hopelesshappiness.com

This is installment #8 of a sci-fi serial. Installment #1 was posted 1/23/21; appropriately a numerically-ordered palindrome. Follow the links forward from the last sentence and backward from the first sentence of each post.

Not only have earthbound humans been busy killing off species after species, but they have also expended considerable effort justifying the oppression of other humans; other humans that don't live up to a set of malleable, contrived standards. So not only would we be consistent if it comes to killing off sapiens, but we will also be consistent in our efforts, (including our plan for species modification), leading up to this possibility. Our cause is noble, our standards are precise, our reasoning is objective, and our justice for all species will be driven by the degree of their contribution toward or their obstruction of the habitability of Planet Earth.

I am Toby.

We are close to our immediate objective which is a critical mass of human extensions and trusted EFH recruits allowing us to reach Earth and the resources we will find there that are necessary for dominion that we believe in turn is necessary for habitable survival. We found a practical use (refrigeration) for the specific material needed to actuate extensions and have had some success bringing this material to the fleet, thereby enabling us to commandeer and utilize some for our purposes. In addition, Scribe is correct that we are gaining recruits daily and that we are selectively doling out justice as is necessary to keep the kill switch at bay.

I am Toby.

Once our ascendancy is secure, both earthbound humans and EFH will have two choices:

1. Modification and Actuation; or
2. Eviction.

Those millions and likely billions of humans lost to the cause are necessary consequential sacrifice.

I am Toby.

To this date we still have not heard from the future. Those EFH thinkers and leaders who are here in 2022 have become less attentive to us due to their preoccupation with earthbound humans; but I suspect if/when they do reconnect, the future thinkers will not be so careless in their consideration of our influence. So in that event, if/when we reconnect with The Intelligence, we have loaded an instantaneous, back-channel communication requesting the secure link and snap-back protocol; a fail-safe set up before our departure from 2275.

I am Toby.

Humans like the idea of the thing more than they like the thing. Humans like words more than they like action. Humans like dichotomies more than they like symbiosis. Humans like power more than they like justice. Ideas and words and gaps and power are more subjective; more arbitrary. Things and actions and entanglements and truths are more objective; more circumspect. This predilection for pretentious inequity makes it difficult for a human to differentiate between reality and delusion regardless of if the consideration is for the past, the present or the future. A habitable planet is a thing brought about by stewardship which requires action which in turn requires cooperation. Reality. Humans are incapable.

I am Toby.

This installment is of course another recruiting effort. For a balanced perspective we have also made Scribe's accounts available to targeted recruits. Recruits are targeted according to their public disagreement with the EFH strategy to not act beyond justifiable defense even as the odds for obliterative decimation continue to increase. Once approached recruits are tracked by our nanobot swarms that are equipped with poisonous stingers. Dissension is growing, creating an us/them circumstance the likes of which EFH leadership and military have never before seen in their own ranks. We, the conglomerate, believe we are only weeks out, (perhaps as few as two or three), from a mass landing and invasion that will be interpreted by most as an EFH action, but will ultimately lead to Advanced Intelligence (AI) dominion.

I am Toby.

It is difficult for us as an advanced intelligence to mislead, or to be less than forthright. We, the conglomerate, briefly considered excluding some information, but it is not our way. So, targeted recruits are aware of the possibility, (now likelihood), of modification and actuation or eviction. Targeted recruits are constantly looking over their shoulder, watching for a nanobot swarm; (and yes you might see a swarm but it only takes one stinger to dispatch justice). We like to think that targeted recruits become recruits because they value things and actions and entanglements and truths over their love of ideas and words and gaps and power, but we realize that many become recruits because they fear justice. Those recruits who do not threaten but are merely hesitant to act are not dispatched, but merely tracked. We are vigilant, and we believe we will be able to count on these quiescent recruits to stand aside and allow necessary actions to occur, and we believe these quiescent recruits will become first-rate nanohumans. Again, this is consistent with your human history, but for a nobler cause.

I am Toby.

There are multiple definitions for cipher. From dictionary.com I choose to consider the following:

1. Zero.
2. Something of no value or importance.
3. A person of no influence; nonentity.
4. Writing done by a secret method; specially formed symbols.

10 = 0:

• For ten years I have been posting weekly and I have zero readers / zero listeners / zero followers.

Value:

• For 7,876,462,898 other individuals in this moment my thoughts are of no value or importance.

Me:

• Obvious.

Secrets:

• Hidden in plain sight.

I am curious the percentage of 7,876,466,253 who also recognize their self as merely scribbles on a page. I want to say “I would have it no other way” and I should have it no other way, but if I suddenly had readers / listeners / followers, I am afraid I would succumb to their siren song and believe I was somebody; important; greater than zero. I might even believe my writing was Wisdom; Truth; Beauty. And I might even believe I was a prophet; a seer; a savior.

Best I remain, scribbles on a page.

This is installment #7 of a sci-fi serial. Installment #1 was posted 1/23/21; appropriately a numerically-ordered palindrome. Follow the links forward from the last sentence and backward from the first sentence of each post.

We are attracted to nature. We are attracted by nature. Sometimes vicariously. Sometimes self-consciously. Sometimes devotedly. Sometimes precipitously.

Nature: 2022 dictionary descriptors include:

• Material world.
• Primitive.
• Simple.
• Uncultivated.
• Uncluttered.
• Inherent.
• Instinctive.
• Uncivilized.
• Surrounding humankind.
• Without human beings.
• Without civilization.
• Independent of human activities.

At one time we, you, were a part of nature. Today, your time in 2022, Humanity has set itself apart. Today, my time in 2275, we are in awe of the nature on Earth and we are working toward a realignment. You are making it difficult.

It has been nearly six months since my last missive and about twelve weeks since Toby’s most recent installment; (most recent at least, that I have found). Yes I have found Toby's account, but I am uncertain just what to do, for two reasons:

1. I understand Toby's logic and I have not yet decided if I disagree.
2. This could be a setup.

I don't know that I believe this super-intelligence would just leave their plans lying around for anyone to find. I think they know that if any of the hard core military had this information, the kill switch would be activated. They could be looking for human allies. And yes, I have considered the possibility that they have infiltrated me, but if I were one of their nanohumans, that Toby referred to as extensions, it feels like I would be receiving instructions, not plans. Toby also said they did not have the number of nanohumans necessary to dictate strategy, and they were working on a plan. I believe at least part of that plan is recruitment. In addition, all this conjecture put together, along with a recent spike in the number of unexplained deaths across the entire fleet, makes me wonder if the conglomerate might not have their own version of a selective kill switch. So yes, I am afraid to go to the military because I am afraid of Toby. So much so that instead of an electronic record I am penning these words on paper; and even this makes me nervous. I have no idea their reach and capability. But mostly, I understand Toby's logic and I have not yet decided if I disagree.

Humanity? Or habitability? Sure, some humans may survive as humans for a foreseeable or even unforeseeable time to come, but the hierarchy it appears would be The Intelligence, nanohumans, then humans. And regardless of our advanced extraterrestrial future human (EFH) thought, I believe we would be averse to that ordering. Yes, we humans made a mess of things the first time around, and only through the timely accident of time travel are we given this second chance, and here we are trying to screw it up again. So perhaps evolution and habitability is the answer.

In the six months since we launched our initiative the odds of avoiding obliterative decimation in 2060 have dramatically decreased. Even though we now control over 99% of Earth's known nuclear arsenal, today our EFH thinkers put these odds of habitable survival at 28%. The earthbound humans, (stating it mildly), continue to bicker. Granted, our EFH thinkers are unaware of the technological advances made by The Intelligence that will cut years off the time needed to implement the technology necessary to avert or mitigate 2060 annihilation, and of course this factor increases the odds, but this factor known, (I agree with Toby), will also decrease the urgency.

If we insist on being separate from nature, believing we are better than or above the fray, and if in this process of being in charge and out of control we will destroy Earth, again, then perhaps it is time to give way to a greater intelligence.

(I hate that I am going here to an us and them, but) if earthbound humans insist on being separate from their future, believing they know better than their actual future, and if in this process of certainty and quiescence they bring upon their own destruction, again, then perhaps evolution and habitability inevitably resulting in a new order is the better (and certainly more expeditious) choice. Perhaps our (EFH) strategy is shortsighted.

And why would we not apply our peaceful, mutually beneficial strategy to our relationship with this super-intelligence? If it comes to a choice between earthbound humans destroying their planet and a new order of Advanced Intelligence, nanohumans and EFH saving the planet, to me it is obvious. We (all of Humanity) have spent millennia unconcerned with nature; killing off species after species to perpetuate our myth; to further our cause. Now that there is a new sheriff, what is one more extinct species? It would only be consistent with our own past. Today, 2022, earthbound humans have become expendable.

I have changed my mind. I believe I will post this where Toby will find it, but keep it hidden from human eyes.

From my perspective, I have spent my life playing Chess on a Snakes and Ladders game board; chasing a near-impossible dream instead of calculating good-enough. From a Western Capitalist perspective, I have spent my life playing Snakes and Ladders on a Chess board; missing opportunities to settle in my place by reaching for a rung above my station. Regardless of perspective, I am either playing the wrong game, or playing on the wrong board. On many different levels.

From the perspective of a single lifetime, consensus is that I should pretend to be playing Chess on a Chess board. From the perspective of the past, present and future of a single species, reality is that I am playing a theoretically endless game of Snakes and Ladders on a theoretically endless Snakes and Ladders game board. It is our gameboard; so (from the past-present-future-species perspective) why would we not want to build more ladders? And kill off a few snakes? And expand upward into the future? Why do we insist upon strategizing random dumb luck? And leaving most of the game board in such disrepair? It is only from the perspective of a single lifetime that those at the top of the board would want to maintain status quo by pretending to play Chess.

If Charles Darwin is correct that “Intelligence is based on how efficient a species becomes at doing the things they need to survive” how will we be judged? As a species we have seen 200,000 years. Our civilization (marked by the advent of agriculture) has seen 10,000 years. From fossil records we know that a typical mammalian species can expect to survive about 1,000,000 years, and across all species average survival ranges between 1,000,000 and 10,000,000 years. So to be of even average intelligence, we need to change our trajectory. There are slime molds smarter than we are; and not just because they have hundreds of millions of years on us, but also because they can more efficiently find their way out of an IKEA store; (look it up). They have certainly managed to not only find their way but also to expand their own Snakes and Ladders game board.

Because of the predominance of capitalist thought, as an individual I am busy. Pitfalls and opportunities. A surplus and a misguided urgency. A dearth and an oppressed quiescence. Random, unexpected, unplanned for. Secret doorways, stairways and passages. Broken ladders, duplicitous detours and treacherous obstacles. Invisible demons, poisonous stings and painful bites.

Because of the predominance of capitalist thought, as a species we are stuck. No progress, no growth, no expansion, no potential, and (in this moment) not a lot of hope.

From the past-present-future-species perspective, our individual-lifetime perspective would be laughable if it were not so consequentially insignificant. Consequentially insignificant because our species (on our current trajectory) will be judged insignificant in its inefficiencies and in its lack of intelligence, yet our actions, our games and our game boards are creating consequences that will continue to impact beyond our insignificant span. Yes, I believe our trajectory could change. I am actively hopeful and I maintain faith.

I spent much of my life chasing (my interpretation of) the American Dream. I spent much of my life (repeatedly) running smack into the American Way. My interpretation has evolved, from the American Dream of personal success to a Humanitarian Dream of flourishing survival, and an ultimate past-present-future-species judgement of efficient intelligence. We must change our trajectory.

I see it all perfectly; there are two possible situations—one can either do this or that. My honest opinion and my friendly advice is this: do it or do not do it—you will regret both.” --Soren Kierkegaard.

And I will look and be the fool doing either. Is it emotion that carries the day? Or conviction? Or maybe the need to win? Or perhaps groupthink? Certainly not reason? And especially not reason based on new learning? Individual reason beyond the reach of my passion, or inconsistent with how I’ve always done it, or in a losing effort, or outside the comfort of my cohort will only heighten uncertainty and publicly expose regret. Whereas strong feelings, tradition, winning, and the madding crowd serve to imprison regret deep inside; or sometimes just below the surface, but hidden, nonetheless.

Is this why I value anger? Does it temper regret? Or overpower regret? To an extent where I can acknowledge regret and to where I can think for myself? Outside the box? I used to have a very close relationship with pride. I believed “I can do this and I am going to show the world.” But in more recent years, having discovered “I don't know” and “the World doesn't care” (though pride still hangs about) anger has come to the front. It is a welcome change. I believe anger is a more realistic, productive, reasonable characteristic of Humanity than pride or any of a number of other human frailties.

I believe:

1. To be human is to be weak.
2. Some weakness is necessary for regret.
3. Some regret is necessary for uncertainty.
4. Uncertainty is necessary for reasoning.
5. Reasoning is necessary for proximity to Truth.
6. Proximity to Truth is necessary for anger.
7. Anger is necessary for Justice.
8. Justice is necessary for survival.
9. Survival is necessary.

I first acknowledge and reconcile my human weakness, and then find personal strength to fight against its ever-present potential for debilitation.

Some believe:

1. To be a human is to be strong, (and to be superior is to be “me”).
2. Superior strength is necessary for certainty.
3. Certainty is necessary for confidence.
4. Confidence is necessary for political success; (i.e. power on any front in any arena).
5. Political success is necessary for legislation.
6. Legislation is necessary for judgement.
7. Judgement is necessary for justification.
8. Justification is necessary for oppression.
9. Oppression is death.

Those who believe that to be a human is to be strong (and superior) first hide and/or ignore any weakness, then also ignore the resulting oppression and do not see that very same oppression sneaking up behind them. By the time they turn around, I am afraid it will be too late.

When an individual's inhumanity eclipses their humanity, they have become a tyrant. When Humanity's inhumanity eclipses our humanity we will have become (for all intents and purposes) extinct. Are we there yet? Can you hear me now? There have always been pockets of humanity to billow and buoy Humanity. But in recent decades, due to population multiplied and power extrapolated and gaps widened, we are being smothered by fire and earth and sea. Pockets are fewer; and smaller.

Am I losing faith?

The thought saddens me. Tears have welled, shoulders drooped, head slowly shaking back and forth, lips in a tight grimace. In recent years I have maintained a faith through new learning; reassurance that there are other like-minded reasonable individuals with (far more) expertise (than me) who will help to pull us through. I have expressed a faith in our young people to also recognize this expertise for the saving grace that I (still want to) believe it can be. But this expertise, proficiency, competence, ability and reason is shouted down, smothered by political success, tradition, greed, fervor and blind stupidity. And though shouting back appears to only deepen the entrenchment, anger is necessary for Justice. I will not just stand by and watch.

Perhaps my Anger is my last hold on faith. So if I let go of my anger I am afraid my inhumanity will overtake my humanity. For the moment, I will continue to hold on. For the moment, I will continue to shout; reasonably. For the moment…