R. W. (Ralph Walter) Stockheker
The rogue waveform
"The Rogue Waveform" by R. W. Stockheker is a science fiction novel originally published in the summer of 1955. The story is set in a contemporary context, exploring the intersection of wrestling culture, bio-electronic research, and the complexities of human relationships. The book addresses themes of identity and personal transformation through the lens of experimental science, focusing on the protagonist's unusual symbiotic waveform. The narrative follows Freddy Booten, a professional wrestler known as Don Diablo, who is familiar with the disdain of the public. His life takes an unexpected turn when he meets a brilliant scientist named Panda, who proposes an experiment to analyze his "rogue symbiotic waveform" at the Keevan Research Foundation. After undergoing a controversial procedure meant to modify his personality, Freddy finds himself transformed from a universally detested figure into an unexpectedly lovable one. As his new persona affects everyone around him—including the wrestling audience and even his pigs back home—the novel humorously examines the consequences of scientific intervention on human nature and personal identity, culminating in Freddy's dilemma as he navigates his new reality while grappling with the implications of his changed personality.