by Redemption
"As the project developed segments of the group began in 3AB to leave their 'home' in the Hebrides to set up in other parts of UK - for the AAA Institutes, training Eductors, preparing advertising and Book publishing. Because of security Mario, Rick, Trevor and I, together with a small team of specialists, were left working on 'perfecting' McTrue.
"On one of her liaison visits Xena became sexually involved with Mario. At a loose end since Kent's attachment to Sylvia, she was jealous and reacted into the muscular arms of Mario. But the affair was good for neither of them - Xena wasn't satisfied and Mario destabilised further.
"One morning Mario was not at breakfast. He wasn't in his room and neither was his equipment or software. A note was on his pillow. 'Hell is truth seen too late - Hegel'. Unknown to us he hadn't retired early the previous night but walked the five miles to town and caught the overnight ferry to the mainland. Kent was alarmed and immediately put the security men on his track.
"But Mario had 'disappeared'. Our first concern was that his enemies had found him, but he came to light three months later in Russia. Vladimir Brovsky, a very ambitious politician, had been voted into the highest office of the land on a platform of TRUTH. It had enormous appeal - vote for me and I will install these machines that will make sure all public servants, all the new business czars and, yes, even politicians will tell the truth. It was irresistible to the downtrodden Russian man-in-the-street, who finally might see a semblance of justice and responsibility.
"Brovsky's promises were based on an inferior Russian machine, known to Mario. When he heard Brovsky had been elected Mario made an abrupt decision. Without making prior contact he went straight from the Hebrides to Moscow and was able quickly to convince Brovsky of the superiority and suitability of his machine.
"Under unprecedented security (the Russian leader had no illusions as to the extent and ruthlessness of the home-grown Mafia) five machines were rushed into production and use by mid 3AB. They caused sensations and led to conviction of a number of middle-level bureaucrats and minor criminals for bribery and extortion.
"As trials of prominent gangsters and high-level bureaucrats approached a big test of wills emerged. The five machines were at separate locations, heavily guarded. By a series of clever deceptions the attention of guards were diverted simultaneously and they were attacked and killed. All machines, which had been securely fixed in location, were destroyed by massive explosions.
"An insider at the factory where the next batch of machines was being made betrayed the guards and all equipment and files were destroyed by a killer squad. Mario grabbed a gun from a dead guard and shot three of the attackers before he was mortally wounded. Thus the fledgling McTrue was assassinated."
~
Andrew sighs, with feeling. "A great pity, I'd grown to like Mario and his impulsive ways."
"We all did," Christiana replies.
~
Guy continued. "Kent was absolutely furious at losing Mario and McTrue. His anger abated a week after the 'McTrue Massacre' when a large parcel arrived. It was a complete set of McTrue hardware and software and a note.
'Dear Mr Buchanan, I am sorry for leaving without thanking you for all you have done for me. If you are reading this letter it will be because the underworld has eliminated me. In leaving the Hebridies and your care I knew I was taking a risk, but with all its limitations Russia seemed to me to have more chance of getting McTrue up and running in the short term. I took the precaution of putting my original equipment and associated papers in a safe place with instructions to a trusted friend to send them to you if the worst happened. Thank you again and good luck. Mario.'
"Kent thought long and hard about what to do. McTrue wasn't lost to the world, but still wasn't 100 per cent, and he didn't know how long it would take to perfect. The media had made a big splash of its demise in Russia and the damaging publicity for organised crime presented opportunities. But Smiles was ready to go and he should devote his attention and resources to ensure its successful launch without compromise or waste of time.
"Accordingly, he worked out a two-part plan. He would unveil McTrue and its spectacular properties at an international crime conference to be held in Paris and hand it to a group of high-level research institutions to finalise the last stage of its development and introduction. His press releases noted it had survived the Russian 'revolution against truth' and he made sure it was widely publicised beforehand so he could derive maximum mileage."
~
Christiana stops the film. "We are coming to the part about the plane crash with Kent and Sylvia. I thought I'd better let you know."
Feeling guilty he hadn't told her earlier about eavesdropping details of the plane crash, Andrew says as nonchalantly as he can, "Go ahead. I… er… sneaked a look at that some time ago without… ah… telling you."
"I knew that the following morning - from the VC record," she replies, equally nonchalantly, smiling. "Perhaps I should have told you I knew you knew."
Damn it, thought Andrew, she's one step ahead of me again. Am I ever going to be one up on her?
~
"Kent's launch of McTrue was to have been a media sensation," said Guy, "And it was, but not the way he planned. On his way to the conference Kent's plane crashed, killing him, Sylvia and the only McTrue in existence. Evidence of underworld sabotage from the crash determined me to make the most of the disastrous incident, as I'm sure Kent would have done if he were in my place.
"I presented Kent's paper at the conference, with last-minute modifications of course. It elaborated on what McTrue could have done, its ability to cripple crime and many forms of abuse. The fact that McTrue had been sabotaged and eliminated stirred up a lot of antipathy and determination against organised crime, for which conference attendees and governments were grateful.
"I emphasised that an even more important event for the human race was about to begin - the launch of Smiles, for which I had their rapt attention. I deliberately downplayed the expected impact of Smiles on crime to avoid a further reaction from the crime lords, emphasising its strengthening of the positive rather than elimination of the negative. (I think they felt they had gained breathing space.) They could handle the bad press created by the sabotage (they were used to it), whereas McTrue, as a practical and effective tool for crime prevention, would have been something entirely different and 'sinister' to them. They kept their heads down and left us alone. Smiles did have a crushing effect on them, but by the time they felt its impact it was too late. So Paris acted as an appetiser for Smiles which, together with the Book, the AAA Institutes and the rest of the program, turned out to be a brilliant launching pad."
~
Christiana: "So you see Andrew, even though the introduction of Smiles was successfully executed, there were also executions among the main players. Apart from Mario and his wife and parents there was Luigi Tontini, Kent and Sylvia. And another. Xena was found dead in her London apartment. Her death was the result of horrible internal injuries. Police happened to be in the area at the time and caught a Calabrone agent red-handed. He was tried subsequently and convicted for her murder, even though he protested his total innocence - as you might expect.
"The total number of 'executions' thus totalled eight. As wars go, a minuscule number of casualties, particularly in light of the enormous benefits from the victory. But for those main players it was the ultimate price to pay. So, in answer to your earlier question, that is the McTrue side of the story. It may have been a dead-end for McTrue and Mario and their part in the Provolution, but the Calabrone didn't interfere with the thrust of the Provolution.
"The main thing is that not an atom of freedom was lost; there was no need to worry on that account. Of course I could put it to you that the Provolution and Bold War with McTrue would have been even more forceful and dramatic and decisive…… but I won't."
At that point Cameron Dench arrives. "Hi Andy. I just dropped in to let you know how much we've appreciated your participation in Frip
Analysis. Your comments and input will be extremely useful when we process and integrate them, even though that may not be readily evident to you. Your real-life reactions of 2020 Man will be assessed and compiled by a team and put to constructive use so we don't look too stupid when viewed from the future."
"It's so hard to take in and understand all the changes," Andrew replies. "I get confused and find difficulty in remembering detail. And, while we're at it, what the hell has happened to my physical progress? There hasn't been any for the last six days."
"I'm sorry Andy," Cameron responds guardedly. "There is progress, even if it doesn't show on the surface. And we are making every effort to accelerate your complete recovery. In fact, you'll be pleased to hear, I've applied for another research grant to boost the process."
As he deftly moves towards the door and while the import of what he has said is sinking into Andrew's brain he says "Christiana, as an aid to Andrew's memory, and as background to his forthcoming Smiles course, why don't you give him the one-page-summary, the MtCC?"
CHAPTER 28 Metamorphosis
As the door closes behind the doctor Christiana moves to the bed to comfort frowning Andrew. She cups his chin in her warm palm and smiles close to his face. "Cheer up Andrew, just a few new words to go and we'll have completed construction of our new world for you - in only six days. On the seventh you rest and then your own Smiles program on Monday. I promise you it will all be stimulating and enjoyable from then.
"MtCC? No, that's not a cubic centimetre of vacuum. It stands for Metamorphosis to CCivilisation. Metamorphosis as an analogy, changing from (I hope you don't mind) your caterpillar world, grounded and static with all its problems, limitations, handicaps and frustrations - to our butterfly world in full flight with its dynamism and fulfilment, its acceptance of the responsibilities of freedom rather than freedom from responsibilities. (As an interesting aside, the final draft of Bold War was the ninth - D9. What better symbolism? A D9 "Caterpillar" to clear away the old, decaying, cluttered detritus and make way for the new.)
In your case Andrew another analogy of transformation in the insect world is apt - you went to sleep in the old regime and emerged in the new, with the process instigated by a bee. (In direct contrast with your prior world, where so many were born as butterflies and ended, through stultifying perceptions and limiting education as caterpillars, semi-dormant in cocoons to which you vaguely hoped you might somehow attach wings.)
"CCivilisation? you ask. Louis Morgan saw three stages in societal development. Savagery, through barbarism, to civilisation The view now accepted is that in your day proper 'civilisation' hadn't been achieved. There was little (or nothing) civilised about wars, crime, drugs, family abuse, suicide. In Kent's words it was merely a 'civilised jungle'. For civilisation to be really civilised you have to get rid of the foregoing and develop the better aspects of individuals and society, co-operation, proper justice, and so on.
"But rather than waste time in a futile effort to correct blatant misconception of the word, they created a new one: 'CCivilisation', standing for Civilised Civilisation The quickest way to overcome a word so imprecise as to be almost incorrect was with a seeming tautology. CCivilisation is the genuine, participatory and ultimate (we hope) 'Stage 4' of civilisation, as opposed to the partial and fragmented kinds previously taken for granted. The nature of civilisation was changed, as well as its course. And, paradoxically, in raising the target to its lofty goal, instead of making it harder to achieve, the new definition facilitated the change through easier aim and clearer focus in society's sights.
"And CCivilization could not have developed without Deeemocracy," Christiana continued. The 'Stage 4' of government - of the people; by capable, interested and active people; for the people; anticipatory and participatory. As Deeemocracy raised the 'speed limit' of society, so it needed better 'drivers'; and in turn depended on CCitisens - Complete Citisens (competent, committed, caring and compassionate). Smiles is the key - it enabled individuals to achieve the full PPartnership and 10Q, prerequisites to becoming citizens in the best and full sense of the word. This galvanised society, democracy and civilisation to approach their respective potentials through a circular, reinforcing process. Governments were able to yield significant power to significant people without fear that they would misuse or abuse it…
"The 'Open Society' of Karl Popper, protecting people's rights and ensuring freedom of choice and freedom of speech, was achieved. Social evolution became 'conscious evolution' - rising above allowing our destiny to be shaped by external forces, to the point of managing control of that destiny through our internal strengths.
"A new mass class of people emerged. Not visionaries or reactionaries, but 'Actionaries'. Visionaries with energy, motivation and 'gumption' (resourcefulness, initiative, common sense). Reactionaries with sense, balance, courage and judgement. The old dichotomy of capitalism and socialism gave way to 'Social Capital', a pair of words previously bandied around with little foundation or justification. In terms of the new Social Capital, most of your people were social and capital paupers. With the 'heroic transformative culture' (Rose's words) arising from the Bold War and the balancing of society, technology and Mentology, the term is now relevant and realistic.
"An alternative term to CCivilisation which gained currency for a time was 4WD civilisation" As a one-time cross-country buff, Andrew couldn't let that one pass.
V
D: 4WD civilisation:
Screen: Alvin and Heidi Toffler described three 'waves' affecting our civilisation The Agricultural Revolution - First Wave (W1), the Industrial Revolution - Second Wave (W2) and the Information Revolution - Third Wave (W3). While most Western countries are moving from W2 to W3, other countries are still in W1, and still others are a mixture of two or more waves. Each wave brings changes that are difficult to overcome with the mindsets and methods of previous waves.
On to this scene crashed W4, the biggest and steepest wave of all - the Provolution, a benevolent tsunami. Instead of complicating the situation, wreaking havoc and throwing things into utter chaos in its wake, it spread proverbial (but unpolluting) oil on the troubled waters. Its Mentology, like a bolt of lightning, smashed the lock on the Buried Treasure chest and liberated fundamental creativity and power more than enough to resolve all transitional wave problems, generating CCitizenship and Deeemocracy. Hence the term 4WD (Fourth Wave Deeemocratic) civilisation.
Think of 4WD civilisation in effect as a multi-purpose, all-terrain vehicle, with traction to drive over the rough roads of transition, power to surf the turbulent waves from W1 to W4, thrust to break free of Sed gravity into an elevated (predestined?) orbit, and satellite navigation to guide through the chaos, confusion and uncertainties of modern life.
=
"Phew!" Andrew exclaims. "The pace hasn't let up. Interestingly, I'm managing to get my brain into 4WD and catch on to how similar but different words stand out and help to emphasise the new condition. In a strange way, through my mists of confusion and complexity, I'm beginning to warm to the logic and value of your phraseology. How much more of it, did you say?"
"We are nearly there, but for now let's summarise the transformation, descending the full Frip Ladder in the sequence you were able to comprehend, as in this diagram from the novel."
"Diagram?" queries Andrew, automatically adopting his mocking tone as he looks at the screen, yet another departure from his expectations. "Again? How can you lower yourself to have this sort of thing in a novel? I let you get away with it before when it was only partial, but this is beyond a joke. It's just not normal."
"Yes, yes," Christiana responds patiently. "It wasn't normal then, but neither was 'The War'. As always, people were resistant to change, and the most resistant were the critics, but effectiveness overcame reluctance. Now see for yourself."
FRIP LADDER
Or, for comprehension - Descending the Ladder. (Down the Up Ladder)
Rung A is that 10 R can be achieved if people ha
ve certain qualities (10 Q).
Rung B 10 Q can be instilled if there is a practical and effective code such as Smiles for people to follow.
Rung C is the content for Smiles, the Ten Voluntaries (10V) which when followed will lead to 10Q.
Rung D is the scenario for the ambitious program enabling Smiles to be embarked upon - the Bold War.
Rung E is the strategies by which the Bold War was waged.
Rung F is the weapons used with that strategy.
"The ladder made the process of change, the steps by which the enormous gap between generations was broached, believable to unbelievers like you Andrew. Now… ," looking intently into his eyes, "… as an exercise in and reinforcement of your understanding, would you care to do a Stage 4 and climb the ladder, that is in the opposite direction, the way it actually happened, from your time to the present?"
Surprised, but rising to the challenge, Andrew thinks long and carefully before responding. "OK, but I'm going to modify the rungs to fit in with my understanding of how it was achieved.
"Rung 1. War is announced and the Flanking Movement put into operation, defining the enemy, the alarming trends, the dangers, Sed. People are suitably alarmed, especially when the message is reinforced by centres of influence, and then convinced there is a way to engage in Des through Smiles.
"Rung 2. AAA Institutes are activated, with an array of weapons brought to bear to entice people to think about Smiles and persuade them of the benefits of participating. This includes advertising, centres of influence, the book "Bold War' and F(r)ee.
"Rung 3. The eduction process is carried out through Smiles via the 10V at the Institutes, parallel to and sometimes in conjunction with the conventional education process. Additional 'weapons' used such as Buried Treasure, PPartnerships, Effective Social Impact, RRights, Nemes / Pemes.