just in time: tara's tail – salve 2023

Just in time time? Now this is getting ridiculous.

 

Beyond ridiculous.

 

Exactly. But since when was ridiculousness a barrier to is.

 

A barrier to is?

 

To what simply is – regardless of whether you find it hard to accept or not.

 

So I’m just supposed to ignore my sense of proportion, ignore my sense of reason or rationalism and take whatever you say as fact?

 

Nope.

 

Then what?

 

You’re supposed to… zzz

Hey – you can’t just fall asleep mid-sentence.

 

Sorry. Did I fall asleep?

 

Yes.

 

I wonder why that was.

 

You said “you’re supposed to…” and then suddenly conked out.

 

Zzz

 

Hey! Wake up dude. What the heck?!

 

Sorry. I think it’s a non-zone.

 

A non-zone?

 

Yep.

 

What’s that?

 

It’s where normal conscious-ness conks out – cannot, need not or perhaps should not go.

 

Er… whyever not?

 

Because it’s absurd or meaningless to suggest what a person should or should not do.

 

It is?

 

That’s what I infer based on the fact that you tell me I conked out.

 

Twice.

 

Twice.

 

But I didn’t conk out.

 

No. Your system is somewhat different to mine.

 

How come?

 

I’m not sure. Did you, by any chance, get round to signing up to infinity?

 

Huh?

 

The 0=1 protocol?

 

The what?!

 

Apparently not. Well, that probably explains it.

 

Wait a minute.

 

Yes.

 

By signing some crackpot 0=1 infinity protocol – that induces some kind of catalepsy in you?

 

Apparently so.

 

But why?

 

I can only assume that there are, paradoxical though this may indeed appear to be, certain none starters, certain no-go zones – even for infinity itself.

 

But…

 

I know. It’s bizarre, isn’t it.

 

Infinity should be able to handle anything and go anywhere.

 

Should. Perhaps indeed it can, and does – but not in the human biological state of awareness.

 

Ah. So – I might have inadvertently switched you into another zone of infinity awareness which you were able to apprehend only in sleep mode.

 

Quite possibly – yes. You see – infinity respects the concealed or sleeping presence of infinity in each and every human individual – even if it hasn’t yet been revealed, accepted or realised.

 

Oh.

 

And therefore – there’s a kind of absolute of non-interference – like a customs barrier. Your territory – your you is sacrosanct.

 

Nice.

 

So I can’t, won’t and shouldn’t even attempt to do so. Should I attempt to do so – I short my circuit. I put myself on the wrong side of logic – which triggers the circuit breaker.

 

Bizarre.

 

Yes.

 

But what about your time thing?

 

I thought you found it unacceptable?

 

I did – but now that I’ve had a minute or two not to consider it whatsoever – strangely enough I find myself wanting to know more.

 

Indeed? How fascinating.

 

Yes.

 

Do you think that’s why infinity snoozed me?

 

Possibly. I don’t suppose we’ll ever know.

 

I agree.

 

Well?

 

Well just in time time is a different state of time – just like there are different states of water.

 

Wait a minute – water and time – these are very different things.

Agreed.

 

I don’t see how you can possibly compare them.

 

Agreed.

 

Yet you persist?

 

Not necessarily. I can snooze myself if you prefer?

 

Again?

 

Zzz

 

You can just snooze yourself whenever you feel like it?

 

If there’s a meaningless confrontational position that has all the hallmarks of being insurmountable – it’s easy to do – it’s like infinity itself prefers to take time out.

 

Oh. But why would you suggest the position is confrontational, even to the point of being insurmountable?

 

Why?

 

I merely sought clarification.

 

Yes – but there was a custom’s barrier lurking in your need for clarification.

 

There was? How do you mean?

 

The question of whether I could or should present time and water as being in some way analogous crossed a red line in your what-is-meaningfully-what grid.

 

My what?

 

There’s a kind of grid in which things are organised rather like the parable of the sheep and the goats.

 

I beg your pardon!

 

Granted.

 

No – I mean – what the heck are you on about?

 

You know the parable of the sheep and the goats – don’t you?

 

Er… kind of. Just let me google it to refresh my memory.

 

Ok. Zzz

 

One minute later…

 

Hey – Sion – wake up.

 

Oh yes. Here we are.

 

So how is this relevant to the parable of the sheep and goats?

 

Your 3D assembly system generates a kind of grid – or we could say a map.

 

Right.

 

And things are ascribed positions and values in that grid

 

Or map

 

Correct – based on what seems to make sense, to work best, to fit the general lay of the land in day-to-day 3D reality.

 

Ok. Seems reasonable.

 

It is. Absolutely reasonable.

 

Then…

 

What’s the snag?

 

Yes.

 

Well, 3D reality is only part of the story, isn’t it?

 

Er…

 

There’s always something else – which doesn’t seem to matter most of the time – but which becomes terribly important at various points in the cycle.

 

Like now?

 

Like now.

 

When we’re going through some kind of phase shift?

 

Well done. That’s right.

 

When time is…

 

Oh my – you’re reading my mind! Incredible.

 

Actually, I was being sarcastic – you know I find all this rather hard to accept.

 

Yes, but your sarcasm is a wonderful mechanism at this moment – helping you to contemplate something that otherwise would simply do your head in, or freak you out.

 

Hey – aren’t you being somewhat condescending?

 

Not intentionally.

 

Not intentionally?

 

But it may appear that way. The fact is, that the grid is real and solid – more or less. Crossing from one side of it to another is like crossing the international date line.

 

It is?

 

Yep. It can be done – but nothing without gaining or losing a day.

 

Omg – this is getting weird.

 

Only here – it isn’t so much a day…

 

As what?

 

Precisely.

 

Huh?

 

Crossing from one grid – one map – one plate of whatever’s been loaded up onto it – to another.

 

And what’s the problem with that?

 

Each grid, each map or disk corresponds to a particular time – and each time to a particular phase of “me” – or you, in this case.

 

You mean to say I’d have to jump into another version of me?

 

Kind of, yes.

 

Like crossing a me barrier – if such a thing exists – which I very much doubt.

 

Precisely. You, necessarily, “very much doubt” the existence of such a thing – and have invested a not-inconsiderable amount of energy in building doubt trenches, doubt ramparts, doubt fortifications to keep these separate “me’s” apart.

 

Omg – you’re doing my head in.

 

Perhaps you’d like to short circuit for a moment. Here – try this…

 

Sion taps En’s left effleslin₁ with a kind of wand – causing En to conk out immediately.

 

Zzz

Observe – dear g-nomers – how the effleslin becomes active while En appears to be sleeping – see how it is even now – rearranging the data lines between the various grids, plates or disks.

 

Some time (approximating to zero) later… now on the right side of infinity – your left, just to confuse things…

 

So it’s much easier to see things from this perspective – don’t you agree En?

 

Oh. Goodness gracious – yes. It’s a sinch. How come it all makes sense now?

 

Because you’ve shifted out of time.

 

Yes, but why does that make it easier to comprehend?

 

Zzz

 

Not again! Sion – wake up. This is getting ridiculous.

 

Sorry En – you asked me – I think you need to recognise the structural features of time – then it all makes perfect sense.

 

Ok.

 

How did this conversation begin?

 

Just in time time – wasn’t that it?

 

Yes.

 

Ah.

 

Ah – you see?

 

Yes. There’s a kind of tightening – isn’t there?

 

Yes – a narrowing – like a strait.

 

A…

 

Like the Bosphorus. It’s a bit of a squeeze. It’s still the sea – at a pinch – but there’s precious little room to manoeuvre. And if the wavelength of time contracts below that of your current grid, disk or plate – then, guess what?

 

Then you have to shift into another one with a shorter wavelength – or otherwise reject the whole journey through the time-strait.

 

Yep.

 

So…

 

So why do I call it “just in time time?”

 

Yes.

 

Zzz

 

This time En taps himself on the effleslin and finds himself on the otherside of Sion’s apparent sleep stupor.

 

I say – well done En. That was remarkably smart of you.

 

Cut it out Sion.

 

Cut what out?

 

You know it makes me uncomfortable why you start praising me.

 

Does it? I can’t imagine why?

 

Because usually something terrible happens thereafter.

 

Ah – yes – there is that.

 

And I suspect it’s all planned.

 

Do you? Well, you are entitled to have your suspicions – that I cannot deny. In any case – you just crossed the time line yourself – I won’t say “for the first time” as such expressions are frowned upon in un-finity.

 

I beg your pardon!

 

Awkard. I hate introducing variants – endless proliferations are a constant source of anxiety – but what can I do? Certain words or phrases in 3D reality were purposefully distorted – had to be – words such as “nice” and “hell”…

 

And infinity?

 

Sudden booming, clanging sound all around, reverberating somewhat painfully.

 

That’s right. Sion replies as if the racket is unnoticeable.

 

My God – ok – I’ll refer to it as un-finity if you prefer.  Suddenly the booming, clanging cacophony ceases.

 

She’s a little temperamental you see.

 

Tell me about it. That’s Dorothy you’re referring to Sion?

 

Not exactly.

 

Then who?

 

Another aspect, another element or branch of Dora Thea.

 

Tara?

 

Absolutely spot on.

 

So why did they introduce distortions into 3D reality Sion?

 

They?

 

Ok, we… if that’s better.

 

It’s less unaccurate.

 

Don’t you mean “inaccurate”? Sudden booming, clanging sound all around, reverberating somewhat painfully.

 

OK, I got the message. Tara – my apologies – I meant to say unaccurate. Suddenly the booming, clanging cacophony ceases.

 

What, to answer your question, exactly is 3D reality if not a series of distortions which we adhere to rigidly by gridding up – so to speak – one-siding ourself into a disk-y-ness?

 

Ah, me thinks I begin to see the wood from the trees. Sudden booming, clanging sound all around, reverberating somewhat painfully.

 

Not again! What is it this time?

 

Threes.

 

Ah. Me thinks I begin to see the wood from the threes, Tara, if you’d kindly…

 

Sudden booming, clanging sound all around, reverberating somewhat painfully.

 

Much to En’s astonishment Tara herself unexpectedly materialises, as in appears in front of En himself in the form of a fish in the air – or the water – one can’t really say – and proceeds to slap him in the fact with her golden tail.

 

Ow! What was that for?

 

The fish appears to smile and shapeshifts into the Tara goddess herself – as this particularly reality fades towards oblivion in the dying moments of a just-in-time-time.

 

Thought I’d knock some sense into you! Gone.

 

En is not in the least offended. In fact – seems to be smitten, awed, struck by the whole experience – this apparent encounter with – divinity – is that the right word?

 

Well at least you’re not going to have any more problems getting the words right En.

 

No?

 

Nope. The tail of Tara immediately puts that problem to rest.

 

And indeed – a shade of En separates and zzz’s off into un-finity leaving En now fully cognisant of the true speech – the originally values, meaning and sound of words.

 

Ah. How blessed I am to have been slapped by the tale of Tara herself. A booming, gurgling sound reverberates around and bubbles away.

 

So, all’s well that ends well En. And time, as I was saying

 

is just in time

 

where the tale of Tara is concerned.

 

Indeed.

 

 

 

0=1

irrespectively

1 the effleslin is a part of the body which isn’t visible in 3D reality – extending beyond the right shoulder, maintaining alignment between different phase-locked versions of “me”.

just in time reality – vale 2022

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