The idea of this prototype is this: there are most likely several people you respect but can't speak to -- religious and political leaders, activists, writers, philosophers, scientists, artists. What if you could regularly consult these people about issues you face? What if your "board of directors" were close at hand? There are many stories of people going back in time and talking with famous people -- Gulliver did it, for example, in Gulliver's Travels.

You can imagine achieving a small portion of this effect by reminding yourself of some of the things people have said and relating them to the matter at hand. Why use a method like this? To step back and see a problem from another angle; to uncover assumptions; to open new pathways to solutions. Also, by referring to the words of people you respect, you remember what is important to you.

You could imagine a tool into which you could input texts written by (and about) a respected person to create a virtual character. You could also add image, sound and video material. You could then consult the material in several ways: by conversing with the character (the tool would attempt to match your questions to the material), by browsing categories of material, by viewing simple presentations as in the prototype above, and so on.

You could also imagine that people could send these characters to each other or develop them collaboratively, so that for example a corporation might have a collection of shared virtual advisors. Some of these might represent the founders of the corporation or other important individuals. The characters might also function to pass on stories that people new to the company might experience to understand the culture of the company.