“From what you told us of your encounter with him, I didn’t think that was possible.”
“It is. I’m sure of it. It’s a numbers game. At some point, if enough of us focus on him at once, we can stop him from fleeing and we can punch through his shield. But just for the sake of argument,” he said reasonably, “let’s just stipulate that we’re successful.
Alyssa nodded.
“My dream is to transform humanity into something amazing. Into billions of individuals who are each invulnerable, long lived, and nearly all powerful. Capable of transforming the planet and eventually the galaxy. But our very nature stands in our way. Now I know your misgivings about putting this kind of power in the hands of even one more person. But if I—we—were pulling strings globally, we could marshal enormous resources to help discover how to use the field safely. Or identify those individuals who would be unsafe. Even if this work required generations to perfect.”
Craft paused and studied Alyssa carefully, but she didn’t respond.
“We also need to have tentacles everywhere,” he continued. “Making sure others don’t repeat my work. Until we’re ready for them to. This isn’t all that likely due to the biofeedback innovations I pioneered, but you never know. But if the key to using zero point energy becomes widespread knowledge, our self destruction is guaranteed.”
“Now that is something we can definitely agree on,” said Alyssa, absently watching a bright yellow lizard scurry across the ground below and out of sight. She feared that even a single person capable of fully harnessing this power was enough to guarantee self destruction. Craft’s recent behavior made this seem even more likely.
“Remember,” said Craft, “with fifty of us able to tap the field, or one hundred, or two hundred, we really could pull global strings. By doing this gently, off stage, we could nudge the world in the right direction. Believe me, I have zero interest in running the world. My dream is to find a way for the entire species to use the field, and to prevent another Al Yad from arising. But being in a position of global dominance, it will be far easier to solve the problems I need to solve to fulfill this dream. And to monitor activity to make sure this secret is closely guarded until the time we can disclose it to all. And as an added benefit, I can be in a position to free the people of the world to achieve their potential.”
“Through a dictatorship?”
“No. A democracy of a sort. In an ideal world, what purpose should a government serve?” asked Craft. Then answering his own question he said, “It should protect its people from internal and external dangers. It should help build infrastructure and help society run smoothly. It should police society so commercial interactions are conducted fairly. And it should help provide citizens what they need to excel, the infrastructure and means. And that’s about it.”
Craft rose and walked a few feet to the end of the balcony and then turned to face Alyssa.
“Once Al Yad is out of the picture, this would be our chance. To push the world into a single cohesive society. A world government. With me at the helm. Gradually. But the point is, we should be running the show. Either overtly, or covertly.”
Alyssa tried not to stare at him as though he were mad, but this wasn’t easy. She needed to humor him. He was unstable, and she couldn’t risk rousing his ire. “Makes sense,” she said.
“Come on, Alyssa. I know you a lot better than that. At this point you’re thinking I’m a monster. So don’t humor me that much. I want your honest concerns and criticisms.”
“Okay,” said Alyssa uncertainty.
She held her mental breath. How honest did he really want her to be? What might set him off, if she continued to humor him? Or if she was too blunt?
“If I were to be totally honest,” she said, having reached a decision. “I’d say that you just want to replace Al Yad with a Western version. With you running the show instead of him.”
48
A cool breeze blew across the balcony of their Cost Rican home, and Alyssa couldn’t decide if the chill she was feeling was due to this, or her fear of how Brennan Craft might react to being compared to Al Yad.
“The difference,” said Craft calmly, “is that I’m not a psychopath. Or deluded. I just want to unite the world under one leader and eliminate corruption as much as possible. I’ve never had interest in running anyone’s life other than my own. And I would be beyond corruption.
“The level of corruption among world leaders is truly extraordinary,” he continued. “And what we’re aware of is just the tip of the iceberg. In countries with dictators, totalitarian regimes, this sort of thing, I’m sure you’d agree the psychopathy and corruption are rampant.”
Alyssa nodded.
“But even democracies like ours are rife with corruption. The founding fathers had the right idea. They never envisioned professional politicians. They wanted citizen legislators, leaving their farms for a few years to serve their fellow man. A civic responsibility like jury duty. But under our current system, you almost have to be a megalomaniac to have interest in entering the sewer that is politics. And success in this realm requires that backstabbing, shamelessness, lying, and manipulation become an art form.”
He returned to the wicker chair facing Alyssa and sat down once again. “Politicians take money from the citizenry, funnel much of it to themselves and their friends, and then use the rest of it to buy votes and to grow their power—which involves bigger and bigger government. Once a bureau is created it is never destroyed—like a malignant cancer. And government never invents the next great computer. Never produces. Only consumes.”
Alyssa could tell from the way he was saying this that these were thoughts the old Brennan Craft had harbored. They were controversial, but at least coherent.
“We need someone running the show who is incorruptible. Who clears a path so that everyone can succeed to the best of their abilities. Who gives them the tools and environment to thrive.”
“And you think you can decide what’s best for everyone?”
“No!” said Craft fervently. “A resounding no. And that’s why I’m better suited to the job than most. But before I explain this point further, let’s first consider dictatorships and regimes. With little or no freedom or human rights. Cuba, Iran, Libya, North Korea, and numerous others. Will you at least concede that some kind of democracy, if implemented correctly, would improve the general level of well being in these countries?”
“Yes.”
“So Western democracies like the US are the best system for the most people. The problem is that you can’t force them on cultures who have no experience with them. Standard of living improves too slowly, and people unused to deciding their own fate can get lost. These societies can become an even bigger mess, because old habits die hard. You need to implement democracy in a way that quickly shows it’s working, and have the power to make sure you continue to weed out the dense thicket of remaining corruption, and don’t get backsliding.”
Craft paused. “With this being said, let me get back to your question. Why do I think I can determine what is best for people? The answer is, I can’t. But at least I know I can’t. Politicians in democracies tend to think they’re smarter than everyone else. That they know best how everyone should run their lives. If you think like this, government is always the answer.
“But there is as much corruption within government as there is within business. You find it in every human endeavor, even in the ivory tower of academia. But in government and bureaucracy, along with corruption, you usually find incompetence. Compare the US postal service with FedEx. Compare the government’s attempt to establish a major website with Amazon. The government spent twenty times the money Amazon would have spent, to produce one twentieth the product.
“But unlike politicians and bureaucrats,” continued Craft, “I don’t think I know what’s best for everyone. I think each individual knows what’s best for themselves. Even those who didn’t score as high on their SAT as I did,” he added wryly.
>
“But you would admit we need some government?”
“Absolutely. We need to make sure there is a general fairness. And some agencies are vital. But even the ones that most people would argue are key watchdogs, protecting us against evil corporations overstepping their bounds, are most often too paternalistic. They can’t help themselves.”
“Can you give examples?”
“All day long,” replied Craft. “But I’ll limit myself to one. Take the FDA. The FDA exists to ensure unscrupulous pharmaceutical companies don’t falsify data and put the public health at risk. A very important responsibility. But the agency increasingly goes beyond this. First, they are risk averse. If they reject a drug that could save hundreds of thousands of lives, most people never hear about it. But if they approve a drug that ends up killing a few dozen, they get their asses handed to them. So they have a bias toward rejecting drugs that could save lives. As a CYA maneuver.”
Alyssa had some familiarity with the workings of the FDA, and had come to this conclusion herself.
“But that’s not even the point,” continued Craft. “Shouldn’t I be able to decide for myself what risks I want to take? As long as I’m not putting anyone else in jeopardy? Most of us find a bee sting to be a painful, but minor, nuisance. But for a very few, it’s fatal. There are small variations in our genes that account for these differences. So it’s virtually impossible to have a drug that is perfectly safe for everyone. Especially hugely successful drugs given to many millions of people.” He paused to let this sink in. “Are you familiar with an old weight loss drug called Fen-Phen?”
Alyssa nodded. “Yes. But I don’t know much about it.”
“It was the most successful weight loss regimen ever developed. Killed appetites, and pounds seemed to melt away. But there were some deaths, and worries about heart valve problems in some of the people taking it. So the FDA rode in on its white horse and took it off the market. But should they have?”
Craft paused again to let Alyssa think about this.
“Isn’t morbid obesity itself a grave health risk?” said Craft. “The drug carries some heart risk, but so does maintaining a weight of six hundred pounds! In fact, the health risks of morbid obesity are even greater. So how paternalistic should the government be? Shouldn’t patients be given the tradeoffs on the safety and efficacy of a drug and be trusted to make decisions for themselves?”
This wasn’t something Alyssa had ever considered before, but she decided he had a valid point.
“And everything in life is risky,” he continued. “What if peanut butter were a drug? Millions of children think it’s the world’s most delicious food. But there are kids out there with peanut allergies who could die from it. Die from peanut butter! And there isn’t a great way to know who is susceptible until the first time mom makes her child a sandwich. Just like with Fen-Phen. Millions of dieters loved it with a passion. Many lost hundreds of pounds, extending their lives by decades. And yes, some might have died from it. But I would argue many more have now died from the lack of it. And if Fen-Phen is banned, why isn’t peanut butter?”
Good question, thought Alyssa. She had to admit, if peanut butter were a drug, it probably would be.
“And what about motor vehicles?” continued Craft, not waiting for an answer. “You’re far more likely to be killed driving a car than taking Fen-Phen. So why hasn’t the government pulled cars off the market?” he asked passionately. “Why? Because all of us know the risks of driving, and are willing to take our chances. We each get to decide if the benefits of driving exceed the risks.
“The same should be true for Fen-Phen. If I’m clinically obese and I’m told the risks, I should be able to decide if I think the benefit is enough. But I can’t. The FDA has decided for me. Because they’re smarter.
“I can’t tell you how many people have begged drug companies to break the law and give them drugs that they believe are beneficial. Knowing the risks.” Craft shook his head. “The government always thinks it knows what’s best for everyone else. But people really are in the best position to run their own lives.”
“Sounds libertarian.”
“In many ways, yes. Western democracies, and specifically, capitalism, have led to the greatest levels of prosperity for the greatest numbers in human history. To the highest standard of living in history.”
“But capitalism seems so . . . ruthless. So unfeeling.”
Craft laughed. “I know its reputation. It does seem ruthless. Socialism and communism, on the other hand, sound great on paper. Sensible and compassionate. Everyone pitches in. From each according to his ability, to each according to his need. Fair and equitable. Utopia. Only human nature doesn’t work like that. Every time it’s been tried it’s become a disaster. Because human’s are selfish. They don’t want to kill themselves so others can get a free ride. So everyone ends up losing.”
“And you think this is a function of innate human behavior?”
“Yes!” replied Craft emphatically. “I was watching the news when I was about eight, and they were debating whether the wealthy in America contributed enough in taxes. One side argued that the rich, as a class, contributed more than ninety percent of total taxes collected. That about half of the country paid nothing in taxes, or received money in food stamps and welfare. Whereas the top earners, after all was said and done, had about half of their income confiscated by the government.
“The counterargument to this was that it wasn’t fair that these high earners made so much. They could afford to give up even more of their income. And that they couldn’t have possibly made their fortunes working hard and taking risks, like Steve Jobs. They could only have done so by cheating and stealing from others, or exploiting them.”
Craft paused. “So I asked my father where he came out on the debate.”
“And?”
“He told me to imagine I had a test in school and I studied for an entire week, night and day. My friend spent the entire week playing video games and having fun at the beach. I ended up getting an A, and my friend got an F. So what if the teacher said, ‘it’s not fair that Bren got an A and his friend got an F. So we’re going to give you both C’s. Still passing, right? So it’s no big deal. Still plenty of cushion away from an F. The A earners shouldn’t be greedy.’
“My father let me think about this and then asked me what I’d do the next time a test came around. How would I prepare for it? It occurred to me that if I knew I really couldn’t earn an A, what was the point of killing myself? I told my father, and he agreed. In fact, he told me that soon the entire class would be getting Cs, and then Ds. And eventually Fs. Socialism at work.”
Alyssa temporarily forgot to be afraid of this man. He had drawn her in intellectually. He was himself again. She didn’t agree with everything he was saying, but he was presenting it rationally and with his typical flair.
“It’s a great analogy,” she acknowledged. “But what about the student like you who is naturally gifted? Suppose a student kills himself for a week, and still gets an F. While you party for a week and get an A. That hardly seems fair.”
“It isn’t. Which is why the tax code is progressive. And why it should be. Effort should be taken into account. You should help people who are less fortunate. You can’t do pure capitalism. And you have to strive to guarantee equal opportunity. But if you try to guarantee equal outcomes, everyone loses. The more you take away from those who produce, whether their success is due to hard work or natural ability, the less they produce. And everyone is worse off.”
Alyssa considered this but remained silent.
“And do you think the teacher is doing a favor for my friend in class who goofed off and got an F? What message does that send?” Craft shook his head. “You know from your study of human nature and happiness that we need accomplishment and achievement to have a strong sense of self-esteem. Dependency is a cancer that eats away at these things. And it’s a vicious circle. Like an addiction. You know in your heart it’s
not good for you, but you can’t break its iron grip. It seems better to get things for free and have endless free time than struggle in a job—even though ultimately you will grow and improve and feel better about yourself. The more handouts the less self respect, and the more miserable a person is.
“Still, it’s human nature to want to be taken care of,” he continued. “To want to be able to stay on the couch watching TV, not realizing how unfulfilling, how soul crushing, this really is. Give kids a choice between unlimited candy and vigorous exercise, and how many do you think will choose the exercise?”
“Not enough,” said Alyssa.
“Exactly. Even though this will do far more to increase their sense of well being. But candy is tasty and exercise is hard work.” He smiled. “And you know better than anyone that people are irrational. I’m sure you’re familiar with the ultimatum game.”
Alyssa nodded. The ultimatum game was simple and provided remarkable insight into behavior. Take two strangers and put them in separate rooms. Give one a hundred dollars and tell him he has to split it with the other. The split is entirely his decision. But the other person will be told the split, and will get to accept or reject it. If this other person accepts it, both will get their shares. If the other person rejects it, they both get nothing.
Remarkably, splits of seventy-thirty or worse were most often rejected.
This flew in the face of economic theory. The offering party was saying, “I’ll keep seventy dollars and give you thirty.” And the other party was saying, “No. Screw you. I’m rejecting this deal, even though I’ll have to give up my thirty.”
Why? Because the person rejecting the offer had a visceral feeling that the split being offered wasn’t fair. That the person dividing it was being selfish and greedy, and they wanted to punish him. They were punishing themselves as well, but they were willing.
Economic theory would tell you that a rational person would take the thirty dollars every time. Forget the other party, the decision was simple. You get thirty dollars or you get nothing. With this logic you would take any positive amount.
Quantum Lens Page 27