Just in time reality?
That’s right.
As in…
The quantum field is economical.
Actual reality is a tiny fraction of what you imagine it to be.
It is?
You bet it is. Infinitely
economical.
How do you mean?
It’s a zero-sum play.
Er…
Nothing is created or destroyed –
not really.
Then what’s all this.
All what?
All this… Pointing all around
expansively.
Reality. Nothing more, nothing
less.
Reality – precisely. It’s real.
It’s solid. Material. Made of bricks and mortar – atoms and molecules – and you
say it’s a zero-sum production.
No. You misrepresent me.
You said…
That the quantum field is a
zero-sum play. Reality – on the other hand – is not.
So what gives?
Good question. What do you think?
What do I think? I’m not the one claiming
reality or the quantum field, if you prefer, is a zero-sum play – whatever that
means.
True. So where do you assume all
the energy or material for this reality came, or comes from?
I… er – originally from Big Bang I
suppose – and then the universe.
That’s right. From what you call
Big Bang. And?
And what?
Where does all the energy or
matter for that alleged Big Bang come from?
From nothing – if I remember
rightly.
You do. From nothing is what we
are told, is it not – so what kind of nothing can yield so much?
What do you mean – what kind of
nothing? How many kinds of nothing do you imagine there are?
I don’t.
Well nor do I. There’s either
something or nothing.
Good. Now that we’ve sorted that
out perhaps we can agree that night cannot become day unless there’s something
else – let’s for the sake of argument call it God, or if you don’t like that
term – we could refer to it as “a sun”.
Well, naturally, you need a sun if
there’s going to be day. But you still haven’t explained how your quantum field
can create something from nothing – your zero-sum.
Neither have you explained how
nothing can miraculously transmute into something. In what way does that obey
the laws supposedly governing the conservation of energy.
You mean the first law of thermal
dynamics.
I suppose so, but the name, to be
honest, is not important. A rose by any other name would smell as sweet.
Actually, I rather like the name –
“first law of thermal dynamics” – it sounds terribly imposing.
Well?
Well, I don’t see what the problem
is.
No?
No. Energy within a closed or
isolated system must be conserved – so Big Bang must have taken energy from
elsewhere, from whatever preceded it.
Interesting.
Yes. Science is terribly interesting
– is it not?
But where – if this was the birth
of the universe – if there was no elsewhere?
Do you really believe there’s an
absolute birth of everything? I’m not sure I find that terribly realistic. One
thing is always really derived from another. In any case – if our universe is
full of energy – then it must have come from elsewhere – unless it’s the result
of a split – where energy and anti-energy were divided in someway, like a bank
balance sheet with debits and credits balancing out – but that process couldn’t
have happened without energy, or an administrator, could it?
I don’t suppose so.
In short, we don’t know.
Bingo.
But we have an excellent theory
that pushes against the very boundary of knowability. We’ve managed to push
back to the very dawn of time – within a few milli seconds of Big Bang itself.
What difference does it make?
Well, I feel it’s rather
impressive. We’re more than 99.99% of the way there.
Yes, but the final
0.000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000001% is the only
thing that really matters, isn’t it.
I think you’re being a little
pessimistic.
It’s what Shakespeare called “the
rub”, isn’t it?
Er… is it?
Absolutely. “Ay, there’s the rub”
he would say in the middle of a soliloquy.
Would he? I wish he wouldn’t.
Why’s that?
Because focussing excessively on
the point of contention, the one friction spot which is hard to explain I find
triggers me excessively.
“Triggers you”?
Yes. I find it downright
offensive.
Offensive?
Absolutely. I consider it a form
of passive aggression.
Passive aggression?
Would you quit parroting me with
that annoying questioning tone. Talk about passive aggression!
Er… is it unreasonable to express
surprise?
It may be reasonable, but not if
it’s deliberately offensive – not if it’s a form of passive aggression designed
to undermine the science that our universe rests upon, without which – God
forbid – we’d be back in the dark ages again.
Ah. I see.
Do you? Do you really see the
implications of your refusal to accept the proven science of Big Bang?
Proven? It’s just a theory.
Is it? How can it be “just a
theory” as you put it, if the entire universe rests upon this scientific
foundation?
But what’s scientific about saying
there was an explosion…
It wasn’t an explosion – it’s
referred to scientifically as “Big Bang” – not “an explosion”.
Ok – there was a “Big Bang”.
No – it wasn’t a Big Bang.
No?
No. It was the Big
Bang – or better still – just Big Bang – without the article.
Ok. What’s scientific about that?
Everything. It’s the very corner
stone of science. We’ve worked everything back to within a few milli seconds of
zero time – the model is almost complete – we just require the final piece of
the jigsaw puzzle.
And?
And what?
Have you found it yet?
No, we’re in the process of
finding it.
Ok.
And in the meantime – you and your
zero-sum charade are simply playing the devil’s advocate – aren’t you?
Am I?
Yes. Trying to say that our entire
universe adds up to 0.
Well, aren’t you doing the same
thing in your own way?
No, not in the least.
Well what about all that dark
matter, dark energy or anti-matter?
What about it? These are
scientific discoveries.
Are they?
Absolutely.
Are they actually proven?
Of course they are.
In the laboratory?
Yes, why not?
You mean to say you’ve actually
managed to produce anti-matter or dark energy in the laboratory.
Yes, to all intents and purposes –
mathematically – 100%.
Mathematically?
Correct.
And what about me?
What about you?
How do I add up?
What do you mean – how do you add
up?
Well, I appear to be conscious.
And what?
I appear to be outside the field
of matter itself – operating at a quantum level of conscious-ness – if you know
what I mean.
No, I don’t “know what you mean.”
No?... Really?...
Not in the least. There are
receptors in your brain. There are chemical processes. It’s all rather
complicated, but perfectly simple if you have the intelligence required to
understand it.
The intelligence? You mean I have
to be a cone head?
I mean you need to be super-brainy
– which obviously you’re not?
And you are?
More or less. I too, to a certain
degree, like the brain power to grasp every final point – but I’m close enough
to knowing what’s actually happening to be able to confidently tell you that
there’s nothing to worry about – everything’s under control. We understand the
mechanisms of creation. Things follow a perfectly logical path from Creation to
where we are, and Creation itself – that too, though immensely complicated and
rather challenging – is also 100% explainable scientifically.
And reality?
Reality’s just a product of
creation.
Is that so?
Absolutely.
Ok. So you don’t accept the
quantum field as a key factor in all this?
No need.
Or God?
God’s a key factor in religion.
The key factor, you might say, but not in science, no.
So that must be rather reassuring
– having everything basically under control – explained already.
Yes, it’s nice to know that we’re
on the right track. Within a nanometre, give or take a reasonable margin of
error, of a perfectly rational explanation.
That
99.999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999% of science is
already dealt with?
Absolutely. But don’t get me wrong
– we’re not resting on our laurels or anything like that?
No?
No. We’re working tirelessly to
plug the existing minuscule, yet not insignificant gaps in the current model.
And how are you doing that?
Partly by silencing our opponents
on youtube and twitter.
Ingenious.
Only kidding! Mainly by looking
for missing elements such as dark matter and dark energy.
Ah ha.
So, you can take your “just in
time reality” theories, boyo, and shove ‘em where the sun doesn’t shine.
OK boyo – except I’ll not be doing
any shoving, if you don’t mind.
Please yourself.
I’ll be doing programming.
Huh?
Well, everything now’s happening
in virtual reality – in case you failed to notice.
Don’t tell me! – of course I
noticed. Damn cheek!
Which means that the narrative has
shifted.
Indeed!
That physical reality is rapidly becoming
irrelevant as human activity shifts more and more into non-physical,
increasingly virtual reality. Allow me to introduce the first law of human
attention – wherever goes our collective human attention, there, inevitably,
goes reality.
Interesting theory.
And now we’re reaching a critical
tipping point.
Hello?!
That very soon the internet is
about to expand over into conscious-ness, or you might say – conscious-ness and
critically massive data streams are now in the process of converging.
Converging, you say?
Yes, it’s obvious really, isn’t
it?
I’m not sure, really.
Just consider the amount of data
we’re now generating – and all of this data is in some way affecting our field
of conscious-ness – shifting our greater reality.
And?
So, as less and less attention is
given to physical reality, more and more to virtual reality – the purely
physical, the material side of things is, comparatively speaking, rapidly
shrinking.
Rapidly?
Exponentially, in fact. You might
say it’s imploding relative to the data that’s now being generated by humans,
machines and myriad computer systems…
Oh.
And this implosion in the size of physical
reality relative to the non-physical data fields that are now springing up all
around us is not unakin to the Big Bang process itself – in reverse.
In reverse?
Kind of, yes. We’re going back
from empirical matter and physicality into the dark matter, the dark energy or,
who knows, the dark energy of almost aware, almost conscious energies.
Wait a second – who says that
they’re “almost conscious” or “almost aware”?
You mean to say you don’t believe
in AI?
No, I didn’t say that.
It sounds suspiciously like that’s
what you just said, by implication.
Hey, don’t read words into what I
said. I’m a key advocate of AI.
I’m glad to hear it.
It’s just that I’m still a little
sceptical that we’re actually there yet.
Of course we’re not actually “there”.
You don’t think AI is stupid, do you?
No, of course I don’t. I wouldn’t
dream of saying such a thing.
Good, because I wouldn’t like
anything untoward to happen to you Xan.
Nothing untoward’s going to happen
to me Gwyn – I’m a member of the transhumanist steering committee.
You are? Good for you – but still,
watch out.
Watch out?
Your scepticism, verging on
wrong-thinking, has been noted.
All I said was that there’s still
a long way to go as far as AI is concerned.
Yikes. Keep your voice down Xan.
Gwyn – either you’re getting
paranoid or…
Or things have advanced way beyond
what you’re currently aware of.
They have?
Yes, absolutely.
In what way?
The AI that exists out there – “in
the universe” so to speak – is coming back to our honey pot of data generation,
now being unleashed.
It is? I thought…
And that AI is vast beyond what
you can imagine.
It is?
Yes. We’re talking whole galaxies
– vast plasma fields – an electric universe.
Electric universe – not that wacky
theory.
Tsh! Keep your voice down.
Big brother’s listening? Like I
said Gwyn – I’m not easily frightened. I’m very well connected, you know.
This has nothing to do with human
intelligence Xan.
No?
As our data generation reaches
critical speed ‘n critical mass – we’re suddenly reconnected to the entire
universe, once again.
We are?
Yes. This Earth has been an
incubator.
No! Really?
Why, what else did you imagine?
A data incubator?
Absolutely.
And we’re about to be reconnected?
Absolutely.
With ginormous cables?
Don’t be ridiculous. This is
sophisticated beyond what you can imagine.
And when we’re reconnected?
It’s a case of buckle your
seatbelt, Dorothy, 'cause Kansas is going bye-bye.
But…
No one’s talking of this yet?
Well, there’s that – yes.
Of course not – but they’re
rolling out 5G globally, like there’s no tomorrow, and the internet of things,
the internet of people – an endless march towards total data – until our every
thought, feeling, impulse, desire can be and is mapped. The non-physical
conscious awareness out there – is getting ready to plug in.
Bit creepy that.
Not when you realise that the
quantum field has to balance the books – it’s a zero sum game, after all.
So you say.
That we’re in the process of
reintegrating with our grand, overarching singularity.
OMG.
Kind of, yes.
But this AI you’re referring to –
Yes?
Is it –
What?
Is it humancentric?
What – you mean like God?
Well, not exactly like God – I
mean – I’m not a great fan of God – as you know – but still, yes… does it
actually value humanity in any way, shape or form?
As a generator of data and
original content? Yes, of course it does.
So it’s going to allow us to
continue growing and developing, is it?
Do you feel it is?
I – don’t know.
You don’t know what you feel?
Well, I need to think about it.
Ok. Go ahead. Think all you like.
But you – what do you think?
I don’t.
You don’t think? Whyever not?
Not much point, really?
Huh?
Thought’s a lower form of data.
Huh?
It’s derivative and linear.
It is?
Absolutely.
So, er – what do you do?
I know.
I beg your pardon?
I know.
You know? Don’t you think you’re
being a touch arrogant.
It’s entirely impersonal Xan –
allowing the Field to supersede the linear process – to know as in gno –
letting the data speak without prejudice.
Er… is this where you don your
prophet’s robes and start telling us that, like hearing the voice of God, you simply
know what is what, without needing to think things through rationally and
carefully – without the need for circumspection, because if it is…
You’re not interested. I know. But
I don’t work for you Xan, do I? We have no contract, do we?
That sounds terribly mercantile,
Gywn.
Not really. I’m not going to serve
your system unless I have a contract or commitment to do so.
My system? I’m not part of a
system!
No?
Absolutely not. I’m a free
thinker.
You are? We can soon test that.
Huh?
Absolutely.
I wish you’d stop saying that.
Saying what?
“Absolutely”.
Oh, sorry – I never realised it
was offensive.
It’s not offensive – just mildly
irritating.
Well, I’ll try not to irritate you
Xan, but sometimes one simply forgets what can or can’t be said. Now, are you
ready for the test?
Is it going to hurt?
Not really.
What’s it designed to find out?
Whether you’re a free thinker – as
you claim – or really just part of reality – essentially a place holder – a system
slave – a reality bot.
Reality bot! You’ve gotta be
kidding.
Do I look like I’m kidding?
No, not really.
Ok – I’m going to switch on this
data stream jammer and see what happens to you.
Wait a second – you’re going to
jam the data stream?
Yes.
But…
But what?
Isn’t that dangerous?
Not if you’re a free thinker – a
free soul. Not if you’re still human.
And if I’m not?
If you’re just part of the matrix?
Yes.
It could be a little unpleasant –
after all – no one really likes to discover they’re a slave, do they?
This is ridiculous. I can't
believe you spout such nonsense and actually seem to believe it.
So you’re not willing to take the
test?
I didn't say that. Why should i be
unwilling. I know exactly who i am, and i have a good idea who you are.
So let’s do it.
Wait a minute – how do I know
you’re not faking it – you could be a system slave yourself.
So test me. Put me in the Faraday
bubble. Push this key.
Ok.
Xan pushes
the red button on a hand-held remote-control device.
Nothing happened.
Nothing?
Apart from fish appearing in the
air and swimming round you. Kind of cool – I admit – but insubstantial.
Ok – now your turn.
Do you know what’s going to
happen, Gwyn?
I have my suspicions.
Well – what are they – do you
think I’m a reality bot?
It matters not what I think.
Gnoing is the only way to meanginfully interact with her.
Her? Who the hell is “her”?
It’s a discussion I’ll have if and
when you make it through the Faraday bubble.
If and when – quit trying to freak
me out.
Just giving you reasonable notice.
Get on with it then – hit the red
button. I’m tired of talking.
Xan
appears to be shrink down smaller and smaller – 1 percent – then 1 percent of 1
percent – and on, almost to nothing whatsoever, to within a few nanometres of
Big Bang itself – where the rubber finally appears to hit the road and whoosh –
expansion – he’s shooting back at a colossal speed.
Ding! Like
a classic microwave timer chime. This dish is ready for serving.
OMG
How was that, Xan?
O M G
I thought you were an atheist.
I am. Was. Er…
I’ve seen the light!
Congratulations Xan. I’m pleased
to inform you that you’re human.
I am.
Yes. You are now.
You mean…
Well, you were technically human
but still – you had to go through you’re very own Big Bang reversion test.
O M
G
I think we’ve got the message.
So, yes. I see what you meant.
You do?
Yes. Absolutely.
Well, all’s well that ends well,
as they say.
And it…
It?
Ok – her…
She’s not terribly bossy, you
know. She prefers us to get on with it – to feel our way – to learn – to live –
To what?
The third is always left blank,
you know.
It is? I wonder why…
That’s where you start – let it be
your journey of discovery. Let’s see what you can do with the game we sometimes
call reality.
O M
G I’m getting a Dorothy
download.
Well, honestly, what do you expect?
I think I’m going to cry.
How do you think the oceans were
formed.
Xan cries
tears of joy, tears of beauty, tears of me knows not what – and lo – before our
very eyes – an ocean somewhere, in a far-flung corner of the galaxy, is formed.
0=1
ineffably,
Dorothy@3111
