King of All I Survey
Chapter 142: The Great Importance of Brussel Sprouts

Chapter 142: The Great Importance of Brussel Sprouts

"So, there’s no way to contain or compartmentalize such a consciousness? I mean, could you prevent it from spreading out through the entire universe, and maybe be kept localized?" I asked although I knew the answer based on the advanced physics Joe had implanted in my brain.

"No, at the level we are talking about, there is no clear distinction between one location in space time and all the others. It would be like trying to compartmentalize a single thing. Either it’s in the compartment or it isn’t, you can’t have a part of it in and a part of it out. Even if you can have it both inside and out at the same time, it’s not a portion in either place, it’s the entire thing in both places, fully entangled."

"So, only a consciousness like yours could actually have any chance of breaking through from one universe into the next, and any consciousness like that would be too smart to do it." I was trying to find some excuse to feel safe.

"Yes, unless that consciousness were originally created in a way that allowed the species that initiated it to control it. Then, the choice would be theirs."

"But, Joe, what I think I heard was that no such consciousness can exist outside of the structure of the universe, and that the structure of the universe itself, gives rise to the emergent consciousness. Which means every universe already has a wise, all-knowing, all-powerful consciousness that should realize it needs to prevent its residence species from getting too far along in any effort to create another version. So, as long as all the original universal consciousnesses exist in good working order, there is no risk."

"Right, it’s only that last caveat that causes the problem. What if one of us becomes insane, suicidal, or delusional? It could purposely seek the unravelling of everything. I don’t think it could be stopped."

I shrugged. "Well, we can’t control what we can’t control, Joe. If there’s nothing we can do, then there’s no point in worrying about it. I mean, would we even know it happened? We’d just cease to exist, no warning. Just here one instant and gone the next. Meanwhile, I’ve still got to figure out what to have for lunch, based on the assumption that I’ll still exist at lunchtime."

"Perhaps, but if it might be your last lunch, you might choose ice cream over brussel sprouts," Joe suggested. Was he serious or joking? Sometimes it was really hard to tell when he was just an incorporeal voice.

"Sure, but if I assume I’m going to be here for lunch, then I have to assume I’m still going to be here when the consequences of my choices take effect. If I choose ice cream at every meal because every meal might be my last, then I’m just punishing my future self with bad health. In other words, if I act based on a worst case scenario, I’m reducing my best case scenarios and forcing my future into a worse and worse state."

"Who knew brussels sprouts were so important..." Joe mused.

"Well, Mom and Dad for one, I mean they’re always like ’eat your brussel sprouts, Timmy. They’re good for you’." I hoped that Joe was now wondering if I was joking or being serious.

"Anyway," I continued, "We can discuss the metaphysical import of cruciferous vegetables after we’ve conquered the world... or maybe between conquering the galaxy and conquering the universe, we’ll have to see how our scheduling plays out. Right now, we have to prepare for meeting Rafael as our alter-egos. Say, Joe, I’ve been thinking about Rafael and Guatemala."

"Good, you should be."

"No, I mean, reconsidering. I think we might be able to get President Arroyo to sign on to our Universal Earth Concord, after all. Then, there would be no need to risk putting Rafael in charge of the country."

"I see. I think he would see that as a betrayal, either a betrayal of Maribel by you, or a betrayal of himself by Maribel depending upon where he sees the decision originating. Either way, it’s likely to trigger his past trauma and cause quite serious regression in his therapy. Almost certainly he would react with anger and violence," Joe opined.

"He wouldn’t be violent toward Maribel, would he?"

"No. He would likely strike out more broadly, against us, or against Arroyo, or just go back to putting himself first without regard for the effect his actions have on others."

"If he started rallying people against the Universal Earth Concord, that could be inconvenient." What would I do? I could stop him, of course, but should I stop free speech? That seemed like a cowardly thing for the Supreme Ruler of the Entire Earth Solar System and Nearby Space to do. No, I decided that I’d deal with protest by presenting better arguments, rather than by force. Violence, on the other hand, would be dealt with differently.

"So, how should we proceed?" Joe asked.

"Keep Rafael in his simulation room therapy for a bit longer," I told him. "Let me see the Universal Earth Concord Constitution so we can get that finalized. Then, we, my adult self and you as Maribel’s father, go talk with Arroyo. We share our vision of a world without war, without poverty, with health care for everyone, and all the benefits we want to bring. We suggest that Guatemala as one of the first countries signing on, might have s stronger influence. It would certainly gain a larger role on the world stage. I’m thinking we’ll eventually need an Earth Council or something to deal with local planetary issues and whatnot. He could have a seat there, representing Guatemala. Maybe, we rotate country heads on the council, but certain founding nations get a permanent seat?"

Hoe sighed out loud, "Now I’m going to have to revise the entire document." He complained.

"Sorry..."

"Ok, finished. I’ll implant the revised version now, if you’re ready to review it."

"OK, meanwhile, see if you can get us an appointment with Arroyo set up. If there’s trouble getting time today, tell him it’s urgent and concerns the future of his country."

"Acknowledged."

I read through the Universal Earth Concord that I had Joe draw up based on our conversations about basic human rights, centralized governance, and Earth’s eventual role as a political and economic powerhouse of the universe. It included a basic framework of the economic system of licensing used throughout the galaxy and my vision for Earth’s own licensing authority to outcompete the Galactic Union’s system. A distribution arrangement for the trade income generated allotting shares to member nations, while keeping the amounts allocated for non-members in escrow until they willingly joined the Concord. It was really more than a constitution. It was an entire code of law. It even detailed crimes and punishments (which were divided between therapy whenever possible and capital punishment for hopeless cases). "Joe, strike the part about capital punishment. Leave it indistinct, I’m wondering about the possibility of exile to uninhabited planets for the violent people who can’t be corrected through imprint therapy, so let’s leave that open for now."

"Acknowledged, new version being sent to you now."

"That’s better," I said. The review process was faster than you’d think. I didn’t really have to read it. Joe used memory implanting to directly put the entire text into my head. As soon as it was implanted, I ’remembered’ the whole document, including the context, cited documents, and any other references needed for a full understanding. The knowledge had basic cross-link to other parts of my memory so that a ’natural’ recall and processing of concepts could occur. As I used the information and thought about it, new linkages would develop and strengthen, making the information a more integral part of my knowledge reservoir.

"I think it looks good," I concluded. "It allows for changes to be made by either myself directly or a weighted council of representatives, but either way gives me final yes or no decision-making over those changes, to guard against demagoguery. That’s good, but I want some parts to be unchangeable, even by me. Separate out the parts that spell out the basic rights of every individual, inviolate unless they commit violence, the concept of equitable allocation of government funds for the benefit of the people, and to make available under equal terms the benefits and technologies available to the Concord to everyone- excluding weaponry and items that have clear military or highly dangerous applications, the obligation of the Universal Earth Concord to protect all members from war-like acts by outside parties and to prevent internal warring. Put all of these under a non-changeable section..."

"Even without such a designation, only you could approve such changes as it is already written," Joe reminded me.

"I know, but I want it clear that even I can’t decide to take away basic rights from individuals. You and I know that I’m a good and wise king, but everyone else should have some kind of assurances beyond the good will of single person or group."

"Acknowledged, revised document sent."

"Yep, good. Am I overlooking anything?"

"You overlooked a lot, but I filled it in to the document based on what I know of your intentions and generally accepted galactic law practices. As it stands now, it is quite comprehensive."

"Hmmm... Without direct memory implant learning, it’s going to take Arroyo and his team of lawyers and advisors weeks to go through this and figure out if it’s in their best interests, Joe. I don’t really want to wait that long. Then they’ll want to make adjustments, and we’ll have that whole back and forth... What do you think about using direct memory implant for him and few select advisors or the heads of other government branches?"

"It’s up to you, with their permission, there’s no issue from my perspective. I can implant it an as many people as you need."

"OK, we’ll plan for that at our meeting."

"So you decided to side-line Rafael?" Joe asked.

"I think Arroyo is a better choice," I said. "I have another idea to redirect Rafael that might be better suited to his direct action approach to things."

"What do you have in mind?"

"We’ll talk about it later. If Arroyo and the rest of the Guatemalan Government doesn’t go for the deal, we may have to try to get Rafael elected anyway. Right now though, I think we were talking about ice cream for lunch?"

"I though it was brussel sprouts?" Joe countered.

"Hmmm, maybe a hamburger and fries with garlic-roasted brussels sprouts..."

"An excellent choice, King Tim."

A minute later, I was sitting in the kitchen area of the living quarters, taking my lunch from a floating tray which had carried it from the food synthesizer, and planning out how to get Guatemala on board as the first member nation of the Universal Earth Concord.

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