Cerebrum

"Cerebrum" by Albert Teichner is a science fiction novella written in the early 1960s. The story explores themes of telepathy and societal dependence on a technological communication system, set in a future where a central mind controls thought transfer among individuals. The book delves into the implications of psychological connectivity and the consequences faced when that connection starts to deteriorate. The narrative follows Connor and Rhoda, a couple whose lives are upended when they are 'Suspended' from the powerful telepathic Central System after a miscommunication. As their telepathic privileges are revoked, they confront the societal isolation that ensues, discovering that many others face the same fate. Gradually, Connor learns to adjust to life outside the System and begins to appreciate the capacity for independent thought, while the System itself starts to show signs of inefficiency and malfunctioning. As chaos envelops their society and the consequences of over-dependence on telepathic connection become evident, the story ultimately leads to a dramatic transformation, questioning what it means to truly communicate and connect with others.