Category: Hidden forces
What shapes events from out of sight.
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![The Forbidden Question [1-page story]](https://adriancowderoy.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/The-Forbidden-Question-sqr-150x150.png)
The Forbidden Question [1-page story]
A closed meeting with the Head—a first for Evita. Impress him. One helpful statement would prove her. “You represent the students,” her department head explained and sent her to the far end of the meeting table. Brian’s eyes were small in a deeply bearded face, and his gaze rested entirely on the three close colleagues…
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![Cheating the system [1-page story]](https://adriancowderoy.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Cheating-the-system-150x150.png)
Cheating the system [1-page story]
The perfect AI job, at last—Maarisa figured. Her enthusiasm was met by an HR person with a stained tea mug and a frown: “Your CV is… unusual.”
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Sweet and Sour Chaos – escape from an intelligence agency to industry
An intelligence analyst tries to find a “purpose” after escaping from the “Agency” to industry. Konstantina must save her colleagues from disaster. … The story illustrates challenges of taking intelligence practices and adding them to project management in industry.
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Rehan Haque and Metatalent.ai – what makes an entrepreneur?
This is an account of the creation of Metatalent.ai and the emergence of its founder, Rehan Haque as an entrepreneur. It’s a true story, written by an insider.
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Drumhead Trial – an example, and 6 ways to fight it
“Drumhead Trial”. An intelligence researcher is accused of incompetence when investigative journalists outsmart him. The story shows the danger of being a scapegoat – in almost any job.
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Spy catcher rivals – using AI in counter intelligence
Spy catchers (counter-intelligence). An intelligence analyst competes against a researcher armed with AI. Who will catch the spy first?
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Too many presidents – how to protect data privacy rights
A young business analyst must confront her feared boss. The 3-page story covers data privacy rights in a large company, and snooping by intelligence agencies. The story also illustrates how to manage unknown-unknowns.
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The Poltergeist – an intrusive surveillance example
Poltergeist! The words throbbed in Sabra’s mind as she inspected what had moved. …[This story is an intrusive surveillance example.]
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Rage – an intimidation case
“Intimidation case.” Hans listened to the man in the red shirt. The man in the red shirt inspected Hans’s mobile then powered it off. “Secrecy first,” he said.
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Person Lurking – story of AI in intelligence analysis
Person lurking by Zone Sierra. Nervous movement, potential improvised explosive device. The automated intelligence analysis flashed on Tessa’s screen.