A woman in the Los Angeles area has become the city’s newest obsession. Daija Baynes is a robber who has been rampaging residents for personal information. Strangely, it is not the social security and bank statements identity theft that is widespread in the United States; It is interest theft.
Baynes has created a device to scan people’s memories and see if they have a bounty of information about topics like fashion or a sports team. Then she transfers it from her victim’s mind to hers. Many scammers have contacted Barnes about collaborating for mutual financial benefit, however, Barnes is not interested in money, she is interested in interests.
People with autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) usually have a hyperfixation or a special interest; something they adore and learn a lot of information about. Community members interested in the case, such as neurodivergent scholars and therapists, originally suspected she was bored and was apprehending facts to find a new special interest. Since the brain burglaries began two months ago, Barnes has stolen over thirty new topics and 92 years of learning. Now experts believe her special interest is stealing others’ special interests, causing havoc to the neurodivergent people in the area.
One victim said, “I had my special interest since I was five. Whenever I needed enjoyment or comfort, I relied on it. But she took all of it,” he began to cry. “Now I don’t know anything about buttons.”
Despite the threat of emotional damage, residents can be assured no social damage will be done. For one victim, Barnes bypassed the victim’s secret hatred for her parents, her illegal underage drinking, and the fact that the victim’s best friend was cheating on all of her assignments. Barnes went straight for the plethora of dolphin facts.
However, some financial damage can still be done, specifically career damage. Some local professionals are worried they will lose their jobs if the Interest Thief attacks them.
Delroy Madden is a filmmaker who analyzes Zouk music through documentaries. He removed all his films from streaming and social media platforms to hide himself from Barnes.
Luckily for Madden, his workspace is not open to the public. Barnes has been taking nefarious jaunts. Last weekend she visited an aquarium, a planetarium, and a museum, to exercise and build upon her new facts and information while feasting on the intellectuals at the venues.
In response, educational institutions like the ones mentioned and universities have reduced their hours for fear of being visited by Barnes. Bachelors, Masters, PhDs, hours of training and ChatGPT have been delayed, and could all go down the drain if Barnes visits.
However, some believe there are some benefits to being attacked by Barnes. Some people with obscure special interests are happy to have their facts extracted. One victim, Aïda Ndiaye, said, “Now I get to relearn all of my facts. Do you know how hard it is to find information about pre-colonial African practices?”.
Although the community is divided about their reaction to the thievery, they have united to help those affected. Some people with career-related special interests have been laid off from their jobs, and GoFundMe and other relief and mutual aid funds have been created in their honor.
People hold free lessons to support interest-less people and give them a community of people who are also learning for the first time.