英文版《科幻小品四则：中国vs美国、大筛子、元宇宙》

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原文《科幻小品四则：中国vs美国、大筛子、元宇宙》发布于2022年2月14日，本译文由“兔友” 刘重 志愿翻译。英文仅供参考，文义以中文正文为准。

Four Sci-Fi Pieces: China vs. the US, the Great Sieve, the Metaverse

by Chairman Rabbit

2022/02/14

The following work is a sketch moving from reality to science fiction

1. Chinese Exceptionalism

2. The Nightmare of SARS-COV-2

3. Unusual competition between earthlings, observations and universal logic as reported by aliens

4. The Metaverse

1. Division into separate groups, mutual misunderstandings, and mankind's unrecognized groups

People living in the Mainland quickly grew used to China's anti-pandemic measures quickly. They find the dynamic zero approach normal, the right choice, even common sense. Humankind can contain the SARS-COV-2 virus. Why must they coexist with them (stay tuned for more sincere questions)?

Containing the SARS-COV-2 virus, or coexistence... which is normal, and which is abnormal? Living in the Mainland, we are blinded, unable to feel the virus. We truly believe that the rest of the world can learn from our model, or with the support of vaccines and hospital systems, surpass our model. If they can't copy us, we think that something has gone wrong with them. For instance, are their governments powerless? Is this caused by a multiparty system? Or something else? In any case, to be unable to contain COVID-19 and coexisting with the deaths of tens of -- no -- hundreds of thousands of deaths is not normal, and is wrong.

Nevertheless, indeed, nowhere else in the world has bene able to accomplish what the Chinese Mainland has done. Nobody has been able to copy China's model; even if they copy a little bit, they can't in full. And if they can't copy China's model completely, they cannot do what China has done. When push comes to shove, it's because China's pandemic prevention efforts are extremely complicated, relying on China's systems of governance, structures of social organization, historym culture, values, and civilizational traditions. These things, are irreproducible.

Even while living in China, understanding the uniqueness of the Chinese model is no easy feat. One must approach the problem through historical, political, social, and cultural lenses. One must be hold an international outlook, have international experience, and view things in the context of a greater history.

The US does not understand China, or does it understand other countries. They believe that the American system and values are the unique in their superiority and correctness. Other countries and societies are barbaric, backwards, and wrong for respecting other systems and models. If they aren't stupid, they are wrong. They must be corrected under the guidance of the US; if they do not wake up, or if they dare to challenge the US, they must face corrective punishment.

This is a society of mutual understanding.

Chinese people are puzzled, "Ugh, why can't developed countries control the pandemic with their developed health systems?"

Westerners too, are confused, "Ugh, why can China control the pandemic?"

Those unfriendly and prejudiced towards China will even say:

Don't believe anything China says. It's all a cover-up!

And once they find out that China is in fact, not hiding their numbers and has indeed successfully contained COVID-19, they turn around and say:

China's pandemic prevention efforts have enormous hidden costs, costs that far outweigh the benefits. They're just not telling you!!

And once they find out that regardless of whether you look from an economic, social, or public health angle, the benefits of China's pandemic prevention system greatly outweighs the costs. In fact, China's system benefits other countries and reasons. And so, to once again deny China's accomplishments, they resort to ideology:

You can't just look at these cherrypicked results! China's system has damaged our core values! It violates human rights and freedoms. Give me liberty, or give me death! This system, even though it has saved a handful of lives, is immoral. It normalizes evil, a system most directly comparable to the Holocaust! While China may seem like it's saving lives, it's really killing them!(note: but they haven't killed anyone?)Well, they may not have killed anyone, but anyone living under such a tyrannical system may as well be dead!

There's another group of people who are "westerners in spirit," or "Americans in spirit." They believe that only US/Western methods can do good. Because the US/the West has "chosen" to coexist with the virus, and thus believe that to seek "coexistence" is the "correct" method. Any attempts to contain the virus are stupid and wrong. They really believe that people living under "dynamic zero-COVID" live under medieval prison-like conditions, barbaric and backwards.

(note: this does not refer to all Americans/Westerns, as Americans/Westerners are not a monolith. However, widespread prejudice indeed exists: the more "right" one's ideology lies, the less likely their ability to understand China)

An alien's perspective (or alternatively, the Creator's perspective)

Politics has divided human society. To adjust for certain biases, we'll need to bring in an "alien's perspective." A so-called alien's perspective is free of prior assumptions and earthly values. It is to look at human behavior and choices with a "third party" viewpoint.

This is known as the zoo hypothesis: aliens secretly observing us, watching us grow and evolve. To observe us is to observe themselves, and to observe the universe. By looking at the evolution of our behaviors, they can decide the strategy that best suits them.

Of course, this could also be the "Creator's perspective." The Creator hiding in the dark, observing our behavior.

Or perhaps, we could also be living under a simulation (or metaverse).

But anyway. Let's say we have become aliens. We're observing Earth from outer space, actively observing it change and the formation of history.

We se that between the year 2020 and 2022, Earthlings have encountered COVID-19.

As aliens, our sole task is to observe biological life. Our attention is focused on intelligent life, but we will also consider other living things, such as the perspective of the virus.

Below are a few short stories of aliens looking through the Earth as a zoo.

1. Chinese Exceptionalism

We've discovered that the current SARS-COV-2 wave is, well, quite something else. It has subdued human society in what seems like an instant. Humanity's adaptation isa bit of a joke; in a very quick time they've created not one, but several types of vaccines. But humanity is divided. Different societies have chosen different vaccines, creating a phenomenon known as vaccine nationalism.

SARS-COV-2 refuses to back down and quickly mutates, seeking some sort of coexistence with humanity. This goal will be accomplished quickly, a new record in the history of humankind.

Ah, no... we've discovered that within human society, there exists a governing body that aside form an initial outbreak, has been free of the virus. Weird! Now this is unusual! They seem to have some sort of superpower, seemingly containing SARS-COV-2/COVID-19, a COVID-free zone! How could this be?! This place is shaped like a chicken, and is known as "China." Compared to the rest of the world, China's presence is truly unique, almost mystical, in fact! And it's so big! Nearly 10 million square kilometers, and 1.4 billion people. We hear it is the second largest economic body in the world.

A place so big, yet so unique. And yet it hardly exercises any influence on the rest of the world. What is this place? Why is it so special? Why so unique? Why don't, or why can't others copy China?

We must carefully study China's history, and see how it differs from the rest.

2. The Nightmare of SARS-COV-2

Aliens sitting together in discussion.

A: Ah, take a look at the Earthlings. If there was only one country -- China -- then SARS-COV-2/COVID-19 would be screwed.

B: Indeed, it would have been flattened and unable to spread.

A: What do they mean, "coexist?!"

B: An absolutely unrealistic idea.

A: So this means that SARS-COV-2/COVID-19 still exists because of other "competition" among humanity.

B: Yes, SARS-COV-2/COVID-19 has a chance to develop everywhere except China.

A: Outside of China, it hopes to continuously evolve, mutate, until it can take revenge on China and conquer its 1.4 billion people.

B: A fifth of the world's population...!

A: The Omicron variant is its newest attempt.

B: Yes, it's already charging at the lines of defense. I hear it's already seized a city on China's southern coast: Hong Kong.

A: Do you think it'll take the rest of China too?

B: I did at first. But I later learned that in China, Hong Kong is a special case. Compared to most of China (what they call "the Mainland"), Hong Kong has a different system. To my understanding, the 1.4 billion people who have subdued the virus doesn't include Hong Kong.

A: Does that mean that this governing body has two systems?

B: Yes, they call this arrangement "One Country, Two Systems."

A: Very interesting. This might explain why humanity can or cannot defeat SARS-COV-2/COVID-19! We must conduct further resarch.

B: This strikes at the heart of our research.

A: Have you discovered anything interesting?

B: We've found a few Earthling posts. They look kinda neat:

A: What a find! We should have shared these with the rest of the cosmos ages ago.

3. Unusual competition between earthlings, observations and universal logic as reported by aliens

Location: A spaceship, 2.047 lightyears away

Chief: How goes the COVID-19 research?

Researcher: Reporting! SARS-COV-2/COVID-19 is a mighty virus. So far, a total of 400 million people have been infected, with nearly 6 million dead.

Chief: Last time you also found a mass killing, a genocide that also killed 6 million.

Researcher: Yes, the 6 million died in the Holocaust. That was a massacre between humans, a watershed moment in the history of humankind.

Chief: COVID-19 killing 6 million is quite significant, it should be written into the history books.

Researcher: Yes. It has conquered nearly all of humanity. There has been mass death across the world, a true humanitarian disaster.

Chief: What do you mean, "nearly all of humanity?" Is there an exception?

Researcher: Yes, chief. We have found a society that has thoroughly wiped out SARS-COV-2/COVID-19. A vast area with a population of 1.4 billion. It is called "China."

Chief: Oh? Very interesting. SARS-COV-2/COVID-19's kryptonite, eh?

Researcher: Yes, Chief. In Chinese society, SARS-COV-2/COVID-19 didn't stand a chance.

Chief: Very interesting. How did they do it?

Researcher: It's actually quite simple, Chief. They had sufficiently developed IT and data technology, and were able to follow and analyze individual movement. They isolated those infected with the virus. Their government is very strong, and extends its reach to grassroots. For a problem as pressing as this one, they were paternalistic and authoritarian.

Chief: Nothing weird about that. This isn't dissimilar from our society, right?

Researcher: One and the same, Chief.

Chief: A touchstone of intelligent life. But if this were the case, other Earthling societies could copy China's model, no? Humanity could defeat SARS-COV-2/COVID-19 pretty swiftly.

Researcher: Well, in theory, yes.

Chief: So should we keep investigating SARS-COV-2/COVID-19? We can probably end our surveillance, no? We can spend time on much-needed research on human society.

Researcher: Chief, I wouldn't recommend that.

Chief: Why not? Don't humans already know the secret to containing SARS-COV-2/COVID-19?

Researcher: Chief, we've discovered that human society either doesn't agree with, doesn't understand, or doesn't believe China's methods. They've given up fighting SARS-COV-2/COVID-19.

Chief: Now that's something! How strange. You just said that China represents 20% of the world's population.

Researcher: Yes.

Chief: Yet 80% of the world don't believe...

Researcher: ... or don't want to copy.

Chief: Humanity is so strange. Aren't there still humans dying of SARS-COV-2/COVID-19?

Researcher: Yes Chief. But that doesn't mean people won't bring up all sorts of excused to challenge or deny China.

Chief: Oh? That's weird. Humans are divided. They can't unite against a common enemy. How did they end up like this? It's clearly detrimental to their self-interests.

Researcher: Chief, Earthlings are indeed a strange species. We are still working on this problem. But we're guessing -- now this is just a possibility -- that human societies are also born from evolution. Throughout history, they have remained endlessly divided and continue to diversify. Their diversity is a means of self-defense, protection against homogeneity. From an evolutionary standpoint, this is actually quite reasonable, perhaps one of the reasons they've been able to take over the entire planet.

Chief: This problem is quite complicated. Division favors the long-term, but not short-term.

Researcher: Reporting, Chief! Yes. Even war is important. Human societies require such zero-sum conflicts to help them develop.

Chief: Our species experienced this stage of development as well, millions of years ago.

Researcher: Humanity exists with different languages and races, and believe in different natural laws -- "religion." Not only do many groups lack a means of communicating with each other, they have devleoped mutual distrust, hatred, and prejudice.

Chief: To advance past the Great Filter, humanity must overcome these faults.

Researcher: Yes.

Chief: I see that humanity has not come together to fight SARS-COV-2/COVID-19.

Researcher: Yes, Chief, unacceptable in my opinion. Even in such dire straits, they remain divided.

Chief: Interesting. In any case, do more research on their history. Look at why they are and remain so divided. Look far into the past, let's say 2000 years. No, wait, 5000 years. We have to see how they've developed.

Researcher: Chief, human history is too short. All we have access to written records. We'll start with 5000 years, and then bring together some archeological evidence and go back another 5000.

Chief: They're such a young civilization. Very low-level intelligent life forms. The question at hand is whether or not they can make it through the Great Filter. We've wasted too much time investigating this so called "intelligent life." They pointlessly divide themselves to the point where they're on the brink of collapse. Most civilizations collapse. They can't, and will never be able to leave any meaningful contributions to the universe or future civilizations. In our research, we must consider the above point, and stay true to the heart of our research.

Researcher: You're right, Chief. But right now, we can't fully judge whether or not Earthlings have the potential to overcome the Great Filter. Their civilization may very well collapse. According to our models, if they proceed with their current path of development, global climate change will destroy humanity. All models point to this conclusion. Human scientists are also well aware of this. Funny though, human societies are still bickering with one another.

Chief: Climate change... a timeless problem. It's destroyed countless intelligent civilizations in the past, that much we have seen. Thanks to the Great Filter, these civilizations are often overlooked, as if they never existed in the first place.

Researcher: Correct. Other than climate change, human societies confront many other problems, like firearms, drugs, organized crime, terrorism, and unprovoked war. Nuclear weapons alone are capable of destroying all life on Earth.

Chief: Idiotic drivel. Indeed, humanity is idiotic.

Researcher: Correct. But humans also have hope. We began following China because their model could help the all Earthlings solve these problems, from COVID-19 to the Great Filter.

Chief: If they find themselves aware before the Great Filter and know of their terrible fate, then they have won't need to waste our time. The universe's logic and order tend towards self-destruction. If it weren't for a coincidence, we wouldn't be able to observe Earthlings! But let me tell you, we must find value in our work: it was because of a strange coincidence that we have discovered and observed these "civilizations." It is our work that has led us to peer at the universe and all its profundities. It is our work that has given us insight into the logic of the universe. So we must not condescend, there is always more to learn.

Researcher: Well said, Chief.

Chief: We must analyze effectively. If they can pass the Great Filter, then we shall see if humanity is a good, kind civilization, or if they an aggressive, evil one. If they are kind, we will help them. If they are evil and aggressive, then we will destroy them as soon as possible.

Researcher: Yes Chief. We've been keeping this mind within our analytical framework. We believe that in the future, we will be able to coexist with humanity if it were led by China, for under China's leadership humanity would be good.

Chief: Great. Very hard to come by. But are their any other human societies worth following?

Researcher: Reporting Chief. There's a "United States of America." They're actually the most capable, influential country on Earth. However, their actions leave us uneased. All across the globe, they externalize their own contradictions, manufacture conflict, and use crass methods to solve problems -- the worst civilization on the planet.

Chief: A threat to the universe.

Researcher: Correct. We believe that if the US were to win -- if they were to win the war, suppress all other human societies, and assume the dominant position, then humanity will fail to pass the Great Filter. Climate change alone is enough to destroy them. I believe that at this stage, we have no need to act at all!

Chief: Great! Continue observations. The logic and order of the universe veers towards destruction, vulgarity, and barbaric rogue civilizations. You must work diligently. Report any and all information to me!

4. The Metaverse

Location: A spaceship, 2.047 lightyears away (Molly)

Chief: Hello everyone. Apologies for my tardiness.

Researcher: No worries, Chief. Today's our day off, after all.

Chief: Oh, yes. Though I still have to chair today's emergency meeting. Has everyone arrived?

Researcher: Yes. The meeting starts once you've arrived.

Chief: Great, thank you. To tell the truth, this isn't an easy job. We have been at this post for 4200 years (note: Earth years). Loading into the Molly system has really tired me out. I apologize for sharing with this with you all today.

Researcher: No problem, Chief. I've been here for 1200 years as well.

Chief: That long, huh! Looking back, my body was only 148 years old. I miss my body, but I can't remember what it's like anymore. I can only remember the metaverse now, it doesn't feel like the real me.

Researcher: In your time, 148 years old was considered very old. Your peers must have been jealous that you enjoyed a physical body for such a long time.

Chief: Don't bring it up. You must have lived longer than me.

Researcher: No, no, no. I had an accident, and came to the Metaverse when I was 83.

Chief: Ah, apologies. What I meant to say was, a physical body is a luxury item, and I miss the past.

Researcher: Indeed. Ever since the 6th Great Disaster, we can count the number of physical bodies with a single hand. But being in the Metaverse is good too! Who needs a body? My children and I are all here. We can use the Metaverse to guide the universe.

Chief: But it's not the same. I miss the feeling of a body. I feel so weak without biology.

Researcher: In my generation, people couldn't wait to ditch their bodies for the metaverse. My kids wanted this from a very young age. It's hard to change the minds of the youth.

Chief: For real, the youth all think like that. They didn't truly experience the feeling of a body, and can't see its value. Our civilization relies on the Metaverse. I'm worried about the effects of the disconnect from our biological foundations.

Researcher: But without the Metaverse, we wouldn't have been able to pass through the Great Filter; we'd be toast after the 4th Great Disaster. No matter what, the Metaverse is still very interesting. Anything is possible here.

Chief: Yes. But I still prefer the feeling of life. Maybe I'm too old. Maybe I came here too late. I can't get used to it here. My grandma isn't here; she missed the Metaverse by a generation.

Researcher: I'm so sorry to hear that.

Chief: No worries. Death is a part of life, we all need a way to leave this world somehow. If we could never die, never leave, what about our descendants? Without death, I'd always have more experience and wealth than them -- how could they grow?

Researcher: You've lived a fruitful life, and carry with you a wealth of knowledge. You're here to guide the future generations, our civilization is counting on you.

Chief: Perhaps. One day I'd like to share all of my memories and knowledge with the Metaverse so that the younger folk can replace me. I want to leave and pass it on to them.

Researcher: Your ability to analyze, manage, and explain information is irreplaceable, Chief. All you can share with the Metaverse is information. But analyze and manage? We still need different people and their experiences. You're one of a kind!

Chief: Technology continues to advance. But really, we've long been able to share the frameworks with which we analyze and manage information. I'm hoping this is an intentional limitation by the government. Different people shouldn't have to be different. If we distribute our capabilities evenly across the Metaverse, we'd be able to give our descendants opportunity. We could leave old folks like us to the pages of history.

Researcher: Yes, Chief. In the future, there won't be differences between young and old. But if everything were equal, including in thought and analytical ability, what would be the point of existence?

Chief: Ah, with this question, let's get to business. How are our investigations of Earth? Any progress?

Researcher: Yes Chief. Many civilizations that we're currently followed are taking steps towards the Metaverse. There's one in particular worth investigating, called China.

Chief: The same China that fought SARS-COV-2/COVID-19?

Researcher: One and the same.

Chief: What are they doing? I'm guessing it has to do with SARS-COV-2/COVID-19.

Researcher: Of course. We've found their secret to fighting SARS-COV-2/COVID-19.

Chief: And that is?

Researcher: They're using what look like extracorporeal microchips to share information?

Chief: Extracorporeal? They're not implanting chips into themselves?

Researcher: Exactly. No implants. And none of it is forced, either. Though they rely pretty heavily on them, so everyone has one.

Chief: External equipment.

Researcher: Yes. They call it a "smartphone." Convenient and portable, and has a power source independent from their own bodies. They have their own chips, operating systems, and no direct biological connections to their owners.

Chief: And this is widespread?

Researcher: Very. Their smartphones contain a lot of information related to their owners. Such tight integration is the very source of China's success.

Chief: Interesting. I'm familiar with history. Is this similar to what we had 4400 years ago?

Researcher: I've only read about this in history books. I think you're right though -- technological change comes in increments. Though at the same time, our extracorporeal microchips were forced upon us, while they bring their smartphones with them by choice.

Chief: By choice, huh, and they're that widespread. It must mean that smartphones are really convenient and provide a lot of information.

Researcher: Indeed. There's a lot of convenience and entertainment. And now in China, they're a weapon to fight SARS-COV-2/COVID-19. In public spaces, people must use their smartphones to check-in so that their travel history can be tracked. This way, the government can carry out any anti-pandemic measures accordingly.

Chief: This virus is might, but it's also had a profound effect on human society.

Researcher: Yes, there are always to sides of a coin.

 Chief: This is just like how the Metaverse began on our planet. Originally, it was just an external chip, electively owned. But later on...

Researcher: What happened later on?

Chief: To lower crime rates, we wanted these chips to be mandatory. We held an election over this issue.

Researcher: The result?

Chief: A landslide victory! We supported requiring external chips by a huge margin. We supported the measure because we also thought that it was a sign of responsibility.

Researcher: A historic vote. It let our civilization progress.

Chief: Of course. Afterwards, the government publicized all of our travel histories. There was other information too, including activities we partook in, and so on. But that was just the beginning. Now, not only were the chips forced, we now have implants, and the platform has become limitles.

Researcher: It's a part of all of our bodies.

Chief: All the way from birth.

Researcher: In the Metaverse, everyone can store and share all the information in the world.

Chief: We can retrieve any piece of information out there. But what's more important is storage. Today, we can relive all of our memories. We can connect and share; we no longer need to forget. We no longer need to study or remember knowledge. We can install the ability to study or academic credentials. Now, we've truly reached equality. Everyone in the Metaverse can live their lives now.

Researcher: Even reproduce!

Chief: Correct, but in the Metaverse we can only produce "disconnected" descendants. Personally I'm not a fan, I would still like physical descendants.

Researcher: After the first Great Disaster, that became an extremely rare privilege. For most of us here, even reproduction is based on the Metaverse.

Chief: I still miss the days of my body. Those born here will never know what the joy of physical existence.

Researcher: I too, am lucky to have lived in the age of physical bodies.

Chief: Age can make things awkward. I have zero urge to talk to a women hundreds, if not thousands of years younger than myself. Super weird.

Researcher: Yes, Chief. But age is a social construct. In our world, age as a concept doesn't exist anymore.

Chief: An unprecedented equal society. I hope that I can pass on my experiences and make it even more equal.

Researcher: Yes, the Metaverse's specialty.

Chief: I'd like to confirm, China's "extracorporeal microchips" -- do they need real-name authentication? They bind to a biological individual. This is very important!

Researcher: Yes, their real names, binding to each indiviudal. Is this important?

Chief: To the highest degree. I see you've never thought about this problem. In higher-dimension civilizations, the virtual world is larger than the real world. Biological bodies are the weakest, and have no assurance of safety. Our propagation relies on virtual world.

Researcher: Do you mean one must give the virtual world real world dimensions?

Chief: Yes. It must be connected to the real world. Because of this, for every identity in the Metaverse must have a corresponding physical body. Every new birth in the Metaverse must be connected to a corresponding identity in the real world. We can't create from thin air.

Researcher: Every birth must register in the greater system, and be authenticated.

Chief: Correct. We cannot create identity from thin air. This is the only means of connection with the real world. I'd like you to ponder, all those who die in the real world can enter the metaverse. When counted alongside new births, you'll find that physical bodies are a tiny minority, a rarity even!

Researcher: A world where life and death are one.

Chief: Yes. From a biology perspective, it's more like a world of the dead and the virtual. The virtual is far bigger than the real.

Researcher: I'm starting to get it. Real name authentication is very important.

Chief: Since the Metaverse has long outgrown the physical world, the largest problem we face is connection with the real world. The only means of connecting with the physical world is real name authentication. The only means of maintaining order in the Metaverse is real name authentication. Only this way may we respect one another in the Metaverse and protect each individual's rights, equality, and the pursuit of justice. Only this way can we leave the Metaverse and lead the physical world.

Researcher: Another civilization of Earthlings -- the US -- is developing the Metaverse as well.

Chief: They've done a real crummy job of fighting COVID-19.

Researcher: Indeed. The US is a society that places a great deal of importance on freedom and rights. Because they over-emphasize individual liberties, rights, and privacy, they mange to sacrifice the interests of both the public and all of humanity. As a result, their Metaverse can only be a virtual world.

Chief: I've heard of conditions in the US. Haven't we discussed this before? It may very well be that they stop humanity from crossing the Great Filter, leaving them a lower-dimensional civilization.

Researcher: It seems like real-name authentication is a watershed invention.

Chief: Yes. Only with a tight bond with the physical world can the virtual world be restrained and regulated.

Researcher: Otherwise it would just be a video game world.

Chief: A Metaverse within the Metaverse. A secondary product of the virtual world. Virtual within virtual. A world that exists to leave the real world, to anesthetize its inhabitants with drugs and entertainment.

Researcher: A world unable to address the survival of civilization.

Chief: But as anesthesia, it can cover up the contradictions of the real world.

Researcher: It seems like one-sided emphasis on rights and liberties cannot help civilization tackle existential problems. Just look at climate change.

Chief: An issue as clear as day. Only by sacrificing individual rights and privacy, can we collectively pool our energies together and address the universe's problems. Only then can a civilization pass through the Great Filter. This is the law of surviving in the universe for an intelligent civilization. Particularly, under a Metaverse led by the virtual world, to to help civilization face the future, it's necessary to unite the thoughts, resources, experiences, and knowledge into a single force.

Researcher: In that case, if a civilization's fundamental value system emphasizes individual rights, interest, ego, and rationality, then development poses a great challenge. It's safe to say that it cannot overcome a great calamity.

Chief: These are lower-level animals. Just as you have seen, lower-level animals frequently succumb to cannibalism. Because they are lower-level, they cannot communicate with one another.

Researcher: I see that in a higher-dimension civilization, the individual and collective are one, or at least the lines are blurred.

Chief: Let me put it to you this way. The so-called collective, is the collective knowledge of the Metaverse. It is product of individual knowledge, experience, will, and emotion all pooled together. It is the sum of countless generations of individuals. In our times, the individual is the collective , the collective is the individual -- the two are one. There is no one or the other. A civilization that antagonizes the individual and the collective is a low-level civilization.

Researcher: Seems like under US leadership, the Earth will fail to cross the Great Filter.

Chief: Yes. So don't waste your time on them. Focus on China.

Researcher: Yes Chief. They will provide a lot of information on solving the Earth's collective problems.

Chief: Study them well. They may as well be our past. Here, all we can share are bits and pieces. Studying life and civilization in the Universe can help us better understand ourselves. And is that not the goal of studying them? Also, I hope that they will work more to develop the Metaverse, and let us share more with them. The more open and inclusive the society, the stronger.

Researcher: Thank you Chief.

Chief: And today's meeting is adjourned. Until next time!