Deep Space Wandering Fleet-Chapter 148 - 149
Chapter 148 -149
(Title: The Wisdom of Humanity)
In fact, the existence of such disdain chains is completely irrational. In Zhang Yuan’s era, the function of bionic organs was inferior to the organs of humans themselves, but as technology developed, bionic organs had long since surpassed the original ones.
“Mr. Yamamoto, what about the reproductive system?” someone suddenly asked from the audience.
“The reproductive system? It can be preserved or not…” Yamamoto said, frowning, “However, keeping the reproductive system would increase the complexity of the system, and I am inclined not to keep it. Or, if it’s absolutely necessary, to make a bionic organ with only tactile function.”
“If you want to experience pleasure, you could use biological currents to directly stimulate the brain and achieve the same sensation…”
The entire venue erupted in commotion. If this were the case, wouldn’t humanity become a mere ‘Brain in a Vat’ existence?
Is it still human if it’s all mechanical except for the brain? Can a bit of electric current really replicate the same sensations?
“Dr. Yamamoto, your concept seems too idealistic!”
“I disagree!”
“This poses a severe challenge to our ethics!”
“…So what about the ‘Brain in a Vat’? Who can be sure that you’re not living in the world of a ‘Brain in a Vat’?” Professor Yamamoto argued loudly, “Does replacing the human shell with superior machinery change the true essence of humanity?”
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“What is the true essence of humanity? Can you answer that? Do those cells of yours truly represent you?”
But not many could accept this.
Zhang Yuan faintly sensed that the atmosphere in the venue seemed a bit chaotic as the discussion grew louder with a profusion of various opinions.
Even if the benefits of such bionic modifications were clear, the vast majority of those present still couldn’t accept it.
It was even more challenging to accept than the social welfare system…
He quietly turned to Academician Ding next to him, “Teacher, isn’t there a better option, something that could be widely accepted?”
Academician Ding responded with a faint smile, “Then… what are your thoughts?”
Zhang Yuan hesitated for a moment but then stood firm in his belief, “I only obey the results of calculations. If they are correct, then… let’s execute them. Such debates are utterly unproductive.”
“But for ordinary people, these two options are just too radical; they might not be able to accept them.”
“So-called better ways? Where is there any better way?”
Academician Ding said lightly, “What we have to do is fundamentally change the entire civilization, starting from the root node, making it completely different from the beginning. Only then can we take the critical step to break free from mediocrity.”
“…You should know that reform through legal and moral means is utterly unreliable. Our generation witnessed the decline of Earth Civilization and indeed had the original impetus for reform. But shouting a loud idealistic slogan can inspire momentarily, but it cannot inspire forever.”
“Because of human nature, since the birth of humanity, human nature has not changed… Humans are selfish creatures, with very few exceptions.”
“If one hasn’t experienced it, they won’t hold the corresponding convictions. Once our generation dies, the following generations might just waste all our efforts. They could not possibly have our beliefs and persistence.”
“A grand civilization cannot be built in one generation. ‘The benefits of a gentleman last for five generations; the benefits of a small-minded man also cut off after the fifth.’ Earth Civilization has declined, and the people a few generations later will not feel it and therefore will not have that original drive.”
After a moment of silence, Academician Ding spoke, “Thus, humanity remains the same humanity. Thousands of years later, our civilization will have become just like Earth Civilization. Zhang Yuan, do you accept this hypothesis?”
Zhang Yuan was stunned. Professor Ding’s hypothesis was very cold and unpleasant to hear.
But it did indeed match up with conventional logic.
Humans from the Earth Era witnessed the rise and fall of Earth Civilization; the pain and shock were something the later generations could not comprehend.
If the first generation does not make significant changes, then the generations to follow will be even less likely to do so.
And relying on morality to bind the future generations is indeed impractical, for morality itself is the product of Nash equilibrium under the negotiation among human societies. If a certain ‘morality’ contradicts the interests of most people, then humanity will abandon it without hesitation.
Academician Ding continued, “But Zhang Yuan, there are many things in this world where, once we make a choice, the future generations will have no chance to change it! Like several viewpoints mentioned in the meeting.”
“Think about it, a child who has no parents from birth, with both paternal and maternal love provided by robots. And if everyone around him is without parents, he would think it’s natural. That’s how the world operates.”
“If a person lives in a society where everyone around him is a bionic person, having undergone related modifications, he would think that there is nothing remarkable about having bionic surgery, and he wouldn’t cling to any nonsense about pure human theory…”
Zhang Yuan sighed. Yes, indeed that was the case.
Humanity is a conformist being. Conformity is not just a phenomenon; it’s part of human nature, based on the optimal choice derived from human physiological traits.
But then, are humans after modification still humans? He also began to feel a bit puzzled and perplexed.
“So, what kind of human is truly human?”
Academician Ding laughed, “According to genes? Chimpanzees share 99% of their DNA with humans, why aren’t they human? The genetic difference between humans and paramecium isn’t much.”
“Genes select based on the environment. Perhaps thousands of years later, humans accustomed to living in space have already become reproductively isolated from us. Are they the real humans, or are we?”
“… By intelligence? Are those with congenital intellectual disabilities, or patients with Alzheimer’s disease, to be stripped of their human status? You’re so intelligent; does that mean those less intelligent than you are no longer human?”
“By culture? If you lived in the Middle Ages in Europe and said, ‘the Sun is the center of the Universe,’ you would have been burned alive; if you lived in the Great Qing Dynasty, you had to secure your queue properly and kneel when seeing officials! Do you think these obsolete beings are human?”
“Nothing is eternal and unchangeable, especially thoughts, which change the fastest.”
“As long as you consider yourself human, you are human.”
Zhang Yuan understood Academician Ding’s point; he let out a soft sigh.
Looking around at the noisy crowd, the issues that people are entangled with now might seem very ridiculous to the people of the future.
The wisdom of humanity.
Indeed… it’s immature.
