Sentiment, Inc.

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"Sentiment, Inc." by Poul Anderson is a science fiction novel likely written during the early to mid-20th century. This speculative work delves into the realms of psychology and technology, exploring the manipulation of human emotions and relationships through a fictional machine capable of altering sentiments. The narrative navigates themes of love, power, and ethical dilemmas within a social context affected by technological advances. The story revolves around Colin Fraser, an engineer who becomes entangled in the life of Judy Harkness, a young actress manipulated by Dr. Robert Kennedy and his groundbreaking machine at Sentiment, Inc. After Judy abruptly announces her engagement to the wealthy Matthew Snyder, Fraser suspects that something nefarious is at play. He embarks on a quest to uncover the truth behind her transformation and the mysterious workings of Kennedy's device, discovering a web of emotional conditioning and subconscious influence that leads to profound moral implications. Fraser's journey culminates in a confrontation with Kennedy, where the stakes become personal and societal, paving the way for an intense resolution that questions the essence of free will and emotional authenticity.

Summary written by Project Gutenberg, by machine.