placky boxes & smith and wesson vs. Merry unplugged

 

What?

 

It’s not an issue.

 

You can’t be serious Merry! They can do anything they like. You can’t possibly stop them.

 

Yawn.

 

Oh, so you’re just going to sit there yawning? But when they take control of the internet, or your computer, or the…

 

Zie – can you hear me?

 

Huh?

 

Can you hear me?

 

Uh – yes. How are you doing that?

 

Doing what?

 

Talking to me through my telephone.

 

Your phone?

 

My shoe? How are you talking to me through my bloody shoe? What the heck’s going on?

 

Or this?

 

No way!

 

Why not?

 

It’s my elbow – you can’t hack into my bloody body, man.

 

Can’t? Er… whatever you say.

 

Zie runs around the room – following Merry’s voice – now coming from the table, no – over there -the light switch – no, wait a minute – the plant by the window, hang on – it seems to be coming from a hotspot in the air by the toaster.

Funny, isn’t it.

 

Funny? It’s insane. Are you playing mind tricks on me?

 

Not really. It’s all perfectly rational and simple enough to explain.

 

How?

 

How what?

 

How do you do it?

 

How do you do it, yourself?

 

Give me a break – I can’t move my voice around. I’m attached to my body.

 

At the moment you are – but that’s just a preference – a setting, if you like. You can change that whenever you feel like it.

 

No I can’t. I’m not…

 

If you consider, for a moment, that your body ain’t really what you think it is – ain’t really there.

 

Give me a break, Merry – of course it’s there.

 

Well yes, it is until you allow yourself to see how you’re actually a techie master – running a consciousnet node which er…

 

Er what?

 

Just happens to be you.

 

Consciousnet?

 

Yep.

 

And it doesn’t have to be fixed in my body?

 

What body? From the consciousnet perspective your body is no more real than microsoft corporation.

 

Give me a break.

 

Watch this.

 

Merry’s body starts popping up around the room – first on the easy chair, then by the fireplace on the footrest, now the piano stool, now in the doorway – and then things start getting faster and weirder – Zie’s holding his head – failing to keep himself together – while Merry now seems to be wave forming through the entire room space – here, there, wherever to a greater or lesser extent.

 Zie not surprisingly shorts out.

 

There there – don’t take it too much to heart dear Zie. You’re doing very well, really.

 

No – Zie can’t speak right now. In fact – he’s puking up lunch.

 

Attaboy Zie – better out than in.

 

End of event.

 

 

 

A week later – Merry – I need to know what that was all about. It’s doing my head in. Is this all just a hologram? Are we locked in a computer simulation?

 

No. Why should we be?

 

Because what you were doing ain’t physically possible, is it?

 

No, of course not – if you follow the standard 3D model.

 

Then how did you do that? What does it mean? Who the hell are you?

 

Deep breath Zie – I don’t want any more projectile vomiting if we can help it – now that we’ve had the carpet dry-cleaned.

 

Oh, yeah, ok.

 

You know perfectly well, in fact, what’s going on.

 

So you tell me.

 

Do you really imagine those placky boxy things you call computers are more advanced than the original McCoy?

 

Er… Are you talking AI? Is that it?

 

AI?! Give me a break. What on Earth’s AI gotta do with it?

 

Then I’m stumped – I can’t figure it out.

 

Like you said – they’ve got their placky tech to the point where they can now take over the world – if they really want to, haven’t they? That’s what prompted the discussion, wasn’t it.

 

Yeah, that’s right. And there doesn’t seem to be any way of stopping them.

 

Yeah – how are you going to stop an army of snails.

Huh?

 

Their systems are primitive beyond belief.

 

What?

 

That’s right – they’re desperate to control things – forever minding things – aren’t they?

 

No idea what you’re on about.

 

They’re using computer code, internet, cloud storage, and clunky, primitive beyond belief computer code.

 

Stop diminishing their capabilities. They can literally shut down an airport, crash a plane, hell, they can even hack into a nuclear power station.

 

Can they?

 

Obviously. Didn’t you see the video I showed you?

 

Er…

 

I’m impressed by your telepathy and teleportation skills Merry – not trying to diminish them in any way, but you can’t run the entire internet for us, can you, and you can’t shield every sensitive device from the insiders who can easily take over the entire system, can you?!

 

Why on earth would I waste my time trying to battle sand flies.

 

What? Sand flies?

 

Well actually, sandflies can be rather a nuisance – unless you’ve got your consciousnet up and running.

 

Exactly. A big enough swarm can literally take you out.

 

So perhaps I should compare these dangerous hackers to snowflakes – no – snowflakes can be lethal too in high enough numbers. I don’t know Zie – what I’m trying to say is how can these placky code warriors possibly concern you when you’re fully aware of the nature of…

 

Annoying pauses? Three dots? Your fabled isness of Be – that what you’re on about?

 

Well, you realise by now, don’t you – that consciousnet is the prime connection – the i-form platform at which i – whatever i may be – assumes whatever shape or form – human or otherwise.

 

And what? You still need computer systems, don’t you?

 

Ye… es – but we’re talking about the mother platform, the mother operating system – the basic building blocks with which your consciousness is directly integrated, aren’t we?

 

And what of it? You still need your computer systems, don’t you? You can’t spend the whole time in meditation policing the internet, can you?

 

Er…

 

You can’t pull the plug on the entire world of plastic machines – or stop the millions of crooks out there who are intent on imposing a new world order on humanity.

 

Oh – so that’s what you’re getting at. 

 

Ding. The penny droppeth.

 

Here Zie – take this gun. Merry hands Zie a rather attractive Smith and Wesson 627.

Wait a minute – where the hell did that come from?

 

Does it matter Zie? Just take it and decide whether it’s real or not. You can try firing a round or two – other there, if you don’t mind.

 

Zie aims at a rather nice porcelain vase full of deep, red amaryllis blooms. Bang.

 Try again – if you’re unconvinced.

 

No, it’s ok Merry – it seems to be real enough. Sorry about the vase.

 

Don’t worry about it Zie. Now shoot me.

 

?

 

Do it.  Merry uses the voice. There’s a first time for everything – fans of Frank Herbert’s “Dune”  will know all about the voice – the absolute control by an implacable command – Zie has no power whatsoever over the muscles in his body – as he aims and fires at Merry – to his absolute horror.

 

There – wasn’t so bad, was it?

 

Zie slumps to the ground – badly shaken by what he’s just done. The gun had fired. The bullet had exited the chamber, the nozzle, and then… nothing.

 

I…

 

Don’t get it? Welcome to consciousnet Zie. The bullet was only as real as the consciousness behind it – supporting it – sustaining it.

 

I could have killed you.

 

Absolutely – had I been operating as most do in the 3D segment of consciousnet.

 

But…

 

Where did it go?

 

Zie’s peering around looking for a bullet hole somewhere behind Merry.

 

Try again. Six more rounds in the chamber.

 

No – I…

 

Do it.

 

Once again – the voice in action – Zie fires off all six rounds in rapid succession. Ears ringing. Arm recoiling. Fire and smoke. For real. No question about it. Merry neither flinches, nor moves in the slightest.

3D reality is a derivative of consciousnet. Matter follows intent, which requires consciousness – doesn’t it.

 

But surely – people can be killed remotely – using drones, or time bombs, or things just falling on them…

 

Not without intent.

 

But what about a lightning strike, an avalanche, a car crash?

 

What about it?

 

They don’t require intent – do they?

 

Actually, believe it or not yes, they do.

 

What – you mean God tries to kill someone.

 

In a manner of speaking, yes – for your sins, so to speak, or because you really pissed someone off.

 

You mean to say God’s responsible for every death?!

 

No I don’t – but there’s always intent – even your own plays a role in this – but it’s kind of dumb trying to understand it – trying to run before you can walk.

 

So – why couldn’t I kill you?

 

Well, you could, if I’d allowed it. Do you want me to?

 

Er… not really, no.

 

Go on then. Your gun's reloaded now.

 

But… how.

 

Consciousnet.

 

Shit. This is insane.

 

Fire!

 

Zie empties the revolver’s 8 chambers into Merry – who slams backwards, covered in blood.

 

Oh my God. Oh my God – No!

 

But the next second Merry’s standing almost behind Zie, on his right – soothing, reassuring him – there, there Zie – wasn’t so bad, was it?

 

No…..!  Zie slumps to the ground in emotional distress and starts heaving, releasing the contents of his stomach on a rather fine, pink silk Persian rug.

 

Not again!!

 

 

Four days later…

 

There – we seem to have put that nasty incident behind us, haven’t we.

 

Eh…

 

The carpets smelling lovely again.

 

I don’t get it Merry – if you’re able to reset bullets, why can’t you unpuke the carpet?

 

Good point Zie – of course I can – but one has so much fun playing the 3D game – doing things by hand as if it’s going out of fashion – being mechanical and down to earth…

 

You mean to say you inflict this shit on yourself needlessly.

 

I wouldn’t say needlessly Zie. It’s all good data – you know. One always learns something – and the kung fu or zen master can turn any physical trail into a splendid form of healing and meditation. We’re always learning, aren’t we.

 

Groan.

 

So, you see, dear Zie – your sandflies…

 

I thought we agreed that sandflies can be very painful.

 

Well yes – but with consciousnet up and running – we can just match their frequency – a bit like humming along – and suddenly it’s like they’re your best friends – like the universe, or Dorothy, has found a really great way to tickle you pink – you’re so busy engaging the vibrations and sensing the interaction between matter and spirit – that you completely forget to notice the pinpricks which never quite materialise.

 

I’m having a Douglas Adam’s flashback.

 

I know.

 

The bit where Arthur Dent falls over and forgets to hit the floor.

 

Absolutely.

 

And it works?

 

Naturally – if you forget, that is…

 

And if you don’t.

 

Various options – but generally speaking it’s going to be ouch, innit?

 

So, er…

 

The internet?

 

Yeah.

 

The placky box, clunky code brigade?

 

Yes. Or what about their new quantum computers – their super amazing AI? Surely, it’s fast enough, powerful enough to take down our systems?

 

Funny, isn’t it Zie.

 

Funny?

 

Well, ultimately it all comes back to…

 

An annoying syntax gap.

 

Yep. 

 

And what?

 

Ok – let’s give it a try, shall we?

 

What?

 

Let’s post online the coordinates of a bitcoin wallet – containing 24 bitcoin.

 

What? Are you insane?

 

Let’s invite anyone who can or who wants to try to hack in n'remove em.

 

But there’s no password on it at all.

 

Not entirely true – 123456789 – that should do the trick.

 

You’re kidding?!

 

Ok – I’m posting this on the dark net and a bunch of bulletin boards frequented by the crème de la crème of our freedom-net fraternity. Observe the stats in real time.

 

Zie sees the numbers of interested parties shooting up – a few dozen, hundreds, now in the thousands.

 

Ok – see this screen – the smart ones have got in here – “exchange one bitcoin for 24” – and of course, they know it’s a scam – but they also know this wallet is unprotected and the keys are publicly visible – so guess what…

 

To his amazement Zie seems the number of bitcoin in Merry’s wallet rising – 25, 26, 27, 28, 29… 431

 

No way – you’re scamming them? How?

 

No, not scamming them – there’s no scam involved. They know exactly what they’re trying to accomplish – and believe me – it’s worth it for them. How else are they going to learn to take their techie skills to the next level?

 

?

 

If it didn’t cost them anything – well, there’s no such thing as a free lunch, is there?

 

But if they’ve got the number of your keys – why can’t they just send those bitcoin to their own address?

 

Well, you know the answer, don’t you!

 

Yeah – but it’s meaningless – I mean – consciousnet – how can the i-form platform achieve this?

 

Because it’s operating at the primary level of intent – and neither electrons nor qubits can supersede nor trump intent.

 

Look – a few have got to the next level – where they can now win the entire pot of bitcoin – hey look – it’s, shit, 287 or… Zie loses track of what he was saying as a stomach wrenching disturbance in the field reveals a guy standing right in front of them – carried in on a wave of apparently implacable intent.

 

Zac – well done man.

 

Er…

 

Zac’s standing in front of Merry looking kind of bleary eyed – not too sure what’s going on.

 

You chose to take it to the next level bro – so welcome onboard.

 

Oh shit – it’s you – Merry – is that right?

 

Yep.

 

I can’t believe it – I thought you were just a legend – I’d never get the chance to meet you and here I am.

 

Well, you deserved it. Look – can’t talk to you right now. Got some stuff to deal with. Let me just merge you with Zie for the moment.

 

Hey?! Zie remonstrates.

 

Relax Zie – this is not going to detract in any way, shape or form from your individuality – but you’ll actually find you can learn faster and have a lot more fun merged in a twin track profile. 

 

Zac’s cool about it – seems to understand what it’s all about. 

Sure – go ahead Merry.

 

Suddenly the two are now combined – but equally unique and separate. Don’t ask me to explain – if you wanna see it – wanna understand it – you will, you can – and if you don’t then I’ll leave you to your obstinate 3D-ology.

A bunch of subscribers quit the live stream in a huff – but the show’s getting high numbers after Merry's bitcoin heist. News spreads fast through the hacker fraternity. How the hell did he manage to take a bitcoin from each applicant, without access to their password or keys?

 

So guys – we have nothing to defend, do we.

 

Absolutely.

 

Attaboy Zac. You can see how Zac got in as I’ve left trail-markers highlighting his methodology – so study it now if you haven’t already. Ultimately, guys, you reach the mind bender – the brick wall – you can only get so far by being smart – because ultimately those bitcoin are only as real as the value contained within yourself – which is what Zac figured out – and thus collapsed his waveform – triggering his full flung consciousnet activation.

 

Zac’s obviously loving this moment of glory – while Zie’s apparently deeply resentful.

 

Crazy, isn’t it, Zac. You’ve been following g-nomeportal from the darkweb side of things – tracking my “illegal activities” – watching as I play around with the quantum computers and global control systems – even some of the off-planet stuff – little suspecting that you were an integral part of what I was doing – little suspecting that Zie, too, was holding the other end of the wormhole which you availed yourself of today.

 

Crash – in zero time Zac and Zie suddenly both see how their stories are/ were integrated, the consciousnet perspective – no way! – it beggars belief. Like it’s all been scripted, all planned. They’d deny it – it’s so beyond belief, except they can’t – it’s seen, experienced, known in a timeless download experience of Is. Bang. Recognition complete. And that’s that – resentment is a thing of the past – this is a job – a training exercise – and you know what – it’s probably the most absorbing, exciting job you could ever get your teeth into – being the first people on earth to see how consciousnet sustains and integrates with every other system – with conscious-ness itself, animal, plant life, the weather and planetary systems, connecting up with the sun, and beyond – to the galactic, and beyond, and a tiny, tiny, tiny part of all that – there’s the internet – there’s those – oh so smart – oh so cunning hackers and placky machine coders – imagining they can take over and control things – imagining things – the corporations, utilities, integrated systems, are separate from the whole, separate from the physical universe, the basis of reality itself, from the life code – imagining that the human mind can outsmart God himself – the architect, the administrator-in-chief of the matrix occupying a tiny slither of consciousnet…

 

0=1

 

 

The movie’s a great one – you’ve got these evil control freaks – Billy Gates and a bunch of others – and they imagine they’ve got it all buttoned up – too dumb to see what’s really going on – and they hit the launch button and skynet – remember the movie – takes over – well, we’ll call it skynet for now – and the last shot is where they’re suddenly… aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarggggghhhhh 

 

It wasn’t like it was hard to see – was it – I mean – imagine thinking – imagine believing you could outsmart me – Merry ol’infinity… Just enough rope to hang yourselves, guys, and then a backup server, another screen, and you’re busting bricks in a prison programme on Salusa Secundus, as Frankie Herbert calls it.

 

Caio.

Suddenly, a cold chill down their spine – the hunters aware, too late, that they've fallen into the snare, 5D chess, 7D – unD-able layers – that they've programmed themselves into a game where they are now the hunted, and smartness, speed, or game theory lacking that vital, living element, whether that be empathy, human conscious-ness or i-form intent, just adds to the mess... unless they can get Merry to do a deal... 

0=1