"I believe that studying the 'Palace of Mind Memory Method', a theory that cannot be proven nor refuted, lacks significance..." Hugo puts down his book, looks at Brand opposite him, and continues, "Doctor Brand, you share this view, don't you?"
"If you're referring to the paper released by Schiller, then I am sorry to say, my research field is pathology. For psychological theory, you should have the discussion with him directly."
However, it seemed as if Hugo did not understand Brand's refusal to discuss further, and he continues regardless: "'Palace of Mind Memory Method', I tentatively consider it a memory technique. It is a variant of spatial mnemonics, involving people creating a building in their minds with memories, then categorizing and storing their memories inside..."
"Of course, human memory can be categorized, sorted, and inductively understood. But to go as far as to erect a physical building in our minds, to store memories for convenient retrieval like walking into a library, is overstated. Or, it is merely a fanciful idea about the supremacy."
"The human brain is not a storage device made of machinery. 'Forgetting' is an important component of the brain, and it is the brain's self-protection mechanism."
"If one really were to establish a library in their mind, it would imply that they have effectively nullified the function of forgetting. If that were the case, then the capacity for information storage and real-time computational ability in their brain would undoubtedly exceed the limits physically bearable..."
"Moreover, no one can confirm its existence. Even if you were to open the skull, remove the brain, you still wouldn't be able to discern whether there's such a construction in the consciousness space."
As Brand continued writing medical records, he said, "You also cannot prove otherwise. You can't deny those who claim to possess such a skill that they indeed have superior memory."
"As I said, I acknowledge that it is a memory technique. It may indeed be used like filing, collating scattered memories, and cataloguing them well. But it does not go as overboard as some papers claim, to erect an enormous edifice storing uncountable information, retrievable at any moment..."
"What's even more ridiculous is that some claim living creatures or physical manifestations of personalities can exist in the palace of mind. They can even communicate with each other. This is utterly nonsensical..."
Hugo spoke in a calm, organized manner. He adjusted his glasses and said, looking at the book in his hand, "It appears that our Professor Rodriguez is quite enamored by it."
"However, people are always interested in concepts resembling fantasy novels. If you further exaggerate the concept, make it sound more intriguing, you will definitely sell more books."
"Frankly, academically speaking, such a theory can't hold up. Perhaps exceptional geniuses could potentially accomplish this, but such individuals are scarce within the human race, so insignificant in statistical terms that they hold no research value."
Hugo sets the book down again. With a muffled thud as the book hit the table, he continued, "Perhaps Professor Shearer is one in a billion genius. I wonder if he can find his peers in his lifetime, to put his fantastical theory into practice, offer evidence, maintain his academic standing…"
Brand caught the sarcasm in Hugo's tone but offered no rebuttal, only silently continuing with his medical records.
Having his views not affirmed or even responded to did not deter Hugo from speaking freely. After all, at his previous appointment, he wasn't popular, few were willing to converse with him, even fewer professionals in the same field.
Hugo didn't mind at all that Brand stayed silent, merely playing the listener. He continued, "Compared to such an unrealistic theory, 'emotions' which are more externalized and observable, hold more research value."
"In fact, my current research topic is the emotional amplification theory. I believe our emotions strongly display familial characteristics. Once systematized and amplified through certain measures, they can achieve many things…"
"Mind Reading Technique is also based on this theory. People's intense emotions generate a certain brainwave. When these waves intertwine, true mind-reading might be achieved."
"Perhaps more can be achieved, even entering another person's brain, controlling their thoughts…"
Hugo's speech becomes increasingly excited. It's evident how confident he is in this theory.
This is not just a figment of Hugo's imagination. Setting him apart from other psychologists, he also possesses professional knowledge in mechanics, as a physicist and biologist.
The ways Hugo supports his theories isn't limited to writing papers or conducting theoretical research. He is operationally capable of conducting biomechanical dissections and designs.
Hugo in his eagerness to validate his theories, carried out countless ruthless and unlawful experiments, the details of which need not be mentioned, but indeed, he achieved some results.
However, right when he needed it the most, these unethical experiments were exposed, and he was dismissed from his post, leading him here.
After arriving in Gotham, Hugo is more motivated, as it's a lawless place. More importantly, Shearer Rodriguez, someone highly renowned, prestigious, and reputable in academia is here too.
Hugo's and Schiller's research direction can't be said to be diametrically opposed. Some specific areas are even conflicting.
One of Schiller's most outstanding papers in recent years remains to be on his research on the Palace of Memory. In this paper, he elaborately explicated the concept, extending it to various branches, almost turning it into a unique discipline owned solely by him.
Previously, nobody had completely fleshed out this theory in such a logical and coherent manner, and it's been circulated among professionals in recent years. It was proposed as the future course for psychology, yet Hugo brushed it aside with disdain.
Shearer's research focused on how humans can delve deeper into their own consciousness and thinking, how to effectively control their own brain. However, Hugo's study was precisely the opposite. He was interested in the connection between brains, particularly in how someone can explore and manipulate another's brain.
Of course, Hugo believed that his theory would be the future direction for human development. More importantly, if he could successfully master this technology and manipulate others' brains at will, was there anything in the world he couldn't accomplish?
Driven by ambition for various reasons, Hugo's research enthusiasm was mounting. However, the first problem he had to face was that he needed test subjects.
Since he was now a doctor at Arkham Mental Hospital, what could be better test subjects than patients?
Shearer didn't hand over work to Hugo when he left. There really wasn't much to hand over because there practically weren't any patients with mental illness here.
After learning that the hospital was mainly populated by mob bosses, their family members, and lovers, Hugo didn't act rashly. He knew that using this crowd as test subjects might lead him back to his prior predicament: being discovered and then hunted down.
Hugo believed that it would be prudent to perfect his technology first before taking further action.
But he did inherit medical records, diagnostics, and schedules from Shearer. Among these documents, Hugo discovered that while there was a dearth of genuine psychiatric patients in the hospital, there were still a few special cases in Shearer's records.
The first case Hugo came across was about Cobblepot, and it was also the one that interested him the most.
A juvenile mind, not fully mature and with psychological defenses quite fragile, was a great target. Moreover, according to the medical records, Cobblepot was diagnosed with schizoid personality disorder. This meant that he had a mental disorder, and if Hugo's experiments on him led to dire consequences, they could be blamed on his existing mental condition.
So Hugo arranged a follow-up appointment with Cobblepot over the phone. Cobblepot, still unaware of Shearer's departure, thought it was just a colleague making the call.
When he realized that Hugo would treat him, he didn't think much about it, assuming that Doctor Shearer was simply understaffed and had engaged a friend to fill in.
His condition had been improving recently, so he didn't feel a routine check-up needed much attention. Cobblepot thought this until he saw Hugo wheel out an odd-looking machine from the prep room.
The machine had an egg-like shape with a row of circular indicator lights on its surface.
"What is this?" Cobblepot asked him.
"This is a new type of therapeutic device," Hugo told Cobblepot, "It's normal that you haven't seen it, because it's currently the most advanced mental health treatment equipment in the world. There isn't a second one like it, even on the entire East Coast."
Cobblepot narrowed his eyes, but Hugo paid no mind to his skepticism and continued, "Don't worry about it, you don't need to touch it and I won't use it to do anything to you. It's simply placed beside you, so there's no need for you to feel anxious..."
"Alright, up next, let's first do a simple hypnosis test..."
Cobblepot's frown deepened, "Doctor Shearer never did any hypnosis test on me..."
"I've checked your medical records," Hugo picked up a medical history book from the side, "I mean no disrespect to Professor Rodriguez, but it's evident from it that he lacks significant experience in the research of adolescent psychology, which happens to be my forte."
"Don't worry, I'll keep my distance and so will this machine. All you have to do is sit in the chair and imagine according to my words. I promise this will be quick, less than 10 minutes."
After saying this, Hugo pressed a button on the bizarre-looking device. When the indicator lights on it began to flash, Cobblepot slowly closed his eyes, while Hugo moved to the side of the machine and pulled out a few connecting tubes with patches attached, sticking them onto his own head, one by one.
As the humming of the machine grew louder, Cobblepot's frown deepened. An invisible force emerged above the room, and the brainwaves of both Cobblepot and Hugo were amplified and began to gradually merge.
Falling down into blackness from consciousness, then, amidst a burst of white light, Hugo found himself inside Cobblepot's mind.
He wasn't too surprised, as this was something he could do before. However, now, his research had taken a step forward.
Before Hugo could make any other moves, he let out a puzzled, "...huh???"