by Daniel Romm
Its members arguably included the greatest leaders and philanthropists ever assembled, unquestionably since the founding fathers of the United States convened the first Continental Congress. They intuitively recognized that throughout history rarely, if ever, has such a fortuitous set of circumstances presented itself to facilitate change for better or worse. Enthusiastically accepting the enormous responsibility, they immediately initiated action designed to both alleviate present suffering and improve humanity's future prospects. The first major post-project decision was to go public as ‘the Corporation’ in order to distribute profits to the people, not to raise unneeded additional funds (as a few mean-spirited critics had surmised).
The obvious and unanimous choice for CEO was former United States president Paul Simmons, liked and trusted by both East and West for having successfully brokered a joint treaty between Israel and Palestine. He and his board of directors, consisting of twelve of the organization's most eminent and articulate members from among the major oil producers, primarily the Middle East and Russia, and the largest energy consumers, primarily the United States, China, Japan and Europe, had interacted on numerous occasions to settle disputes. Moreover, they were friends as well as colleagues and enjoyed a high degree of mutual respect and harmony.
Working in concert they quickly and smoothly forged a powerful medium for action by blending their copious leadership and management skills, the most important of which were: encouraging open and honest discussion of issues, reserving judgment while listening open-mindedly, receiving critical feedback non-defensively, choosing effective advisors and supporting staff rather than sycophants and yes-men, assuming accountability for their actions, and persevering and remaining cool under pressure. These assets conduced to their nearly always arriving at uncannily wise decisions and inevitably finding ingenious solutions to seemingly intractable problems.
Everybody scurried to buy shares and their wealth gradually increased as company stock steadily rose under the two-fold stimulus of the corporation's efficient management and the life-sustaining qualities of its product, which ensured ongoing demand. Over time a highly socialistic form of capitalism emerged as the worldwide economic system of choice, overpowering competing systems that some nations had attempted to foist upon the entire world.
Since the techniques of successful investing were now routinely taught in high school, even the poor eventually became well off. They had learned to stop viewing large corporations with suspicion, buy only things they needed and at most one or two others they wanted, and save and invest the rest once every month. As little as 5% of net income sufficed to provide a hefty nest egg for their advanced years if they began at an early age; increased longevity, the mathematical laws of compound interest and the Corporation's firm grip on the energy market guaranteed it. If anyone lost his job or became otherwise financially strapped he could temporarily halt the investment until getting back on his feet and still be able to rejoin the bandwagon in time to guarantee future prosperity, especially if he were young.
The board's first major resolution was to install a progressive billing method. Those with the most usage were charged at a high rate as compared to more moderate consumers who paid proportionately less, with the lowest users paying practically nothing. The altruistic motive was to gradually and steadily redistribute wealth more evenly between the rich and the potentially seditious poor. The board had correctly surmised that the former, consisting of those who were affluent enough to purchase the latest upgraded models of the most energy-wasteful products, would continue to do so in order to solidify their status10, resulting in a subsidization of costs that would blur the demarcation line between the upper and lower economic classes.
Another of the Corporation's sanguine affects, this one unforeseen, became apparent once the media began airing the board's eloquent and well-reasoned arguments, both pro and con, on the issues confronting them. The friendly atmosphere that prevailed, despite sometimes extremely divergent positions and widely varying cultural roots, paved the way for all people to exchange opinions without fear of reprisal.
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10 As Veblen predicted in his Theory Of The Leisure Class
5
A Picnic
Although initially disliking each other, Ben and Jim had nonetheless coauthored a paper and Jenny wanted to see first-hand how compatible they had become. After pondering several possible scenarios she settled on a picnic and began arranging it with her customary thoughtfulness and zest. First was the matter of, where? She picked a park overlooking Puget Sound that provided an imposing view of downtown Seattle and the space needle. Then came, which day? This was her biggest concern since Seattle weather was notoriously unpredictable and rain was always a threat. After meticulously studying the charts she found a Saturday afternoon with the forecast ‘sunny with a light breeze and 5% chance of rain’, which was as safe as Seattle ever gets. Last was, what to prepare for lunch? She knew Ben's favorites but not Jim's. “Let's go on a picnic,” she sprang on Ben during dinner.
“A picnic? Where did that idea come from? We've never gone on a picnic,” he replied while mulling it over.
“It sounds like fun. I thought we'd invite Jim.”
Ben frowned. Since returning from his stint in space he had detected Jenny's increased interest in Jim and was a little wary. “He's pretty busy,” he ventured hopefully.
But Jenny had that determined look that told him her mind was made up and resistance was futile. “He can spare one Saturday afternoon. Besides, he would never refuse me without a better reason than that.”
Ben made one last desperate attempt, “What will we talk about? He's not very good at small talk.”
“Then we'll talk about important stuff.”
“Like what?”
“Like how you two are getting along on your current project.”
“I've kept you informed.”
“I haven't heard his perspective. Besides, you spare me the details but I like details.”
“Okay. You're responsible for keeping the conversation going.”
“No problem. All you have to do is ask him if he is available on the 22nd and what he likes to eat. I'll do the rest.”
On the morning of the rendezvous Jenny dashed to the window in nervous anticipation. Her uneasiness turned out to be unfounded; it was a beautiful sunny day. When they arrived at the park she found a secluded grassy spot under the shade of a majestic oak tree where the surrounding bushes blocked the strong wind and the view was perfect. Jenny began unpacking lunch as the men spread the tablecloth. First out was the fried chicken made from her own special recipe, followed by paper plates and cups, wine glasses, napkins, plastic utensils, a bottle of merlot, root beer, condiments, heaping portions of coleslaw, potato chips, pickles and chocolate cookies.
“How is your project going?” she asked, filling their plates and wine glasses to the brink. Ben was under orders to let Jim answer all questions.
After an awkward pause, Jim responded phlegmatically, “Pretty good.”
“Just pretty good? I expect great things from you two.”
“Well, actually very good.”
“Tell me,” she implored.
“We've gained headway.”
“If you insist on three word answers to all my queries it's going to be a long afternoon. I want details. Here, have some more wine and try again.”
After another glass Jim's tongue loosened. “We've submitted a paper to the Academy's review board. They haven't responded yet but I think our proof that tachyons live in the future will hold up. If so we're going to tackle time travel next.”
“What happens to your paper if it passes muster?”
“It will be published in the Academy's physics journal.”
“Don't they only publish articles of the highest importance?”
“Yes. Ours is arguably as far-reaching as Professor Richardson's that proves dark matter consists of tachyons.”
“Ver
y impressive. I knew you two would make a great team. Clearly you complement each other. Do you argue a lot?”
“We never argue. When either of us takes a strong position he has the facts and logic to back it up, so we always listen carefully before playing devil's advocate. So far we haven't reached an impasse that couldn't be resolved calmly after thorough analysis and debate.”
“No wonder you want to stay together as a team. With that approach I'll bet there's nothing you can't achieve if you agree it can be done and set your minds to it.”
“I think time travel into the past may prove you wrong, it's a quagmire. We've already identified several seemingly unsolvable issues and there are sure to be more.”
“What about travel into the future?”
“Although tachyons can do it we don't think it's possible for us.”
“But you think travel into the past might be?”
“It's a logical extension of our prior work and entails fewer difficulties than travel into the future, but it's unlikely.”
“Then why tackle it?”
“We're not quite completely convinced. Besides, the rewards of success are too great not to try. It would unquestionably be the most auspicious human achievement of all time; the ramifications would be staggering. The past would replace space as the final frontier.”
“Maybe we could go back and undo some of the missteps, waste and injustice of prior generations.”
“The possibility of reshaping the present is one of the most enigmatic aspects of time travel. We have to somehow find a way around the well-known paradox that if someone were to die when he revisited his past then he wouldn't have survived to his future point of departure.”
“Hmmm. That is a tough one.”
“Yes, but not the toughest. Even if we manage to solve the difficulties in the theory, which alone would be a grandiose accomplishment and well worth doing, how would engineers actually build a time machine? What would be the engine? What materials would it consist of? What fuel would it use? These are mind-boggling questions.”
They were ready for dessert just as the sun began to set over the water, painting it with an array of blazing colors. “These cookies are scrumptious, the perfect conclusion to a feast,” said Ben as he licked melted chocolate from his fingers. His forced silence was taking its toll and he thought this was one remark with which he could preempt Jim and not be chastised.
Jenny smiled, “Thank you. I decided that just this once I'd indulge you without regard for your high cholesterol. We pay a small fortune for your medication.”
“To lower cholesterol?” exclaimed Jim, who was enjoying his exclusive hold on Jenny's ear and wanted to stop Ben in his tracks before he gathered steam.
“Of course. Our doctor says it causes corroded arteries,” replied Jenny sternly.
Having succeeded in recapturing her attention, Jim decided to press his advantage. “How long has Ben been taking this medication?”
“About six months. His cholesterol has already dropped from 300 to 240.”
“I can tell you how you might be able to save money.”
Ben grimaced at this comment. He knew what Jim was going to say but had refrained from suggesting it to Jenny since he took delight in her ministrations over his health, regarding them as an endearing display of devotion. To his dismay Jenny perked up, “How?”
“Have Ben temporarily halt the medication and then take an ultrasound test to see if his arteries are clogged.” If not, he can discontinue the medication.
“But his cholesterol would zoom over 300 again.”
“Probably, but that isn't necessarily a problem. Many people with high cholesterol have clear arteries. Mine has been over 300 all my life yet after seeing an ultrasound view of my arteries my doctor responded that they are ‘clean as a whistle’.”
“Hmmm. So why did our doctor insist on lowering Ben's without bothering to check?”
“Your doctor is confused about cause and effect, as are many others. One source of his confusion is that he doesn't recognize the difference between a cause and a contributing factor. The drug companies have duped him; they interchange the terms whenever it suits their economic interests. Another is that he is apparently unaware there are three types of causes, which every mathematician knows.”
“I'm not a mathematician. What are they?”
“First is a necessary cause, without which the anticipated effect can't occur. High cholesterol can't by itself be a necessary cause of arteriosclerosis since some people with low levels have clogged arteries. Next is a sufficient cause, one that inevitably produces the anticipated effect. I am proof that high cholesterol isn't a sufficient cause. A fortiori, high cholesterol isn't the third type, namely a cause that is both necessary and sufficient.”
“There must be some connection.”
“Some effects inevitably occur when there is a fortuitous conjunction of two or more causes, none of which is sufficient by itself. These are called contributing factors; high cholesterol is probably one of these.”
“So if high cholesterol is only a contributing factor then it alone won't lead to clogged arteries.”
“Right. If Ben's arteries are clear then at least one factor is missing and you can safely dispense with the next round of high-priced cholesterol-lowering medication.”
Already feeling neglected, Ben was now miffed to think that Jenny might infer Jim was cleverer than he since she didn't know that he had deliberately not brought this to her attention. Not to be outdone he chimed in, “An even more fundamental question is, ‘Is cause different from effect?’ Isn't every cause following the first one an effect and vice versa, depending on temporal orientation? We observe an event. Relative to everything in its vicinity that immediately precedes it the event is a possible effect but relative to all that succeeds it locally it is a possible cause. An event that will occur in the future appears to be more determined the closer it approaches the present. After it transpires it becomes a cause whose effects can then be observed. So the distinction between cause and effect, if any, is blurred by our inability to differentiate nearly simultaneous events.11
“The original causes of human action may also be beyond our capacity to discover. Perhaps free will is only a myth. Who knows how many unperceived events occur in infinitesimal time? Even if a response were completely determined whenever the same set of causes conjoin in the realm of the infinitesimal it would still be manifested in the real world as a spontaneous act of free will if, as is likely, such a conjunction only happens occasionally.”12
Jenny sensed Ben's pique from this uncharacteristic display of ostentation. She had already achieved her objective and was quite pleased with the result; both Ben and Jim agreed they were compatible in a work environment and had already hurdled a significant milestone. Seeing no reason to prolong the picnic she abruptly concluded, “It's getting dark. Let's clean up our mess and pack the utensils while we can still see.”
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11 According to William James in chapter XV of his Principles of Philosophy, the human mind cannot discern events that occur less than one millisecond apart. This may seem like a short time, but in physics it is a near-eternity.
12 The age old debate concerning determinism vs. free will is relevant to one of the central themes of this book, namely the interplay between science (which presupposes determinism) and theology (for which free will is axiomatic).
Part III
The 25th Century
1
Utopia
An abundance of energy, the thawing of international tension facilitated by the Corporation and fostered by Eclecticism, widespread individual affluence, technological advances and groundbreaking medical discoveries were just some of the reasons for the unprecedented exuberance of the times. Many other factors converged to make the 25th century the most enlightened, prosperous, productive and tranquil state human society had yet attained.
One was the improved approach to high school educa
tion. It had finally registered with pedants that complete mastery of arts and sciences would be of little use to the majority of students, namely those without the requisite interest or aptitude to pursue higher education. Of what value is a detailed knowledge of mathematics, science, historical dates and the like to a waitress, salesman, diva or full-time housewife, all of whom would probably soon forget what they learned due to lack of use? Only the basics of these important disciplines are now taught in high school; advanced topics are reserved for colleges and universities. This approach suffices for most needs while still whetting the appetites of potential aficionados.
Instead, the modern curriculum focuses on courses of real value to all teenagers, namely those enabling them to lead happy and successful lives no matter what career, if any, they wind up in. A representative sampling includes: basics of money management and prudent investing, the importance of planning, essentials of healthy intersexual relationships, and fundamentals of decision-making13. These were formerly given short shrift or omitted altogether but became mandatory early in the 24th century.
Once we began teaching kids truly useful skills during adolescence they were able to avoid many of the typical mistakes that had reduced overall productivity and curtailed the quality of life in prior generations. Why hadn't high schools offered these courses in the past? One reason was they were trapped by tradition. Another was that, since education in these areas wasn't readily available, few people learned how to teach them. This cycle was reversed once these vital skills began to be taught at an early age. After the seeds were planted progress was rapid as future adults proceeded to author advanced textbooks, which in turn enabled the subject matter to be more competently taught. The salient consequences that have ensued are truly breathtaking in scope.