by David Harp
Chapter 31
Indoctrination
The first two days at ORION were spent in orientation. The sprawling high-tech structures evoked awe, but the architecture paled in comparison to the lofty goals established by the college founders. Some of the benefactors including J. Alfred Weston were public figures; others were completely unknown. It was heady stuff being a part of a secretive organization which was so powerful and influential. Dan and Matt were determined to avoid the seductive allure and remain objective.
The ORION Institute was like a cult in many ways. All of the students including Haley were entranced by the goal of creating a better world.
Dan and Matt could not argue with the objective, but the millennium was fresh in their minds and New World Order conspiracy theories were plentiful. They wondered; are we being used as pawns by a few billionaires who want to control the planet?
The Institute operated differently from other schools by meeting every need of the students and faculty: food, lodging, academic materials, entertainment, etc. Most new arrivals were not sure how to react. It was like waking up within a completely different social and economic system. An advisor explained it with the standard spiel:
“You won’t need money here. Anyone who lives on campus participates in a resource-based economy inspired by futurist Jacque Fresco. He founded the Venus Project.”
The Venus Project? What is that? Matt wondered. The idea of a resource-based economy sounded complicated, but Matt tried to keep an open mind as he listened to her explanation.
“A resource-based economy is a system centered on resources rather than money. All resources on the planet are considered common property. Materialism as you have come to know it does not not exist here. Resources are made available to the people who need them; there is no middle man, profit, or inefficiency. Of course it is not quite that simple, but for practical purposes,” she opened her arms gesturing to the entire facility. “If you need something, it’s yours.”
Matt asked, “If everyone takes whatever they need, how do you keep track of inventory? How do you know how much to order and how much of what to keep on hand?”
“Our inventory control system relies upon cradle-to-grave, cutting-edge technology,” the advisor answered. “Each item and student have distinct biometric readings which enable the system to pinpoint who took the item, the current location, how long it has been there, and how much remains until the item is completely consumed or discarded.”
“It sounds like we are being watched every minute. Is that necessary?” Matt asked.
“The short answer is yes. A resource-based economy is much more efficient and equitable than using money. The goal is to encourage an incentive system that isn’t founded on shallow and self-centered goals of wealth, property, and power. We envision a world where the material and spiritual needs of every person is satisfied, allowing individuals to pursue self-fulfillment. The institution provides students a first-hand account of how the system might work in the real world.”
Matt was a little uncomfortable with that much big brother. It was beyond anything he considered possible, so he took solace when Steve whispered sarcastically, “This sounds a lot like a high tech commune.” An unsettling vision was playing in Matt’s mind; he pictured a mysterious machine tracking the sandwich he ate for lunch until it was digested and flushed down the toilet.
Although Matt was trying to avoid being brainwashed by the Institute, it was difficult to avoid falling in love with the place. ORION was located in the middle of nowhere, but felt like the center of the world. An endless stream of celebrities, politicians, famous scientists and billionaires could be seen wandering around the campus. Most were gawking with the same childlike expression Haley and the boys had on their first visit.
A different person arrived each evening of the first week to speak in the conservatory. They were world leaders who seldom spoke at venues smaller than the United Nations. They came unannounced with no fanfare, talking impromptu with the students and faculty for an hour. There was no official record of the visits, but they felt compelled to speak. Matt wondered, why?
Classes were as inspiring as the instructors. There were ten or less students in each classroom, and the lecturers were famous scientists or popular instructors visiting from other universities. The laboratories and equipment/materials were beyond cutting edge, more like science fiction. The textbooks were maintained in adjustable binders because they were being continuously updated.
Haley and the boys from Wildwood looked forward to the lessons with anticipation like everyone else, wondering what innovative new concepts they might learn or what mysteries would be revealed.
The six of them were so involved in classes they forgot Tom’s comment about them being famous. When Brian remembered, he asked a passing student where the Quantum Biomolecular Interactive Field Indicator was located. The student responded, “The what?”
“I told you it was a joke,” Steve crowed, but Haley challenged him.
“That still doesn’t explain why we were treated differently.”
“Were we?” Steve asked. “Think about it. As far as I can tell, the only special treatment we received was the souped-up golf carts. But those carts don’t have our names on them, and they don’t look any different than other carts positioned around the facility.”
“Yea,” Dan added, “How would anyone know it was one of our carts if we left it at one of the other staging areas?”
“Exactly,” Steve continued, “Tom also said he would show us the magic fortune telling machine, but he hasn’t. Face it, this is an initiation prank.”
“I don’t agree,” said Brain. “Anastasius described the Quantum Biomolecular Interactive Field Indicator to me when I visited him at Archbold. He didn’t call it that name, but he described it.”
Steve shook his head and laughed. “Suckers. We’ll talk to Tom after class this evening and you’ll see.”
Steve made some good points, but the other boys figured if Haley thought the machine existed, it probably did.