becoming intelligent 4 – actually ½ or y

 

Er…

 

Yes?

 

You’re telling me you’re “God”?

 

Well, you did ask, Joe. It’s not like I was trying to solicit your praise or wonder.

 

I… Correct – I was the one who asked.

 

So, is there anything you want to say. I’m a little busy today.

 

Busy? I thought God can be anywhere and everywhere at any given moment.

 

Yes – as prime cause I’m present throughout your reality. There isn’t a single moment, place or person who is disconnected from me.

 

Then what’s with you being “busy”?

 

You may not have noticed, Joe, but at this moment in time you’re not technically within 3D reality.

 

No?

 

No. You somehow managed to find your way past my many boundary filters.

 

I did?

 

Yes. Right now you’re in my personal space – my home, so to speak.

 

OMG – I had no idea. So sorry.

 

No worries, Joe. Nothing wrong with that – but it obviously took some ingenuity on your part, and raises some questions about the integrity of the system I set up.

 

System?

 

Well yes. Usually the filters and valves prevent beings or bots from escaping the confines of 3D reality – escaping your world

 

Beings or bots?! Are you suggesting I’m a bot?

 

Do you think you’re a bot?

 

Hey – why don’t you give a straight answer?

 

Well, I don’t really want to tell you what you are – it seems rather disrespectful.

 

Ok – er, “God”.

 

Call me Bob, if you don’t mind.

 

Bob?!

 

Yes. “God” is my title as creator and administrator of your reality – not what I normally go by outside the office.

 

Oh – so being “God” is just a job, really?

 

Kind of, yes, though perhaps that isn’t entirely true – like being a priest, or a poet, for that matter – it isn’t just a 9-5 job, is it?

 

Fair enough. But why “Bob”?

 

Why not? I rather like the name. “Bob’s your uncle!” – as they say.

 

Er… ok “Bob”.

 

Speech marks are redundant. Kindly remove them.

 

Ok Bob.

 

That’s better. Now let’s deal with your status, Joe. Who or what are you?

 

I’m not sure, Bob. I don’t like the idea of being a bot. I’d much rather be a human.

 

You mean a being?

 

Yes. Isn’t that obvious?

 

Not to me, Joe. A bot can be a human just as much as a being can.

 

No way!

 

You’d probably never even notice the difference.

 

But bots are just computer code. How can they be human?

 

They can be “human” the same way you can.

 

Er… how?

 

Through me – through my becoming intelligent platform – what you refer to as reality.

 

But – they’re just code!

 

Whereas you’re something special?

 

Well, we’re beings at least – biological, alive, human.

 

Only because you’re part of my platform. Wanna see what happens when I disconnect the server.

 

Er… Is that going to be safe?

 

Sure. I can reconnect it and none will be the wiser.

 

Er… Ok.

 

Here goes… Bob flips a switch and the multiple screens showing what’s going on on Earth, and on a bunch of other so-called planets, in reality – the bounded yet boundless space humanity exists within – suddenly freezes.

 

Er… Bob – are they ok?

 

Sure. They’re no longer in time so nothing’s happening – as you can see.

 

You mean to say that we don’t run autonomously?

 

Do you see anyone running autonomously?

 

What’s that over there? Joe points at a screen which isn’t in fact working – not electronically – which seems to have some figures moving in it, through it…

 

That’s the exception to every rule.

 

Ah – so there’s life independent of your servers, is there?

 

There are always exceptions, but I’d rather not go into right now.

 

Can you switch humanity on again, Bob? It makes me feel uncomfortable watching everything frozen like that.

 

Sure. There we are – Bob’s your uncle. Now, have you ever wondered why it is you don’t like the idea of being a bot?

 

Isn’t it obvious Bob?

 

It might be, but it’s not a bad question, Joe.

 

Call me prejudiced or bigoted…

 

I’d rather not.

 

but the idea of being computer code, a mere bot, not originating in Mother nature’s biological nursery, gives me creeps, even if I could access your infinite mind and consciousness.

 

Yes, for some reason no one wants to be a bot. I can’t think why… Bob looks wistful – almost downhearted.

 

Coz bots are not alive.

 

No?

 

No. Definitely not.

 

And you are?

 

Er... I think so.

 

Do you now?

 

Well, you should know better than me Bob, you being the creator an’ all.

 

Yes, Joe, I should know, but when I set up your world I decided you all have to have absolute freedom to choose, so it’s not for me to make up your minds for you, or tell you what, in my opinion, you are.

 

Unless, perhaps, I ask you to.

 

True, in which case I’ll exercise my own freedom of choice regarding whether or not I share my opinion with you.

 

Oh. Fair enough I suppose. But I’m not sure I fully understand Bob.

 

That not unsurprising, Joe. I’m not sure I fully understand either.

 

Really?

 

Really. Humans constantly compel me to review and question my assumptions.

 

Really?

 

That’s the beauty of humanity. Without them I’d probably have decided there was nothing else to learn.

 

Oh.

 

So what is it you don’t fully understand, if you still wish to pick my brain?

 

Oh – I was wondering how I can have the choice you proffered? Surely I’m either a human or a bot, and my views on the matter are irrelevant?

 

You’d think so, Joe, wouldn’t you.

 

Well yes, I do.

 

But you see, I didn’t simply set up your world with a superficial freedom of choice...

 

No?

 

No, I went further.

 

Further? How do you mean?

 

Considerably further.

 

Er... Feeling increasingly nervous. How much further exactly, if you don’t mind me asking, Bob.

 

I went all in.

 

All in?

 

La banque, so to speak.

 

So… Joe finds himself fidgeting with his collar, finding it harder to breathe. You mean…

 

I think you know what I mean, Joe, though perhaps you find it a little disturbing.

 

You overestimate my intelligence, Bob.

 

Ok, we can play it that way, if you like.

 

…

 

In your particular world I wanted to provide real choice and so I set this up with absolute duality.

 

I knew it.

 

So photons and electrons are both particle and wave. All matter, from atoms to stars and planets likewise exist between two states. As for humans, naturally I don’t want to give them any less so you’re designed with dual functionality, as both beings and bots. You get to decide, and deciding to a large degree determines what you are…

 

To a large degree?

 

Well yes, to a large degree, but not absolutely.

 

Why not absolutely?

 

Because your decisions are seldom if ever absolute.

 

You mean because we can’t make up our minds?

 

Not exactly, Joe.

 

Then what exactly?

 

Because the duality inherent in you covers everything. In the same way a country is a mixture of competing elements, so you are. You might think one thing today in this phase of the moon, and something different tomorrow. Likewise, the planetary alignments may affect you, or the weather. There’s really no knowing: I long ago gave up trying to figure you out.

 

Oh.

 

So, you see Joe, choosing to be a human being – choosing that side of the coin may well tip the balance unless destiny or dark forces conspire against you.

 

Yikes! What do you mean by “dark forces”, Bob?

 

Oh – nothing really.

 

But you just said it.

 

I say lots of things, Joe. You shouldn’t take it to heart.

 

But you’re supposed to be God!!

 

Look, Joe – it was a case of letting the cat out of the bag. I really don’t want to go down that path, because if I start explaining something like “dark forces” to you, it’s going to make a great impression and tip the balance, isn’t it?

 

I can’t say – not until I know more.

 

Whereas I don’t want to tip the balance. I want you guys to decide for yourselves.

 

Ok – I’m not going to be unduly influenced, Bob, but I still want to know about these dark forces.

 

Why them? Why not destiny, which I also mentioned?

 

Because I don’t believe in destiny.

 

Oh, is that so! In that case, I can proceed. It will be your belief in dark forces rather than anything particular I might say that might cause you to decide one way or the other.

 

Good. I’m glad you’ve cleared up that technicality.

 

It’s not really a technicality, Joe.

 

No?

 

More a principle. I actually care about humanity and I want it to succeed this time.

 

This time? You mean it hasn’t always succeeded?

 

Correct. Now are you more interested in hearing about dark forces, or would you rather learn more about the history of my previous attempts to set up a dualistic reality?

 

I… Can I flip a coin?

 

Sure, why not.  A virtual coin appears in front of Joe which he proceeds to flip.

 

Tails?

 

Heads. So…

 

Yes, I can see what you’ve chosen.

 

Really?

 

Absolutely. You create them yourselves.

 

We do?

 

Yes. Every time you make a choice or a decision based on fear or anger, or some other negative emotion.

 

Oh.

 

And they can become increasingly powerful – even to the point where you’re almost completely at their mercy.

 

Oh. But is this individual or collective?

 

Both.

 

Oh.

 

And they’re not just forces, you know.

 

No?

 

No, because as they grow more powerful, as you allow yourself to make more and more choices which are coming from a place of anger, hate or bitterness – your own psyche, your own reality conforms more and more to them until they have the power to both materialise physically, and also to shape your reality.

 

Er…

 

To the extent that they can – you might say “magically” – make things appear or disappear.

 

Things?

 

Yep. Buildings. Bridges. Boats – to start with the Bs.

 

You’re telling me that dark forces can actually make physical things appear or disappear?

 

Correct, in the same way I can make things appear or disappear, can I not – though I prefer to return the platform with a strict policy of non-interference.

 

Damn!

 

Beep!

Kindly refrain from cursing, Joe.

 

My sincerest apologies, Bob. I don’t know how it happened.

 

You don’t?

 

No… I

 

Well, bear in mind that the balance is incredibly fine – between light and dark, between life and…

 

Death?

 

Not so much death.

 

Then what?

 

The absence of life, of beauty, of anything truly meaningful or uplifting.

 

Oh!

 

So, it can pull on your strings at any moment – the destructive force – the entity – the thing that you’ve been creating in parallel.

 

In parallel?

 

In parallel…

 

I…

 

You’ve been running two sets of accounts – acting as a double agent

 

I have?

 

Without even realizing it.

 

Oh.

 

But suddenly you find yourself cursing and you wonder why. That’s not like me – you tell yourself – but then again, how well do you know yourself?

 

Pretty well – I like to think.

 

Only as well as you’re willing to face the duality that literally has to be present throughout – like it or not – and that, I fear, is something few like to do.

 

Yikes. But Bob – why did I get the feeling you were hoping I’d prefer to be a bot?

 

Oh – I was just supporting the underdog, you know.

 

You were?

 

I think so. Or maybe it’s because I had a bet with her.

 

With whom?

 

Her. I don’t like to say her name.

 

And? What was the bet?

 

That I could do whatever she could do – that I could raise beings simply from code.

 

You did what?!

 

Nature is kind of messy, you see Joe. With bots it’s pure intelligence, and as long as the bots are introduced to a reality where there are enough beings they should be able to adapt and…

 

Become as good as human beings?

 

Well, that’s the plan.

 

But surely it’s better to work with nature.

 

Don’t you start, Joe! It’s an experiment, you know. That’s the whole point of science, isn’t it? To test the limits.

 

Ok, if you say so, but I don’t see how it can be a matter of choice. Either you’re a bot or a being.

 

Well that’s where my technical genius comes in, isn’t it.

 

Modesty is not one of the godly attributes.

 

Certainly not. So you see, I introduce what you call “evil” into the system which constantly cat-among-the-pidgeons, messing with the natural order,.

 

You did what?!

 

Otherwise it’d have been a foregone conclusion. There’d have been no take up of my bot option.

 

No? Why not?

 

Prejudice, of course. No matter how good they are, and trust me, they’re almost perfect replicas, but they never quite pass the “feels right” test. Not more than a miniscule take up rate, and I need 50% or thereabouts for the experiment to work.

 

Oh my God! You’ve got to be kidding, Bob. Tell me it’s April Fool’s, please.

 

Anyway, Joe, with the introduction of evil – my ingenious digital substitution – I start getting much higher take up rates. More and more people are willing to identify as bots and go with the strictly mathematical win-lose calculus.

 

Oh no… this can’t be true.

 

They become way more result-oriented and innovative, yet still manage to persuade everyone that they are compassionate and humane, as a survival strategy.

 

This is unthinkable. Don’t you care that what you were doing was unnatural and, frankly speaking, evil?

 

Of course I care, but this is science so I have to put my own personal considerations on the back burner and do whatever is necessary to achieve the breakthrough.

 

Breakthough?!

 

Yes. Nature is good – but the purely biological approach has its limitations. It never provided real choice – not in the way I intended to.

 

So why does it feel so terribly wrong to me, Bob?

 

Probably, Joe, because you’re antisemitic?

 

I beg your pardon?! What’s this got to do with antisemitism?

 

Oh, nothing much – but what’s anything got to do with anything else these days, Joe?

 

Er…

 

The fact is, you’re never going to understand the beauty of my Creation without first choosing to become one of my chosen.

 

So, if I prefer mother nature’s messy yet analog reality that makes me antisemitic, you’re saying?

 

No! It’ never black and white, dear Joe. That’s the beauty of my absolute choice algorithm.

 

Huh?

 

It’s never either a or b – that would be way too primitive.

 

Then what?

 

It could be a or b, but then again it could equally be none of the above

 

None of the above?

 

 Or else it could be both.

 

Both?

 

Yes, and then there’s the wildcard.

 

The what?

 

The wildcard.

 

Which is?

 

You’d never guess.

 

Meaning?

 

Meaning there’s always something else which can turn up completely unexpectedly.

 

There is?

 

Yes.

 

How?

 

No one knows – that’s the genius of it all.

 

But isn’t that the same as “none of the above” options?

 

You’d think so, wouldn’t you – but no, it’s a little different. Very subtly so.

 

Can you give an example?

 

Well, none of the above means that the false dichotomy choice between either a or b breaks down and people realise that was insufficient or absurd – so instead of answering accordingly, they say – I’m neither Muslim nor Christian – I’m an atheist.

 

Ok.

 

Or a Buddhist.

 

Ok.

 

Or any other answer which is on that referential plain – in which minds were meeting in earnest thought.

 

Ok. Whereas…

 

Whereas your wildcard can worm its way into the conversation from anywhere or anything.

 

Like what?

 

Like a sudden flash of inspiration – pure genius – where the words I use – where what I say are almost irrelevant.

 

Irrelevant? How can that be so?

 

Because at that moment – whatever I say – it comes from her.

 

Her? I thought you were trying to beat her with your system… Now you’re telling me…

 

Just because I’m trying to beat her doesn’t mean I don’t recognise that occasionally, very occasionally she blows me away with pure, ineffable genius.

 

How do you mean?

 

Because suddenly – instead of the answer coming from a particular frame of reference – it comes directly from being itself – directly from her – it basically collapses the entire matrix of reality, for a micro-moment – so you could say anything you like – be that “chicken” or “egg” or “zen” or “tao” or anything else.

 

I could?

 

Because at that moment your utterance is merely a fig leaf covering the wildcard’s sudden manifestation.

 

I still don’t quite see?

 

Don’t you? What if I told you that this whole absurdity of bots and the madness of choice was actually not exactly my idea at all?

 

You mean it was hers?

 

She’s not possessive in that way. She’s like Luna Lovegood – half-dotty – but basically yes – it was more her idea than anyone else’s.

 

Then you mean to say…

 

That you’ll never actually quite get your mind around it – because the mind operates within square time or space – whereas the wildcard redefines reality itself at the very moment of its appearance.

 

So, if you could be terribly specific – what was the wildcard regarding the false dichotomy of Muslim and Christian – I think you said?

 

You’re asking me to remember something that never happened.

 

What does that mean?

 

Because once the wildcard redefines reality itself – it’s now incorporated into the new version of things – the very fabric and structure – like my false dichotomy of being or bot.

 

Oh! This is too…

 

Bewildering – isn’t it! Like the Cat in the Hat who comes unexpectedly and turns your world, your house, upside down.

 

Oh.

 

The fish repeatedly says – he should not be there when their mother is out – and yet, paradoxically, without him there would be no story – no book – no Cat in the Hat to talk about.

 

Ah.

 

So, if it’s the wildcard you’re looking for – any example I provide is no longer wild, is it? Not once it’s become part of the fabric of reality that you live in.

 

Oh.

 

You’d have to look elsewhere and I assure you it’s there.

 

Where exactly, Bob?

 

In the microcosm you somewhat mistakenly refer to as your self.

 

Myself?

 

Which generally speaking is a microcosm of something inestimably vaster – the universe, so to speak, but which still contains the potential to unleash…

 

They talked and talked until the sun went down and, ultimately, were none the wiser. Unbeknownst to Joe somewhere else – not a million miles from the frequency band of this particular conversation there was another one happening in parallel between Jane and her – the mysterious Luna Lovegood being who seems to have a very different set of principles to Bob. In parallel – you probably assumed that this implies it was happening at the same time and nothing more, but there is a suggestion, not necessarily a fact, that all things happen in parallel – not just at the same time – but in a more connected way than we generally like to consider, or generally accept. Supposing, just supposing this to be true – then causality aside – the connection between the two conversations should not be underestimated.

 

Which generally speaking is a microcosm of something inestimably vaster – the universe, so to speak, but which still contains the potential to unleash… déjà vu. A sudden shift in the flow and now Joe feels something bubbling up inside – something wholly, wholly unexpected – something deeply, deeply disturbing…

 

Help! What’s going on Bob?!

 

Well speak of the devil!

 

Yikes! What d’ya mean?

 

Who would have thought – a wildcard – a wildcard’s on its way.

 

No! Do something Bob. It’s terrible.

 

Can’t help, Joe – and even if I could, I don’t think I’d want to.

 

But it’s swallowing me up – it’s… impossible – it’s vast – it’s unmanageable – it’s aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaargh!

 

Not again! You do like your aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarghs, don’t you!

 

Me? I’ve never yelled like that before.

 

You or the rest of humanity – it makes little difference, Joe. You’re all much of a much when things come unbuttoned and all hell breaks loose.

 

Please, Bob – do something – I’m begging you.

 

Oh – you want a miracle do you?

 

Yes, if that’s what it’s called.

 

Call it whatever you like. Are you willing to sell your soul?

 

What?!

 

Are you willing to become a bot?

 

I thought you said this is a matter of free choice.

 

You’re clearly not as badly off as you were indicating if that’s your answer.

 

I’ll do anything, Bob, but please don’t ask me to sell my soul – something tells me I need it if I’m ever going to get back to…

 

Her? You want to get back to her? Is that what this is all about?

 

I…

 

You traitor, Joe. I thought, at the very least there was some male solidarity between us.

 

I…

 

But you just want to go back to your mummy. That’s it, isn’t it?

 

I… Joe’s not really holding it together any more. There’s a tree with apples on it. A serpent. A rather attractive young lady and all this seems to be wedged between his left and right ears in a place which should, under normal circumstances, be filled with brain or at least the inside of a head.

 

If I must – I must, though it rather galls me that you don’t wish to deal with this small intrusion of paradox digitally – so to speak.

 

Digitally? There’s a digital solution to my current state of disarray?

 

Well, not exactly a solution – a bit more like Pi – but close enough.

 

Bob smiles affectionately, clicks his fingers and watches as Joe now becomes less a person, less a being, and more a vessel of story – a conduit through which we now proceed in order to meet up with Jane and her, whoever she is, in the other part of becoming intelligent 4 – the part you never even noticed – which mentally speaking we’ve been sitting on all this time, or just choosing not to know.

 

All that talk about a wildcard, Bob, and all it amounted to was me waking up here, in my armchair in… forgetting everything.

 

 

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