Read Online Futureland - Nine Stories of an Imminent World by Walter Mosley - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Walter Mosley
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change in gait in 2031. RadCon's doctors said that this was due to the weight gain, but Ptolemy was not sure. He told Akwande that he didn't know which leg, but one of them held the computer that informed the eye.
__________
"It's the future of intelligence," the young man explained. "Chromo-circuitry custom designed for the receiver, and a highly advanced computer built into his body. A computer this size, five or six pounds, could retain nearly all of the information in any particular field with a faster-than-thought delivery system."
"So he's virtually omniscient?"
"The monocle receives information from either the computer or a remote source. That way he can also be in constant communication with his network. No one could outthink him, all other things being equal."
"What does that mean?"
"He might receive information that he doesn't understand. He might receive false information. But considering advances in AI systems that isn't very likely."
"Which leg would the computer be in?"
"I don't know. But you could tell by the way he lands on it in vigorous exercise. A little more of a jolt on the heavier side."
"You want me to ask him to do jumping jacks?"
"I'm just telling you what I know, M," the youth replied. "There's only so much I can do locked up in a cage."
"I know. I'm sorry. Keep strong, brother."
__________
"I am a collector, sir," Dr. Kismet was saying.
"And what is it that you collect?"
"The fruit of human advancement, the best of the best of mankind." Kismet's use of the old term referring to humanity was a serious breach of good manners, further proof of his megalomania. "The finest art and relics of the pinnacles of history grace my lower halls. Atlantis is populated with the greatest scientists, artists, and artisans of our times."
"You claim to own people?"
"Not own, collect. We are very civilized about it. We supply a domicile and a stipend, all stipulated in a mutually agreed upon contract. They are free to travel and seek profit through personal endeavors. All I ask is to be able to request their labor at various times."
"And what does that have to do with me?"
"I want you in my collection, M Akwande."
"Me?"
"Don't be modest. You were a great coup for the Sixth Radical Congress. Without you they would have spiraled into anarchic disaster. It was you who redefined their political agenda. This after an impressive career in archaeology. And, if I am not wrong, you were ranked twelfth in the world as a Go master at the age of twenty-one."
"You are well informed, Doctor. But why settle for twelfth when you could seek out the prime Go master?"
"Ton Li. He lives on the island, of course," Kismet said, waving a spurious hand. "Boring fellow, really. He knows little beyond strategy. And precious little of that outside the confines of his illegal ivory board." Ton Li had defeated Akwande in just six hours of play. "I am not for sale," Akwande said.
"What if I told you that the scientists in the Blue Zone had discovered a certain combination of oils, rendered from three distinct legumes, which replicate, almost exactly from a combustion standpoint, the attributes of petroleum?"
"I would buy your stocks for RadCon and forget my quest for financial support." Kismet smiled again. "If only I were going public. But alas, dear M, MacroCode has evolved past the primitive whims of the stock market. Our roots are deeper than any econsystem."
"Then," Akwande postulated, "I have no interest in your magic beans." This response brought laughter to the would-be Tsar's lips. Never in any vidclip, photograph, or written report had Akwande seen anything intimating that the madman was capable of laughter.
"You see?" Kismet said. "Your appreciation resonates with mine. You surprise me with your acuity and challenge me with your observations. And you understand people. Why spend all your time on the plight of those most of whom do not even know that you exist? Help me to organize off-planet colonization. Make
__________
"It's the future of intelligence," the young man explained. "Chromo-circuitry custom designed for the receiver, and a highly advanced computer built into his body. A computer this size, five or six pounds, could retain nearly all of the information in any particular field with a faster-than-thought delivery system."
"So he's virtually omniscient?"
"The monocle receives information from either the computer or a remote source. That way he can also be in constant communication with his network. No one could outthink him, all other things being equal."
"What does that mean?"
"He might receive information that he doesn't understand. He might receive false information. But considering advances in AI systems that isn't very likely."
"Which leg would the computer be in?"
"I don't know. But you could tell by the way he lands on it in vigorous exercise. A little more of a jolt on the heavier side."
"You want me to ask him to do jumping jacks?"
"I'm just telling you what I know, M," the youth replied. "There's only so much I can do locked up in a cage."
"I know. I'm sorry. Keep strong, brother."
__________
"I am a collector, sir," Dr. Kismet was saying.
"And what is it that you collect?"
"The fruit of human advancement, the best of the best of mankind." Kismet's use of the old term referring to humanity was a serious breach of good manners, further proof of his megalomania. "The finest art and relics of the pinnacles of history grace my lower halls. Atlantis is populated with the greatest scientists, artists, and artisans of our times."
"You claim to own people?"
"Not own, collect. We are very civilized about it. We supply a domicile and a stipend, all stipulated in a mutually agreed upon contract. They are free to travel and seek profit through personal endeavors. All I ask is to be able to request their labor at various times."
"And what does that have to do with me?"
"I want you in my collection, M Akwande."
"Me?"
"Don't be modest. You were a great coup for the Sixth Radical Congress. Without you they would have spiraled into anarchic disaster. It was you who redefined their political agenda. This after an impressive career in archaeology. And, if I am not wrong, you were ranked twelfth in the world as a Go master at the age of twenty-one."
"You are well informed, Doctor. But why settle for twelfth when you could seek out the prime Go master?"
"Ton Li. He lives on the island, of course," Kismet said, waving a spurious hand. "Boring fellow, really. He knows little beyond strategy. And precious little of that outside the confines of his illegal ivory board." Ton Li had defeated Akwande in just six hours of play. "I am not for sale," Akwande said.
"What if I told you that the scientists in the Blue Zone had discovered a certain combination of oils, rendered from three distinct legumes, which replicate, almost exactly from a combustion standpoint, the attributes of petroleum?"
"I would buy your stocks for RadCon and forget my quest for financial support." Kismet smiled again. "If only I were going public. But alas, dear M, MacroCode has evolved past the primitive whims of the stock market. Our roots are deeper than any econsystem."
"Then," Akwande postulated, "I have no interest in your magic beans." This response brought laughter to the would-be Tsar's lips. Never in any vidclip, photograph, or written report had Akwande seen anything intimating that the madman was capable of laughter.
"You see?" Kismet said. "Your appreciation resonates with mine. You surprise me with your acuity and challenge me with your observations. And you understand people. Why spend all your time on the plight of those most of whom do not even know that you exist? Help me to organize off-planet colonization. Make
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