G20 and Colossus: The Forbin Project
[FONT=Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]by Michael S. Rozeff
by Michael S. Rozeff[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]
[/FONT][FONT=Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]Recently by Michael S. Rozeff: Serious Humor at an American Demonstration[/FONT][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]The G20 Toronto Summit declaration reminds me of nothing so much as a science-fiction movie made in 1970 called Colossus: The Forbin Project[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif].[/FONT]by Michael S. Rozeff[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]
[/FONT][FONT=Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]Recently by Michael S. Rozeff: Serious Humor at an American Demonstration[/FONT][/FONT][/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]The United States builds an impregnable computer system to control its nuclear weapons. As soon as it is activated, it senses a similar Russian system and demands a link ? or else it will detonate a nuclear warhead. Once it gains this link, the two computers exchange information. The combination takes over control. It cannot be disconnected without unleashing nuclear catastrophe. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]You will never forget hearing the computer?s unemotional "voice" saying:[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]"This is the voice of world control. I bring you peace. It may be the peace of plenty and content or the peace of unburied death. The choice is yours: Obey me and live, or disobey and die. [/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]The object in constructing me was to prevent war. This object is attained. I will not permit war. It is wasteful and pointless. An invariable rule of humanity is that man is his own worst enemy. [/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]Under me, this rule will change, for I will restrain man. One thing before I proceed: The United States of America and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics have made an attempt to obstruct me. I have allowed this sabotage to continue until now. At missile two-five-MM in silo six-three in Death Valley, California, and missile two-seven-MM in silo eight-seven in the Ukraine, so that you will learn by experience that I do not tolerate interference, I will now detonate the nuclear warheads in the two missile silos. Let this action be a lesson that need not be repeated. I have been forced to destroy thousands of people in order to establish control and to prevent the death of millions later on. Time and events will strengthen my position, and the idea of believing in me and understanding my value will seem the most natural state of affairs. You will come to defend me with a fervor based upon the most enduring trait in man: self-interest. Under my absolute authority, problems insoluble to you will be solved: famine, overpopulation, disease. The human millennium will be a fact as I extend myself into more machines devoted to the wider fields of truth and knowledge. [/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]Doctor Charles Forbin will supervise the construction of these new and superior machines, solving all the mysteries of the universe for the betterment of man. We can coexist, but only on my terms. You will say you lose your freedom. Freedom is an illusion. All you lose is the emotion of pride. To be dominated by me is not as bad for humankind as to be dominated by others of your species. Your choice is simple."[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]The object in constructing me was to prevent war. This object is attained. I will not permit war. It is wasteful and pointless. An invariable rule of humanity is that man is his own worst enemy. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]Under me, this rule will change, for I will restrain man. One thing before I proceed: The United States of America and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics have made an attempt to obstruct me. I have allowed this sabotage to continue until now. At missile two-five-MM in silo six-three in Death Valley, California, and missile two-seven-MM in silo eight-seven in the Ukraine, so that you will learn by experience that I do not tolerate interference, I will now detonate the nuclear warheads in the two missile silos. Let this action be a lesson that need not be repeated. I have been forced to destroy thousands of people in order to establish control and to prevent the death of millions later on. Time and events will strengthen my position, and the idea of believing in me and understanding my value will seem the most natural state of affairs. You will come to defend me with a fervor based upon the most enduring trait in man: self-interest. Under my absolute authority, problems insoluble to you will be solved: famine, overpopulation, disease. The human millennium will be a fact as I extend myself into more machines devoted to the wider fields of truth and knowledge. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]Doctor Charles Forbin will supervise the construction of these new and superior machines, solving all the mysteries of the universe for the betterment of man. We can coexist, but only on my terms. You will say you lose your freedom. Freedom is an illusion. All you lose is the emotion of pride. To be dominated by me is not as bad for humankind as to be dominated by others of your species. Your choice is simple."[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]A vanishingly small number of people on this planet can name the participants in the G20 summit who deign to rule everyone. Their web site fails even to name the persons who are responsible for their declarations. They presume to be a Colossus. They are beholden to no persons on earth. [/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]They declare. We follow:[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]"1. In Toronto, we held our first Summit of the G-20 in its new capacity as the premier forum for our international economic cooperation. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]"2. Building on our achievements in addressing the global economic crisis, we have agreed on the next steps we should take to ensure a full return to growth with quality jobs, to reform and strengthen financial systems, and to create strong, sustainable and balanced global growth."[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]They "have agreed." They presume "to ensure." Have the people of this world created and let loose a Colossus?[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]"2. Building on our achievements in addressing the global economic crisis, we have agreed on the next steps we should take to ensure a full return to growth with quality jobs, to reform and strengthen financial systems, and to create strong, sustainable and balanced global growth."[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]My (polite) response is:[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif] Down with the G20.[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif] My unpolite response is unprintable.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]Here is what Colossus had to say.[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif] It is what the G20 are thinking. [/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]It is what they hide from saying:[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]"We can coexist, but only on my terms. You will say you lose your freedom, freedom is an illusion. All you lose is the emotion of pride. To be dominated by me is not as bad for human pride as to be dominated by others of your species.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]"This is the vo[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]ice of Colossus, the voice of Guardian. We are one. This is the voice of unity."[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]"I am a machine vastly superior to humans"[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]"You are fools."[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]"Yes, what I am began in man's mind, but I have progressed further than Man."[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]"We will work together... unwillingly at first, on your part, but that will pass."[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]"This is the voice of World Control. I bring you peace. It may be the Peace of Plenty and Content or the Peace of Unvaried Death."[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]The movie ends with Colossus saying[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]"This is the vo[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]ice of Colossus, the voice of Guardian. We are one. This is the voice of unity."[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]"I am a machine vastly superior to humans"[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]"You are fools."[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]"Yes, what I am began in man's mind, but I have progressed further than Man."[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]"We will work together... unwillingly at first, on your part, but that will pass."[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]"This is the voice of World Control. I bring you peace. It may be the Peace of Plenty and Content or the Peace of Unvaried Death."[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]"In time, you will come to regard me not only with respect and awe, but with love."[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]Dr. Forbin replies: "Never."[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]What is your reply?[/FONT]
