zero hits

 

Zero hits?

 

Yep.

 

But that’s absurd.

 

I know.

 

Maybe they’ve been shadow banning you.

 

Maybe, but why? I’ve not been talking politics. I never said anything controversial.

 

Nothing controversial?! Are you kidding me?

 

Well you can hardly call infinity drive controversial, can you? I mean, as far as 99.98% of the readership are concerned it’s just some kind of sci-fi gimmick.

 

That’s neither here nor there Zanussi.

 

What do you mean.

 

The proof is in the pudding, not in what people think.

 

Well, if no one’s eating the pudding what difference does it make?

 

No one? How on earth do you think infinity drive works?

 

Not entirely sure I can answer that question, eM.

 

Well, I’ll give you a clue.

 

Go on then.

 

It ain’t limited to the matrix.

 

The matrix, eM, is just a movie.

 

Is that so, Zanussi? Well, call it what you like – I’m referring to the part of reality that is controlled by the things-matter protocol, which excludes any manifestations of in-finity.

 

Ok, so I’m just supposed to take it on trust that there’s another reality where things are not censored or micro-managed by an all-seeing algorithm, where I’m getting millions of hits?

 

You can take it however you like. The proof is, as I keep saying, in the pudding. Unless Infinity-drive© is up and running you’d be hard pressed to survive 5 minutes in the world today.

 

I beg your pardon!! 5 minutes? What’s so bad about the world today?

 

Nothing, but you activated your Casimir plates.

 

And?

 

To do that you had to lose your 3D tether.

 

I did?

 

Yep. You can’t have your cake and eat it.

 

Er... ok. And what?

 

You really don’t get it, do you?

 

Not really, no.

 

Until you activated your Casimir plates you were still attached to one side, like an umbilical cord. You were still feeding at the teat of 3Dality.

 

And now?

 

Well, you’re now in phase two.

 

Phase two? What the heck is that?

 

Eh hem! (Polite beep)

 

Oh, hi Beep. How gentle you have become.

 

Thanks. I do my best.

 

Very touching guys. Can we continue?

 

Sure. Where were we?

 

Phase two. You’re building up charge, and slowly assembling your very own infinity drive©, naturally, without being attached to any thing in particular.

 

Oh.

 

So, the matrix has nullified you as you’re no longer part of it, and it can no longer feed on your LFE.

 

eM, you know I suck with acronyms. Cut me some slack, if you don’t mind.

 

(Sigh) Life force energy. As long as you were tethered you both received, and contributed materially.

 

Really?

 

Well yes. You received data and sustenance while it, the matrix, got to tap all your surplus LFE. That’s how it sustains itself. No such thing as a free lunch.

 

But...

 

Yes?

 

How do I sustain myself now?

 

Directly.

 

Directly?

 

Directly from source. From in-finity itself.

 

Itself?

 

Ok, herself.

 

Herself?

 

Look Zanzibar, I think you get the message. Quit splitting hairs.

 

Ok, message received.  But I don’t see how it works.

 

Correct. You’re just beginning, like an infant mewling and puking, barely able to do anything, but the Casimir plates didn’t reject your application for quantum asylum, so here you are, with zero hits to your credit, but already surviving outside the matrix, generating your own flow of isness.

 

Oh. But how am I going to survive if my feed has been cut off? You didn’t explain.

 

How indeed, Zanussi! From a 3d perspective you don’t stand a snowball’s chance in hell.

 

Oh great. I’m freakin doomed!

 

But setting aside all that 3d-ology nothing could be simpler.

 

Really?

 

Well, not exactly, not when you consider the problem people seem to have with real simplicity.

 

Real simplicity?

 

Yep. Nothing could be simpler – it's not just an attempt to encourage you, you know.

 

No?

 

It’s the absolute. The simplicity which can take you to the stars and back. The operating level which precedes or supersedes things.

 

Oh.

 

Which is immensely powerful. Which can do anything or be anywhere –  can even slice through Time like a hot knife through...

 

butter?

 

Yes, why not.

 

Ok, I get you. So how, then, do I use “nothing could be simpler”?

 

How, in deed.

 

Well, yes eM, how indeed?

 

In deed.

 

Oh... like doing?

 

Yep.

 

Kind of actions speak louder than words?

 

Indeed. There are no rules as such; no mechanism neither.

 

Er... no rules, no mechanism. Some kind of login perhaps, or perhaps a mantra to zone into the right state of mind?

 

Nope. Literally nothing whatsoever.

 

I’m doomed!

 

Except your life force itself.

 

Huh?

 

Yep. Because your life-force likes nothing better than in-finity.

 

It does?

 

In fact, it was basically your life force that made the decision, that helped you take the plunge, throw caution to the winds and engage what’s eventually going to become infinity drive©.

 

My very own i-drive.

 

Yep.

 

If I succeed.

 

Well yes, Zanussi, let’s not count one’s chickens before they hatch.

 

But how does it actually work?

 

What?

 

Setting up shop in so-called infinity.

 

You might as well be asking me “what is simplicity?”

 

Ok. What, if it’s not too much trouble eM, is simplicity?

 

No trouble at all. It’s the constant.

 

The constant? Like the speed of light or gravity?

 

No, they’re not in fact constants.

 

No?

 

Can’t be.

 

Er... That's not what I was told.

 

Naturally! What do you expect? You were told things, and things, even light or gravity, are just approximations, as 3d reality  constantly makes minor deviations to left and right weaving in complexity to make things matter, to en-thing.

 

Oh, so things are by definition complex?

 

That’s right.

 

And to what end?

 

To average out the opposing values and create the appearance of balance, of a problem solved – apparently eliminating fundamental paradox.

 

Er... nice, I guess. Mission accomplished, yes?

 

Up to a point. Until, that is, you have to delve a little deeper, or until the simple truth starts poking out through the frayed weave of an imperfect tweed.

 

Oh.

 

Then, well, all hell can and does from time to time break loose. It was, after all, merely a temporary fix utilising the unexacting patchwork of facile complexity.

 

Well, if you say so eM, but if these minor deviations are good enough for most people most the time, perhaps you’re being somewhat pedantic.

 

Perhaps.

 

If the speed of light or gravity are as good as constants, why complicate things?

 

Oh, the irony, Zanzi-bar. I’m almost lost for words.

 

You are?

 

When you can actually choose between simplicity itself, the constant, or these patchwork interlopers which cannot ever quite hold steady or true, deviating like time itself in order to conceal their basic lack of verity.

 

But these are, presumably, very minor deviations?

 

Almost imperceptible.

 

Much ado about nothing, if you ask me.

 

It’s not always the quantity that matters Zanussi... Let’s not overlook the quality.

 

If you say so, eM. Perhaps they are too digital for your liking? Precise, calculated deviations, perhaps?

 

No Zanz. At the nano or quantum level it’s not like the aggregate you experience in 3d-ality.

 

No?

 

It’s slightly nervous, fussy deviations which are somewhat aggravating if you take them, or yourself, too seriously.

 

And if I don’t?

 

Then a source of endless puzzlement or stimulation. You see, 3d reality didn’t just happen by chance. It’s a very powerful tool that can and does generate...

 

Sounds just beyond the range of rhyme or reason.

 

What?

 

The sounds repeat a little closer, but still just beyond ken.

 

No good, eM.

 

Um, Zanz, for want of a better word, be that tones, content, matter or frequencies. All this will make sense only when your i-drive is up and humming. Then you’ll see 3d-ality as a potential goldmine, if you can separate the useless slag and do a spot of alchemistry.

 

So you mean we evolve to become 3d miners?

 

Partly, but not exactly. It’s like basic hygiene. You have to spend a certain amount of time cleaning and caring for your body, don’t you?

 

Ye-es. But what’s that gotta do with  data mining?

 

Well, it’s possible to consider 3d reality, in a manner of speaking, your whole body.

 

My what?!

 

Well, is it so strange? You grew within and eventually popped out of 3d. You’re like the intelligence that emerged from within a physical body as a newborn becomes a child. At first there was just awareness, but then your I capitalised and you became self-aware. A large part of you emotionally, psychologically and even chemically still remains in 3d data sets, so there’s your body. An entire reality.

 

Er.

 

Well, this is the next step.

 

It is? I thought this was the final step when i leave behind 3d and head to in-finity...

 

and beyond! The final step? Well, it could well be your final step if you fail to hold your own between Casimir east and west. If it proves too much.

 

But if i do?

 

If you do, you’ll find that simplicity itself is deeper, far deeper, and more all encompassing than you could possibly imagine, and that your 3d origins are a vital part of establishing the next iteration, grist for the mill. But thinking things as you’re doing, almost guarantees you’re going to take your eye off the ball.

 

Er... which ball is that?

 

The ball that can’t be fixed or defined as such.

 

Groan!

 

As in having a ball, living the moment, allowing yourself to re-engage in-finity drive, no matter how, no matter what.

 

Wait a second. Did I hear that right?

 

Oops!

 

Did you say re-engage?

 

No, i...

 

Wait a sec, i need to check the transcript. Damn you eM, you did! What the heck’s going on?

 

Eh hem!

 

He lied to me, Beep! I have a constitutional right to “heck” him for that.

 

Er... (Embarassed shrug) Objection upheld.

 

I didn’t actually lie, Zanzi.

 

Yes you did.

 

Not technically.

 

What do you mean “not technically”? You denied saying something you just said. We have the transcript as proof.

 

It would have been a lie in 3d, i admit, but here between Casimir north and south it isn’t, is it... Not when

 

North and south. I thought it was East and West?

 

Gurgling sound. Long story. Not today, Zanz.

 

Not today? If you say so, but don’t imagine you can wriggle off the hook so easily. Even Beep admits you lied.

 

Well, Beep’s interpretation of the law and mine do differ somewhat, not that I don’t respect his position, but still, there’s a perfectly simple explanation if you quit puffing yourself up with righteous indignation and consider the simple truth, that passeth all understanding.

 

Confound you, eM.

 

Which is not quite the same as the truth of things, which you’re so attached to.

 

No?

 

No, not at all, for again i tell you somewhat biblically, verily, the simple truth precedes or supersedes all things, even things such as “yes” and “no”.

 

Er...

 

And my “no”, which you take umbrage at, is no different. Between the lines, in the boundless realm of simplicity itself there was no deception whatsoever, for how could there be once you no longer deny your conscious-ness, which by definition sees through all subterfuge, which cannot be limited to the world of things, which knows without knowing how.

 

Er...

 

As for the word itself, the upstart – that little “no” – have you ever considered that it ain’t, cannot in fact, be completely abstract or neutral? or just a word.

 

No?

 

How could it be if it’s part of 3d reality which always, by definition, takes sides. Has to. Which uses words to entrain and hoodwink minds.

 

Then...

 

It’s actually a thing like any other.

 

And? It can hardly help being a thing, can it?

 

No, I’m not finding fault with it, perish the thought. It is what it is, neither more nor less.

 

Then what?

 

I’m pointing out that as a thing with a certain bias or inbred distortion, it cannot help being a step or two removed from the simple truth. It cannot help containing, as all other things do and must, the same basic paradox or contradiction, and thus it contains the seeds of its own destruction. Time’s inverse correlation to conscious-ness unstitches every attempt to fix things. Eventually words and things are their own undoing, destroyed from within by the unresolved paradox, coming apart at the seams, releasing that which they strived to contain, while in-finity looks on serenely, delighted and nonplussed by the machinations of matter.

 

Pathetic, eM. You’re clever, perhaps. Too clever by ‘alf, but none of this alters the fact that you lied, that I can’t trust you. Sad.

 

But how could i lie between the Casimir plates?

 

Huh? Whaddya mean?

 

Well, if I actually lied as you’re saying i’d be flung out of equilibrium, crashing against one of the plates, wouldn’t i?

 

I don’t know eM. I’m new to all this. It might be true. I can’t say. But why do it?

 

Do what?

 

Try to deceive me.

 

Did i deceive you?

 

No, but you tried to.

 

Did i?

 

Well yes, you lied.

 

Were you deceived?

 

No.

 

Why not?

 

I... i guess i remembered.

 

You remembered?

 

Well, i went back and checked the transcript.

 

What transcript.

 

Er... the transcript. I checked it, didn’t i?

 

Yes, where is it?

 

I don’t know. I can’t see it now.

 

Ah! But you saw it a minute or two ago?

 

Ye-es.

 

You’re sure about that?

 

I think i am.

 

Wait a minute... you’re not sure? You’re accusing me of lying, and you’re not even sure.

 

No, no, I’m sure. I saw it, clear as day. I know what I’m saying.

 

Good. Things are progressing nicely, aren’t they. You’re experiencing things that don’t apparently add up. It’s a start.

 

I... i suppose so. Or else I’m simply losing it.

 

Simply?

 

No, not exactly. But how am I to preserve my sanity if reality is no longer time-stamped or monolithic?

 

No one knows. You’ll do what it takes, but in the end, when experiencing simplicity itself you’re more likely to feel delight and joy. How was a baby ever going to survive outside its mother’s womb? It was almost inconceivable at the time. It seemed hopeless.

 

But babies nearly all survive.

 

Do they?

 

Yes.

 

Don’t be so sure. There are plenty of babies that fail to make it. Their body might live on with a kind of consciousness, but a pale shadow of the wondrous child who was attempting to penetrate into 3d reality. The spirit child fails to make it and the matrix substitutes a caretaker.

 

Oh!

 

Yes, rather sobering.

 

But tell me eM, is it true?

 

Is what true?

 

You know perfectly well what I’m referring to.

 

No Zanussi, i don’t.

 

There, you’re lying again, clear as day!

 

I am?

 

Yes, i can see your – i dunno what it’s called?

 

My awareness?

 

Yes, that’s it. It’s here and there too, where we were when you said “re-activate infinity drive”.

 

Ah, this is very good, Zanzibar. Here and there. Conscious-ness is unbeatable, isn’t it! And how does it feel to be seeing “here” and “there” simultaneously?

 

Normal, i guess.

 

Normal?

 

Good, in fact. It feels good.

 

Can we savour the unanswered question, Zanz, waiting for it to reveal its simple truth? Do you need to know more than you know at this given moment?

 

No, i don’t. That would be taking my eye off the ball.

 

Indeed. So what are you going to do with yourself Zanzibar? How are you going to survive in the world without your demon keepers.

 

Demon keepers?! Surely not demons! You’re scaring me, eM.

 

Archons, demons, the Borg, AI...

 

AI?

 

That too. All very serviceable words Zanzibar, but let’s not dwell too much on semantics, or we’ll be back where we started.

 

How am i going to survive?

 

Yes.

 

Well, methinks...

 

You think?

 

No... Well, i meant to say.

 

Good.

 

Something has turned around. Shifted infinitesimally but, somehow, completely.

 

Howso?

 

I don’t know, but they’re actually helping me, aren’t they? Them evil blighters.

 

Yes?

 

Zero hits! Give me a break. They used to be subtle. It’s a joke. My Casimir transition affects the whole of humanity, does it not! I’ve never been closer to knowing, never more connected. An island? I think not!

 

Ask not for whom the bell tolls...

 

Indeed. It’s my bell and I’m damn well gonna ring it.

 

Er...

 

They can bitch slap me all they like. It’ll just make me stronger.

 

Indeed.

 

In fact, i can see them now.

 

You can?

 

Kind of, or feel them: fuming, hissy-fitting, wanting revenge for disrupting their neat little set up, the cow that kept on giving.

 

Mixing your idioms... yes, i see what you mean Zanzi.

 

I mean, I can actually feel the edge of 3d, thanks to them overplaying things. And i can shift my attention to the other side, to in-finity if they try too hard to control the narrative distorting things here.

 

You can indeed.

 

Did they think I’d throw in the towel?

 

They don’t really think, Zan, do they.

 

No? i thought they were devilishly cunning.

 

Oh, they’re cunning alright, up to a  point. But no, they’re not able to think.

 

Then how come...

 

Once you exit 3d they lose all physical control of you. Once you finally call their bluff, definitively.

 

So I’m free?

 

Ye-es, so to speak, but there’s always something else, isn’t there.

 

Like what?

 

Ultimately it wasn’t about them, was it. They were just part of the system, weren’t they. They had no absolute power or agency, did they. Only while they had your undivided attention back there in 3d.

 

Then what’s the problem, eM?

 

No problem. Just new lessons to be learnt. New levels of simplicity to be embraced, harnessed, activated.

 

Oh.

 

The ball is now in your court. You now become your greatest enemy or your greatest friend.

 

Me?!

 

All your programming.

 

Ugh!

 

And all your emotional baggage.

 

And what about it?

 

It’s going to do the work of the demons.

 

It is?

 

Absolutely. It’s going to do everything imaginable, and a little more, to keep you from simplicity itself. To draw you out of Casimir central, into a new self-created phantom 3d-ality where you could rot for all eternity if you fail to really engage infinity in a meaningful way.

 

Oh. So it’s out of the frying pan into the fire?

 

More or less.

 

I’m doomed. I’ll never be able to defeat myself.

 

True.

 

True?

 

Yes. You’ll never be able to defeat yourself.

 

Oh.

 

You see?

 

Kind of.

 

It cannot be a battle to eliminate every last vestige of imperfection, can it. You can’t just cancel paradox.

 

No, i guess not.

 

Liar!

 

Ok, I’m not guessing. You’re right. I know it. But I don’t know how i know.

 

Good.

 

It’s not a battle, though it may seem like one at times.

 

Correct.

 

More an epic journey, a tale...

 

told by an idiot full of sound and fury

 

signifying nothing

 

Nothing?

 

Unless zero equals one, in which case...

 

all bets are off!

 

Er...

 

You decide.

 

 

 

And lo, the words fade from the screen and silence itself            
silence shakes the firmament to its very foundation.
In the beginning was the word, but now, at the end,               , we are left with everything the word has given us: every expression of life and thought, without exception,
and the void that never went away,
that silently looked on with utter dispassion or, perhaps, bemused bewilderment, the void
into which all things silently dissolve without trace, like summer snows into scorching sand, as time waltzes off in the fleshy arms of a voluptuous cognitive dissonance; 
shrugs as only the void can, reactivates, i won’t say “itself”... logically impossibly, and yet in-finity takes no prisoners, cranking out a long lost melody that sings to the sleeping i am, making short shrift of all that was, all that could not be, before sauntering out into the yard, i kid you not, for a smoke, or two, or

 

0=1
unless stated otherwise

_3,332