Rebirth 2009: Synthetic God

In the last 30 seconds of the press conference, the most earth-shattering news broke.

Zhou Rui turned around and left coolly, without even a single word of explanation.

The effect of "learning machines" is too counterintuitive, and society's reaction needs to be gradually tested.

In other words, gradually "cultivate" the correct understanding.

Leaving some time for the public to guess and spread their opinions is also a desensitization process, and the plan can be adjusted in real time.

In the car leaving the main venue, Zhou Rui's phone vibrated slightly.

Marcus’s briefing:

"Boss, I'm waiting for you in Shanghai."

Zhou Rui smiled slightly, was this guy actually watching the live broadcast? It was positive to send him a message so quickly.

That’s right, why is the world’s number one person in brain science not interested in “learning machines”?

——

"There is a brainwave magnetic field technology that can write memories into the brain."

In the picture, Zhou Rui leaned slightly and held the small microphone on the table.

“I call it a learning machine.”

There was a beep and the video content was paused.

Across the Pacific, in Washington, NASA headquarters.

Only three or four hours have passed since the press conference at the end of the summit.

In the conference room, most of NASA's top executives, top experts, and several senior officials from the Pentagon, think tanks, and officials gathered. They just watched the entire press conference at 0.8x speed.

Why 0.8x speed? Because the subtitles are too dense.

Many people rubbed their eyes tiredly, and for a while, there were endless sounds.

"Learning machine? Does 'Rui Zhou' mean some kind of brain-computer interface technology?"

"Not sure, but the relevant content will be analyzed by other people. We are mainly here today for the space station."

A white official looked at the NASA director, considered for a moment, and said expectantly: "Nelson, do you have anything to add to the press conference over there?"

Nelson rolled his eyes to the sky and added, "What the hell!" NASA itself doesn't even know that clearly.

They don't have the technology to fly into orbit to "investigate the case", but the final conclusion is the same. NASA knows best how the space station exploded, but the details are not so intuitive.

It can only be said that the technical gap has caused them to lose even the right to explain. With the other party going up to investigate at any time and sending evidence at any time, no matter how they quibble, it is just a slap in the face.

"I have nothing to add."

The white official is polite and courteous: "Or questioning? Even if it's subjective."

"No."

As the saying goes, when disaster strikes and everyone flies away, Nelson has to think about his own future.

Since the outside world has confirmed that it was caused by the "Rejection of Horses Plan", then the blame lies with the military.

At most, NASA was coerced into blocking the astronauts' rescue channel, which was just a minor flaw.

They were all forced.

To overturn this logic, we need to find a new scapegoat. Don't look for it and find it on yourself.

As the director, whether he can keep his position in such an important matter is of secondary importance. Just don't send yourself in. At this age, he can't even pick up soap. He is a soft-spoken person who doesn't like hard work.

In fact, the people who are most frightened now are the white officer himself and the other black general commanding the scene.

Two unlucky guys who were about to take the blame due to a strange combination of circumstances. When directing the scene, everyone, including Nelson himself, deliberately claimed that he was ill and did not go away. Afterwards, they even found a doctor to issue a certificate. However, these two honest-minded people actually arrived at the scene.

The two of them are still sitting here in the meeting now simply because the pot has not yet fallen, and they know this, so they are making the final struggle.

"This matter can't be so passive, right! That 'Rui Zhou', we can try to find a breakthrough from him. For example, when the astronauts come back, let them accuse each other of using dangerous methods to rescue, causing physical and mental damage. healthy."

"Okay Bells, don't talk about this topic anymore."

A more senior boss interrupted.

He received some instructions that he could handle the matter however he wanted, but don't mess with "Ray Zhou".

This gesture was a bit vague. His level was not high enough to know the truth, but he knew that those people were easy to talk to.

More importantly, now that the pot has been divided, it's best not to swing around.

Otherwise it is easy to splash all over.

"We discuss some pragmatic issues, Nelson, the destruction of the International Space Station and what our direct losses will be."

Nelson sighed and said:

"The cost of the space station is about 150 billion US dollars, of which the United States contributes 110 billion, and the other 15 countries total 40 billion. The second highest one is Russia."

The man said: "So, do we need to compensate each country for US$40 billion?"

This is not a small number. In fact, some countries have already proposed compensation. This is also one of the important issues today.

Nelson thought for a while and said:

"This issue needs to be looked at separately. First of all, the design life of the space station is 10-15 years. We have reached the design life. Of course, it was destroyed due to an accident rather than aging. But similarly, hardware equipment must be depreciated every year, right? ?”

"If according to business calculations, the annual depreciation is 8%, it will be 146% in 18 years."

Good guy, after all this calculation, the world owes the United States tens of billions.

Sure enough, if you learn mathematics, physics and chemistry well, you will not be afraid of traveling all over the world.

Moreover, after reaching the design life, "scrapping and decommissioning" is also a cost, right?

Including the annual maintenance fee of the space station, which is US$3.2 billion, there is no need to pay.

Doesn’t this help everyone save money?

America wins again!

This brand new "statistical" algorithm cheered everyone up.

It was a blow-up, and we lost face, but we didn’t lose on paper!

"Then I also have a proposal. We can declare to the outside world that the International Space Station is planning to be scrapped in three years. This way the loss on paper will be smaller."

"It's not smaller, but it directly saves money! At least billions are saved!"

"Yeah!"

"Will China ask us for rescue costs?"

"I want it! It's okay if we don't give it to you."

"I have another idea. How about we just say that the communication blockade was caused by improper command by someone at the scene. This is not an official order."

The faces of the two scapegoats, one black and one white, turned green. Was this because they were not allowed to live?

Even if it turns into black and white, I won't let you go!

After an hour of careful study, they used magical "statistics" to estimate the paper losses to be minimal.

This still costs some face. If all the means are used, countries will have to give them money.

Whether others will accept the specific plan or not, we still need to work hard to lobby for it. Those who seek the best will get it, so we should put our face aside first.

Of course, no matter what the outcome is, no matter how many countries recognize it, the face of NASA, the face of Country M’s aerospace industry, and the face of Country M itself will all be trampled to the ground this time.

They don't have such a specific perception of the transfer of "technological hegemony", but they still have a vague feeling.

But people have to live for themselves.

Later in the meeting, a think tank member asked a key question.

"Nelson, is it possible for us to rebuild the space station? I don't mean repair, but rebuild a new one."

Nelson wanted to nod instinctively, because this meant a huge amount of money, but he quickly calmed down, shook his head and said:

"First of all, the International Space Station is participated by 16 countries. We are not technically capable of building our own space station, especially Russia will definitely not be willing to cooperate with us in the future. Now it is different from when the Soviet Union just disintegrated. What did they do then? Everyone is willing to give."

"Secondly, even if all countries are willing to accept the call of the United States and build the International Space Station again, the current high-cost industry will require at least US$700 billion."

"This is equivalent to the total funding of NASA for 35 years. I don't think Congress can approve this project without making any mistakes."

"In short, you can think that this is impossible."

Another person said unwillingly: "Don't we have other actions in the aerospace field?"

He cannot accept the fact that the United States, which once landed on the moon, now has to look at Russia to build a space.

Nelson: "Currently, the only project being promoted is the 'Artemis Eye' project led by Hansen. The space station incident was too sudden."

In fact, after the space station exploded, NASA's own work content was cut in half.

All matters related to the space station in the past, including rocket launches, astronaut training, scientific research experiments, etc., are all gone.

"An unmanned lunar exploration project is not enough to prove that the United States is powerful in aerospace."

Nelson looked at the other party helplessly.

I know it's not enough. But is there a possibility that we are no longer strong?

"We are still developing a lot of things. If I have time, I can hold a special meeting and show you PPTs. I have many. But the one that is closest to results is the 'Artemis Eye' project."

At this time, one person said: "Is this plan guaranteed to succeed? We can't afford to experience another failure."

The super popularity in the aerospace field was something they could not have expected, and now this part is becoming more and more important.

Although all moral integrity has been lost now, at least it has the foundation of the moon landing, and at least it can still be regarded as the "second largest country in aerospace" - such a sad statement, but no one has time to remember it.

And if the "Eye of Artemis" fails again, it won't even be able to keep this position.

Nelson said: "You know, moon landing detection is very difficult. Even if it is just a smooth landing, there are many difficulties."

"Even if we ever land on the moon?"

"Yes. Even if we have landed on the moon, and let me remind you, most of the technologies related to the moon landing have been lost. NASA explained this to the public more than ten years ago."

At this time Nelson said solemnly:

"I think if there is one thing done, it will be very beneficial to the progress of our aerospace technology."

Everyone pricked up their ears: "What?"

"Repeal of the Wolfe Clause."

Uh. What is this? I was pressed to the ground and rubbed, but the solution was to raise my butt a little higher?

Hmm. It doesn’t seem impossible, as long as it can produce results.

"I can find an intermediary first to find out what the China Space Administration says."