Subpages (1): Part II: Alonso & The Fall
by H. Williams on Sunday, January 8, 2012 at 6:03pm ·
A roll of a black die with white spots would decide fairly if the Eldest Guardian would commence the proceedings and speak at the podium on the far side of the conference room. With a degree of pomp and ceremony the elder was given the precious instrument of chance.
Without any hesitation, the Eldest threw the black die. It rolled across the table passing through a rotating 3D hologram of the planet Earth at the centre of the table, finally landing with the side with five white spots, arranged as a cross, face upwards.
The Elders nodded in unison at the result. The number five was deemed acceptable.
Subsequently, the Eldest rose. He walked to the podium at the end of the room and began to speak while the other Guardians who sat around a long rectangular table were silent.
"I have carried out my studies as requested by this Council on the Human beings of Earth and have uncovered a number of interesting results."
The Elder cleared his throat and continued:
"Gentlemen, observe this human subject. On a treadmill asked to run beyond exhaustion to generate enough energy from the power in its legs to fuel its entire community." the Eldest paused while a 3D holographic projection loaded and played at the centre of the conference table.
"Before our current research this form of self-sacrifice would have appeared a seemingly impossible feat for this selfish animal without a form of coercion exerted on it. Yet, now we understand that we are able to persuade it do so with all its might if it believes it to be its mission and purpose. Failure of which would end in utter disaster and ultimately make it obsolete to its collective."
"Surely this form of coercion is unsustainable?" Interjected an Elder.
"Not at all. The subject believes it has a choice and an incentive."
"It is ludicrous to state the subject has a choice” the Elder corrected. “Principally because there is no such thing as choice when a preordained list of decisions are presented to said subject."
The Guardians around the table nodded in unison.
"The free-will necessary for choice cannot exist in a closed environment. Determinism does not allow for freedom." The Guardians chanted in unison.
"True.” The Guardian at the podium conceded. “However, the fact that the subject 'believes' he has a choice and can exert his perceived 'free will' is enough to demonstrate an acceptance of the delusion he has been taught to accept".
“Ideas do not require truth to be accepted as facts.” The Guardians chanted in unison.
The Guardian at the podium nodded and continued his lecture. "For Humans, chance is more important than choice to maintain the intensity of their delusions”.
“Chance is at the centre of their society. It takes care of any negative behavioural permutation. By giving them the illusion of a lottery as an escape from their toil you gift them with a source of eternal hope."
"A source of eternal hope." The Elders chanted in unison.
"A hope born of chance maintains loyalty, esteem and effort!" They cried out in unison.
"His productivity will not wane gentlemen. Therefore, he will not question his position within the whole". The Eldest declared.
"Chance will be the religion that they worship to renew their connection with hope and salvation." The Elders chanted.
"A lottery developed to end his toil and gift him with a rebirth into a higher station of material living." They chanted.
"Greed the curse of this species and our salvation!" They chanted.
Applause filled the room as the Elder left the podium and sat down.
"Beautifully put Elder!" A synthetic voice spoke. "May our ambitions succeed and the Humans self destruct in their ignorance of scientia and obsession with idolatry!" The Eldest was happy. The collective sync seemed pleased.
"Eldest, your plan has been approved - deploy ships to earth immediately to commence the reaping". The synthetic voice declared.
"Here, here!" The room cheered while the applause continued.
On the podium, the Eldest sighed from relief. This decision meant there was still hope for Galatia Prime.
© 2012 H Williams. All rights reserved.