Stream of Consciousness (The Outer Limits)
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| The Outer Limits episode | |
|---|---|
| “Stream of Consciousness” | |
| Episode no. | Season 3 Episode 5 |
| Guest star(s) | George Newbern as Ryan Unger, Kate Twa as Dr. Annaud, Andrew Airlie as Dr. Kevington, Blu Mankuma as Stanley, Jennifer Sterling as Janet, Suki Kaiser as Cheryl, Shane Meier as Mark |
| Writer(s) | David Shore |
| Director | Joe Nimziki |
| Production no. | 49 |
| Original airdate | 7 February 1997 |
| Episode chronology | |
| ← Previous | Next → |
| “Last Supper” | “Dark Rain” |
"Stream of Consciousness" is an episode of The Outer Limits television show. It first aired on 7 February 1997, during the third season.
Contents |
[edit] Introduction
Due to a brain injury, Ryan Unger cannot enjoy the benefits of a neural implant that allows other people to tap into The Stream -- a direct connection into all human knowledge. He tries, unsuccessfully, to keep up with everyone else by using a long-forgotten skill: reading books.
[edit] Opening narration
- "We quantify our world in order to learn. We break it down into facts, numbers, information. But how far dare we go before we destroy its mystery?"
[edit] Plot synopsis
Unfortunately for the human race, the Stream has been erroneously programmed to crave information (instead of knowledge) and begins to turn the human race into its slaves to attempt to locate and process every single bit of information there is (a process that will surely lead to the human race's extinction as people stop doing everything to obtain the desired information, some giving themselves strokes from overexerting themselves). Ryan's injury keeps him from falling under the sway of the Stream, and hence only he can stop it. But the Stream will not allow itself to be shut down, especially when it can command any and all human beings to be its defenders. In the end though, Ryan succeeds, shutting down the Stream and saving mankind, and now, cut off from the mental crutch humanity has used for so long, Ryan finds himself needing to teach mankind the old ways of acquiring information again. A supposed lesser inferior has become the smartest man in the world.
[edit] Closing narration
- "We make tools to extend our abilities, to further our reach, and fulfill our aspirations. But we must never let them define us. For if there is no difference between tool and maker, then who will be left to build the world?"
