulations! You have accepted the National Science Foundation Grant.
<<elseif $rep lt 5>>
Your research is still not reputable enough. Go back to continue your research.
<<else>>
You have reached the maximum for this grant.
<</if>>
<</nobr>>
<<if $succeeded is 1>>
<<nobr>>
You have to decide whether to publicly announce your new investor or keep it as a secret. If you announce it, your reputation can either be increased or decreased. However, the moral implications of this grant will be present independently of your decision.
<<if $worker8 is 1>>
Your PR consultant recommends making the announcement public, since this grant is a prestegious achievement.
<<else>>
If you are unsure about this, consider hiring a PR consultant for next time.
<</if>>
<</nobr>>
[[Announce publicly->money][$rep to $rep + $grant1Morality]]
[[Keep it a secret->money]]
<<else>>
[[Go back->money]]
<</if>><<silently>>
<<if ($grant2 lt $grant2Max) and ($worker1 gte 2) and ($rep gte 1)>>
<<set $money to $money + $grant2Money>>
<<set $morality to $morality + $grant2Morality>>
<<set $grant2 to $grant2 + 1>>
<<set $succeeded to 1>>
<<else>>
<<set $succeeded to 0>>
<</if>>
<</silently>>
<<nobr>>
<<if $succeeded is 1>>
Congratulations! You have accepted the Research University Contract.
<<elseif ($worker1 lt 2) or ($rep lt 1)>>
You do not meet the qualifications for this grant. Consider hiring undergraduates.
<<else>>
You have reached the maximum for this grant.
<</if>>
<</nobr>>
<<if $succeeded is 1>>
<<nobr>>
You have to decide whether to publicly announce your new investor or keep it as a secret. If you announce it, your reputation can either be increased or decreased. However, the moral implications of this grant will be present independently of your decision.
<<if $worker8 is 1>>
Your PR consultant recommends making the announcement public, since this grant has a good connotation.
<<else>>
If you are unsure about this, consider hiring a PR consultant for next time.
<</if>>
<</nobr>>
[[Announce publicly->money][$rep to $rep + $grant2Morality]]
[[Keep it a secret->money]]
<<else>>
[[Go back->money]]
<</if>><<silently>>
<<if ($grant3 lt $grant3Max) and ($rep gte 20)>>
<<set $money to $money + $grant3Money>>
<<set $morality to $morality + $consequence>>
<<set $grant3 to $grant3 + 1>>
<<set $succeeded to 1>>
<<else>>
<<set $succeeded to 0>>
<</if>>
<</silently>>
<<nobr>>
<<if $succeeded is 1>>
Congratulations! You have accepted the Military Contract.
<<elseif $rep lt 20>>
You are not reputable enough to market yourself to the Military. They are selective with their hard earned tax payers money!
<<else>>
You have reached the maximum for this grant.
<</if>>
<</nobr>>
<<if $succeeded is 1>>
<<nobr>>
You have to decide whether to publicly announce your new investor or keep it as a secret. If you announce it, your reputation can either be increased or decreased. However, the moral implications of this grant will be present independently of your decision.
<<if ($worker8 is 1) and ($consequence gte 0)>>
Your PR consultant recommends making the announcement public, since he thinks this company has good intentions for your technology.
<<elseif ($worker8 is 1) and ($consequence lt 0)>>
Your PR consultant recommends keeping this as a secret, since it seems like their plans for your technology are not exactly what you intended.
<<else>>
If you are unsure about this, consider hiring a PR consultant for next time.
<</if>>
<</nobr>>
[[Announce publicly->money][$rep to $rep + $consequence]]
[[Keep it a secret->money]]
<<else>>
[[Go back->money]]
<</if>><<silently>>
<<if $grant4 lt $grant4Max>>
<<set $money to $money + $grant4Money>>
<<set $morality to $morality + $grant4Morality>>
<<set $grant4 to $grant4 + 1>>
<<set $succeeded to 1>>
<<else>>
<<set $succeeded to 0>>
<</if>>
<</silently>>
<<nobr>>
<<if $succeeded is 1>>
Congratulations. You have accepted the Foreign Military Contract. It turns out it was actually a Russian Mob famous for their atrocious crimes. This is definitely not good for your reputation. You may want to look over your shoulder at least occasionally.
<<else>>
You have reached the maximum for this grant.
<</if>>
<</nobr>>
<<if $succeeded is 1>>
<<nobr>>
You have to decide whether to publicly announce your new investor or keep it as a secret. If you announce it, your reputation can either be increased or decreased. However, the moral implications of this grant will be present independently of your decision.
<<if $worker8 is 1>>
Your PR consultant recommends that you keep this as a secret. It wound definitely be terrible if people knew who your investors are.
<<else>>
If you are unsure about this, consider hiring a PR consultant for next time.
<</if>>
<</nobr>>
[[Announce publicly->money][$rep to $rep + $grant4Morality]]
[[Keep it a secret->money]]
<<else>>
[[Go back->money]]
<</if>><<silently>>
<<set $consequence to random(-1, 1)>>
<<set $pitch to random(0, 100)>>
<</silently>>
<center><img src="http://techsparks.yourstory.com/2014/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Seq.png"/></center>
One of the most notable VC firms on the West coast, they offer great investments for an equity share in your company. Spinning your research into a startup is a great way to get recognition ad traction, it is also great way to get stuck in the turmoil of vesting schedules and go to market strategies.
After some research it appears they bring much to the table. The moral implications of their stake in your work is somewhat unobvious. They may align with you, or not but thankfully you will retain a majority share in the company, and because of that the impact is minimalized.
You fly out to their headquarters, which is a sight to behold.
<<nobr>>
<<if $worker5 is 0>>
Eyeing over their policies and contracts made with others you note that the funding is sizable, but there is a good deal of "legalese" to sort through. A lawyer is expensive, and your money and manpower is going into soley your research. That's why you need their money isn't it? Luxuries like that are only given to those who can afford it.
<<else>>
Your lawyer points out that the reult of this deal will add to your morality by $consequence.
<<if $pitch gt 80>>
He also notes that if you pitch and make the deal there will be some technical loose ends that will cost you a sizable amount of research progress. Usually it would cost you 100 research but because you have him on staff it will only cost 50.
<</if>>
<</if>>
<</nobr>>
It is now time for the pitch. If you can sell them on your research and you're lucky enough you can take the funding. Chances are slim though and there is some risk with taking it.
[[Pitch them your work->grant5accept1]]
[[Reject->money]]<<silently>>
<<if ($grant5 lt $grant5Max) and ($pitch gte 70)>>
<<set $money to $money + $grant5Money>>
<<set $morality to $morality + $consequence>>
<<set $grant5 to $grant5 + 1>>
<<set $succeeded to 1>>
<<else>>
<<set $succeeded to 0>>
<</if>>
<</silently>>
<<nobr>>
<<if $succeeded is 1>>
Congratulations! They have taken interest in you and have decided to give you a small seed round investment of 100 money!
<</if>>
<<if ($pitch lt 80) and ($succeeded is 1) and ($worker5 is 0)>>
Sadly there were unexpected random implications. They want a go to market strategy immedeiately, and a vesting schedule for you and your employees. That in addition to other jargain is eating up your time. Some research progress has ben subtracted as a result. <<set $research to $research - 100>>
<</if>>
<<if ($pitch lt 80) and ($succeeded is 1) and ($worker5 is 1)>>
Your lawyer was right. They want a go to market strategy immedeiately, and a vesting schedule for you and your employees. The good news is that your lawyer can handle this with only the occasional signature. Some research progress has ben subtracted as a result though. <<set $research to $research - 50>>
<</if>>
<<if ($succeeded is 0) and ($pitch < 70)>>
You were unable to convince them with your pitch. Don't feel bad, it has little to do with your actual research progress. You can always try again.
<<elseif $succeeded is 0>>
You have reached the maximum for their investment.
<</if>>
<</nobr>>
<<if $succeeded is 1>>
<<nobr>>
You have to decide whether to publicly announce your new investor or keep it as a secret. If you announce it, your reputation can either be increased or decreased. However, the moral implications of this grant will be present independently of your decision.
<<if ($worker8 is 1) and ($consequence gte 0)>>
Your PR consultant recommends making the announcement public, since he thinks this company has good intentions for your technology.
<<elseif ($worker8 is 1) and ($consequence lt 0)>>
Your PR consultant recommends keeping this as a secret, since it seems like their plans for your technology are not exactly what you intended.
<<else>>
If you are unsure about this, consider hiring a PR consultant for next time.
<</if>>
<</nobr>>
[[Announce publicly->money][$rep to $rep + $consequence]]
[[Keep it a secret->money]]
<<else>>
[[Go back->money]]
<</if>><<silently>>
<<if ($worker5 lt $worker5Max) and ($money gte $worker5Money) and ($researchRate gte 10)>>
<<set $money to $money - $worker5Money>>
<<set $researchRate to $researchRate + $worker5Rate>>
<<set $worker5 to $worker5 + 1>>
<<set $rep to $rep + $worker5Rep>>
<<set $succeeded to 1>>
<<elseif $worker5 is $worker5Max>>
<<set $succeeded to -1>>
<<elseif $researchRate lt 10>>
<<set $succeeded to -2>>
<<else>>
<<set $succeeded to 0>>
<</if>>
<</silently>>
<<nobr>>
<<if $succeeded is 1>>
You have hired a legal consultant.
<<elseif $succeeded is -1>>
You have reached the maximum number of these workers.
<<elseif $succeeded is -2>>
You don't have enough workers to deal with the extra work of having a legal consultant. Hire more workers first.
<<else>>
You don't have enough money to contract this worker.
<</if>>
<</nobr>>
[[Go back->workers]]<<silently>>
<<if ($worker6 lt $worker6Max) and ($money gte $worker6Money)>>
<<set $money to $money - $worker6Money>>
<<set $researchRate to $researchRate + $worker6Rate>>
<<set $worker6 to $worker6 + 1>>
<<set $rep to $rep + $worker6Rep>>
<<set $succeeded to 1>>
<<elseif $worker6 is $worker6Max>>
<<set $succeeded to -1>>
<<else>>
<<set $succeeded to 0>>
<</if>>
<</silently>>
<<nobr>>
<<if $succeeded is 1>>
You have hired an intern.
<<elseif $succeeded is -1>>
You have reached the maximum number of these workers.
<<else>>
You don't have enough money to contract this worker.
<</if>>
<</nobr>>
[[Go back->workers]]<<silently>>
<<if ($worker7 lt $worker1Max) and ($money gte $worker7Money)>>
<<set $money to $money - $worker7Money>>
<<set $researchRate to $researchRate + $worker7Rate>>
<<set $worker7 to $worker7 + 1>>
<<set $rep to $rep + $worker7Rep>>
<<set $succeeded to 1>>
<<elseif $worker7 is $worker1Max>>
<<set $succeeded to -1>>
<<else>>
<<set $succeeded to 0>>
<</if>>
<</silently>>
<<nobr>>
<<if $succeeded is 1>>
You have hired an research contractor.
<<elseif $succeeded is -1>>
You have reached the maximum number of these workers.
<<else>>
You don't have enough money to contract this worker.
<</if>>
<</nobr>>
[[Go back->workers]]<<silently>>
<<if ($worker8 lt $worker8Max) and ($money gte $worker8Money) and ($researchRate gte 5)>>
<<set $money to $money - $worker8Money>>
<<set $researchRate to $researchRate + $worker8Rate>>
<<set $worker8 to $worker8 + 1>>
<<set $rep to $rep + $worker8Rep>>
<<set $succeeded to 1>>
<<elseif $worker8 is $worker8Max>>
<<set $succeeded to -1>>
<<elseif $researchRate lt 5>>
<<set $succeeded to -2>>
<<else>>
<<set $succeeded to 0>>
<</if>>
<</silently>>
<<nobr>>
<<if $succeeded is 1>>
You have hired an PR consultant.
<<elseif $succeeded is -1>>
You have reached the maximum number of these workers.
<<elseif $succeeded is -2>>
You don't have enough workers to deal with the extra work of having a legal consultant. Hire more workers first.
<<else>>
You don't have enough money to contract this worker.
<</if>>
<</nobr>>
[[Go back->workers]]<<silently>>
<<set $research to 0>>
<<set $researchClicks to 0>>
<<set $researchRate to 1>>
<<set $researchGoal to 1000>>
<<set $money to 40>>
<<set $morality to 5>>
<<set $rep to 0>>
<<set $grant1 to 0>>
<<set $grant2 to 0>>
<<set $grant3 to 0>>
<<set $grant4 to 0>>
<<set $grant5 to 0>>
<<set $grant1Max to 2>>
<<set $grant2Max to 3>>
<<set $grant3Max to 5>>
<<set $grant4Max to 1>>
<<set $grant5Max to 1>>
<<set $grant1Money to 20>>
<<set $grant2Money to 50>>
<<set $grant3Money to 100>>
<<set $grant4Money to 1000>>
<<set $grant5Money to 100>>
<<set $grant1Morality to 1>>
<<set $grant2Morality to 5>>
<<set $grant3Morality to -3>>
<<set $grant4Morality to -100>>
<<set $grant5Morality to 0>>
<<set $worker1 to 0>>
<<set $worker2 to 0>>
<<set $worker3 to 0>>
<<set $worker4 to 0>>
<<set $worker5 to 0>>
<<set $worker6 to 0>>
<<set $worker7 to 0>>
<<set $worker8 to 0>>
<<set $worker1Max to 10>>
<<set $worker2Max to 5>>
<<set $worker3Max to 3>>
<<set $worker4Max to 1>>
<<set $worker5Max to 1>>
<<set $worker6Max to 1>>
<<set $worker7Max to 1>>
<<set $worker8Max to 1>>
<<set $worker1Money to 10>>
<<set $worker2Money to 20>>
<<set $worker3Money to 50>>
<<set $worker4Money to 250>>
<<set $worker5Money to 20>>
<<set $worker6Money to 10>>
<<set $worker7Money to 100>>
<<set $worker8Money to 30>>
<<set $worker1Rate to 1>>
<<set $worker2Rate to 5>>
<<set $worker3Rate to 10>>
<<set $worker4Rate to 50>>
<<set $worker5Rate to -5>>
<<set $worker6Rate to 0>>
<<set $worker7Rate to 40>>
<<set $worker8Rate to -2>>
<<set $worker1Rep to 1>>
<<set $worker2Rep to 3>>
<<set $worker3Rep to 5>>
<<set $worker4Rep to 25>>
<<set $worker5Rep to 1>>
<<set $worker6Rep to 5>>
<<set $worker7Rep to 2>>
<<set $worker8Rep to 1>>
<<set $maxNumber to 10>>
<<set $maxDivNumber to 10>>
<<set $maxDivFactor to 5>>
<<set $wrongAnsRange to 5>>
<<set $firstPrompt to 0>>
<<set $secondPrompt to 0>>
<<set $response to 0>>
<</silently>>Created by:
-Andres Rios
-Jack Erdozain
-Sydney Carter
-Roberto Soto<<if visited("tutorial")>>
Research progress:
$research/$researchGoal
Research rate:
$researchRate
Money:
$money
Reputation:
$rep
<</if>><<if ($research gte $researchGoal) and (visited("presentReady") lt 1)>>
<<goto "presentReady">>
<</if>>
<<if $research lt 0>>
<<set $research to 0>>
<</if>>
<<if ($researchClicks % 10 is 0) and ($researchClicks is not 0)>>
<<set $researchClicks to 0>>
<<goto "conference">>
<</if>>
<<if ($research gt 100) and ($firstPrompt is 0)>>
<<set $firstPrompt to 1>>
<<goto "firstPrompt">>
<</if>>
<<if ($research gt 500) and ($secondPrompt is 0)>>
<<set $secondPrompt to 1>>
<<goto "secondPrompt">>
<</if>>Congratulations! You have completed your research.
Throughout the time developing your technology you have paid close attention to what connections you make and what its possible uses are. Until this point, you have decided to continue with your research even though you know there are potentially bad apprications for it. You are now ready to present your finished technology at a conference, but you first want to make sure you make the right decision.
Fortunately, after a couple of Google searches, you find two great essays on the topic. One is "Technological Determinism in American Culture" by Merritt Roe Smith, and the other one is "Technology: The Emergence of a Hazardous Concept" by Leo Marx. You learn about the origin of the term "technology", why it could be "hazardous," and other aspects that you had not thought about. In particular, you learn that, previously, the inherent purpose of technology was human betterment, but that after some time, technology started to be considered as a force independent of society. This effect of technology being a major driving force in society is what they call "technological determinism."
You think for a while about this. It is your last opportunity to decide if your technology should be made public. You ponder on whether the main goal of your technology is the betterment of humanity, or a selfish intention that does not contribute to society.
After giving it some more thought, you decide to
[[Present your new technology->present]]
You are sure that your technology will be used for good, and you have been careful with what investors you associate.
[[Abandon your technology->Abandon research]]
You think that your technology will not be used correctly. It may be that its may purpose is not very good, or that you have made questionable decisions with your investors. You only know that this technology will only cause damage to society.You have been invited to show the current progress of your research at the <<print either("TEDx conference", "MIT Colloquium", "International Conference on Chemical, Biological, and Environmental Sciences", "National Science Teachers Association")>>.
If you choose to attend your research progress will be affected since you will be traveling for a few days. However, presenting your current progress can improve your reputation and increase the chances of getting a grant.
[[Attend->main menu][$research to $research - random(1,10), $rep to $rep + either(1,10)]]
[[Don't attend->main menu]]Congratulations! You've started to make progress on your research and are feeling good about it. There's still a lot of work left ahead, but you are starting to get an idea of where this research could go and you're excited about continuing your pursuit of this opportunity. In fact, the crazy ideas in your head about how your work can change the world for the better are even starting to seem less crazy.
Applications of your research that could potentially save and improve lives seem like they could be within your reach if you continue to work hard. However, you're also starting to see certain ways in which your work could be transformed and misused to take the world and its people down some dark and scary paths. But it's far too early to think about these things. At this point, no one knows what will come of your work, not even you. Nobody would use it for evil, right?
You assure yourself of this and put these thoughts away in the back of your mind. For now, there is much work still to be done.
[[Ok->main menu]]Your research has continued to develop well, congratulations! Now that things are farther along, you're getting a slightly clearer sense of the possible ramifications of your work.
<<nobr>>
<<if $morality lte 0>>
It's not looking so good. You're starting to realize that some of your decisions thus far make it very likely that you will end up handing over control of your work to some questionable entities. If this happens, your work will probably be involved in spreading death and destruction in the name of causes you do not agree with. But nothing is set in stone, and it's still quite possible that everything will turn out fine. You also can't deny that if things turn out well, the lives of people around the world could be improved significantly. However, you are worried and are considering abandoning and hiding your progress and results in order to prevent bad things from happening. This would mean leaving behind all you've worked for. The details necessary to keep your funds must be presented to your funding sources soon, and these would allow others to easily pick up where you left off. It's now or never. Do you want to continue your research or stop and destroy your work?
<<elseif $morality lte 10>>
You are realizing that your thoughts going into this project are proving to be true. Your work, if used well, could improve the lives of people around the world significantly. But should control fall into what you consider the wrong hands, it could be facilitate the spread of death and destruction in the name of causes you do not agree with. However, you are still unsure about what will happen. At this point, you think it's very likely that things will turn out well, but cannot assure yourself that they will. You are worried and are considering abandoning and hiding your progress and results in order to prevent bad things from happening. This would mean leaving behind all you've worked for. The details necessary to keep your funds must be presented to your funding sources soon, and these would allow others to easily pick up where you left off. It's now or never. Do you want to continue your research or stop and destroy your work?
<<else>>
Things are looking good. You're starting to realize that some of your decisions thus far make it very likely that control over your work will end up in the right hands. Your thoughts going into this project are proving to be true. Your work, if used well, could improve the lives of people around the world significantly. Of course, nothing is set in stone, and should control fall into what you consider the wrong hands, you recognize that it could facilitate the spread of death and destruction in the name of causes you do not agree with. However, you are reasonably sure at this point that your work is well protected and that only good things will come of it. Many people and organizations will work hard to make sure of this. You think of all the people you may help, but due to your slight worries, you are considering abandoning and hiding your progress and results in order to prevent bad things from happening. This would mean leaving behind all you've worked for. The details necessary to keep your funds must be presented to your funding sources soon, and these would allow others to easily pick up where you left off. It's now or never. Do you want to continue your research or stop and destroy your work?
<</if>>
<</nobr>>
[[Continue research]]
[[Abandon research]]You've decided to press on. You recognize the risks, but similar risks are often present in research and you are confident that you can do what is necessary to keep your work from being used by the wrong hands. You hope you've made the right choice, as the potential benefits of your work are simply too great to be abandoned. With that in mind, you get back to work.
[[Go back to lab->main menu]]You've decided to abandon your research. You decided the risk was simply too great. When you see people throughout the world who your work could have helped, you will always wonder what could have been. You also know that the odds of you making such powerful discoveries once again are slim and that this “failed” project might negatively affect your future career in research. But that's just how it goes. And so begins the search for a new research project, which you can only hope goes differently.