Chapter 14 14. Conversation with interstellar spacecraft

Thousands of questions have been posed to the interstellar vehicle during its time within the confines of the solar system, above all eager for information about other civilizations and anxiously awaiting answers.Contrary to what some might have speculated, the robot was more than willing to answer questions, and admitted that, in fact, his latest data was more than a hundred years old. Since only one biological form on Earth has produced such a variety of cultures, then the situation in the universe can be imagined, but the creators of the interstellar craft have managed to compile a rough guideline. Unify the objective standard - the level of technological development - a scale for classifying cultures.Human beings belong to the fifth class.The form of this hierarchical system is as follows: 1—stone tools; 2—metalworking, fire; 3—use of writing, crafts, ships; 4—steam engines, mathematics, natural sciences; 5—atomic energy, spaceflight.

Sixty thousand years ago, when the starship took off, its creators were also in the fifth stage.Later, they entered a higher stage of development and mastered the control of matter. People immediately asked the interplanetary vehicle if there was a class numbered 7.The answer was: "Yes." When questioned about various details, the Probe replied: "It is not authorized to explain highly developed cultures to lower civilized societies." Thus was the end of the matter, notwithstanding the most astute questions posed by the most eminent jurists on earth. By this time, however, the interstellar spacecraft could successfully engage in academic debates with any philosopher on Earth.Part of the blame for this should lie with the scholars of the University of Chicago, who secretly broadcast the entire Summa Theologica to the interstellar spacecraft.In reply, the interstellar spacecraft immediately provided a detailed analysis of the work of Foma-Akwinsky and convincingly pointed out that the content of this work is extremely poor.In another correspondence, the interstellar spacecraft pointed out that the arousal of religious fantasies bears clear parallels with events such as the final of the World Football Championship or the performance of a popular vocal-instrumental concerto.It goes on to report that religious behavior is rare across cultures: only three of the fifteen known Type I cultures and six of the twenty-eight known Type II cultures , five out of fourteen species belonging to the third category, two out of ten in the fourth category, and only three out of one hundred and seventy-four in the fifth category (statistics for the last category The higher number is due to the possibility of interstellar radio communication with such civilizations).

But it was the last report of the interstellar vehicle that really shocked many. June 11, 2069, 06:34 GMT, report number 8964, series two.Starcraft - To Earth: Four hundred and fifty-six years ago I was told that the mystery of the formation of the universe had finally been answered.In order to obtain relevant information, you should establish direct contact with my base. I'm going into cruise mode right now, no communication.do not. In the opinion of many, the last and most famous of the thousands of correspondence reports suggested that the starship had not lost its sense of humor.Otherwise, it is hard to imagine that it will plant such a philosophical bomb at the end.However, it is far more likely that this report is part of a well-thought-out plan to push humanity on the path it needs for the Get ready for interstellar direct dialogue.

Some believe that interplanetary vehicles cannot be allowed to carry vast stores of knowledge and technological models far beyond the present level of Earth beyond the confines of the solar system.While none of the currently existing spacecraft on Earth can catch up to an interstellar vehicle and return to Earth, such an interception device is not difficult to make. Fortunately, wiser insights prevailed.Detectors - Robots are undoubtedly equipped with various reliable protective devices, including the ability to identify themselves.However, the strongest argument is that the creators of the interstellar spacecraft lived only fifty-two light-years away from the earth, and for thousands of years after the interstellar spacecraft took off, there is no doubt that their cosmic technology will never stop In the original state without any progress.If the behavior of human beings displeased them, then after two or three hundred years they would certainly show it themselves...

In this way, their probes not only affected virtually the entire sphere of human culture, but also put an end to the endless religious practice that seemed to be amply practiced by philosophic peoples over the course of many centuries. debate.