Rebirth 09: Synthetic Male God

Chapter 973 Win again?
The most shocking news came out in the last 30 seconds of the press conference.

Zhou Rui turned around and left without even a word of explanation.

The effect of "learning machines" is too counterintuitive and requires gradual testing of society's reaction.

In other words, gradually "cultivate" the correct understanding.

Giving the public some time to guess and diverge is also a desensitization process, and the plan can be adjusted in real time.

In the car leaving the main venue, Zhou Rui's cell phone vibrated slightly.

Marcus's message:

"Boss, I'll wait for you in Shanghai."

Zhou Rui smiled slightly. This guy was actually watching the live broadcast. It was positive to send him a message so quickly.
That’s right, how could the world’s leading expert in brain science not be interested in “learning machines”?

-

"There is a brain wave magnetic field technology that can write memories into the brain."

In the picture, Zhou Rui leaned over slightly, holding the small microphone on the table.

“I call it a learning machine.”

With a beep, the video content was paused.

On the other side of the Pacific Ocean, in Washington, NASA headquarters.

Only three or four hours had passed since the press conference at the end of the summit.

The conference room was filled with most of NASA's senior executives, top experts, and several high-ranking officials from the Pentagon, think tanks, and government agencies. They had just watched the entire press conference at 0.8 times the speed.

Why 0.8x speed? Because the subtitles are too dense.
Many people rubbed their eyes tiredly, and for a while, rustling sounds were heard continuously.

"Learning machine? Does 'Rui Zhou' mean some kind of brain-computer interface technology?"

"Not sure, but the relevant content will be analyzed by other people. We are here today mainly for matters related to the space station."

A white official looked at the director of NASA, pondered for a moment, and said hopefully: "Nelson, do you have anything to add to the press conference over there?"

Nelson rolled his eyes and said, "What the hell! NASA itself doesn't understand it so clearly."

They didn't have the technology to fly into orbit to "investigate the case," but their final conclusion was the same: NASA knew best how the space station exploded, but the details were not yet so intuitive.

It can only be said that the gap in technology has deprived them of even the right to explain. With the other party being able to investigate at any time and send down evidence at any time, no matter how they argue, they will only be slapping themselves in the face.

"I have nothing to add."

The white official gently coaxed: "Or should I say doubt? Even if it's subjective."

"No."

As the saying goes, when disaster strikes, everyone runs for their own safety. Nelson has to consider his own future.

Since the outside world has confirmed that it was caused by the "barricade plan", the blame lies with the military.

The most NASA did was to be coerced into blocking the astronauts' rescue channel, which was just a minor flaw.

They were all forced.

To overturn this logic, we must find a new scapegoat, but we must not end up finding the scapegoat ourselves.

As the director, whether he can keep his position in such a big event is secondary. The only thing he should do is not to get himself into trouble. At his age, he can't even pick up a soap. He is a person who responds to soft tactics and does not respond to hard tactics.

In fact, the most panicked people now are the white official himself and the other black general who is commanding on the scene.

The two unlucky guys who were about to take the blame were at the scene. When directing the scene, everyone, including Nelson himself, deliberately claimed to be sick and did not go. Afterwards, they asked the doctor to issue a certificate. Only these two honest people actually went to the scene.
The reason these two are still sitting here in the meeting is simply because the blame has not yet fallen, and they themselves are aware of this, so they are making their final struggle.

"We can't just be passive about this. Oh, right! We can try to find a way out of this with 'Rui Zhou'. For example, when the astronauts come back, we can have them accuse the other party of using dangerous methods to rescue, which will lead to physical and mental health problems."

"Okay Bells, let's not talk about this topic anymore."

A more senior boss interrupted.

He received some instructions to handle the matter in any way he wanted, but he should not provoke "Rui Zhou".
The signal was a little vague, and his level was not high enough to understand the truth, but he knew that those people were good at talking.
More importantly, now that the pot has been divided, it’s best not to waver.

Otherwise it's easy to splash all over.

"Let's discuss some practical matters, Nelson. What are our direct losses from the destruction of the International Space Station?"

Nelson sighed and said:
"The space station cost about $1500 billion, of which the United States contributed $1100 billion, and the other 15 countries contributed a total of $400 billion. The second highest was Russia."

The man said: "So, we need to pay 400 billion US dollars to various countries?" This is not a small number. In fact, some countries have already proposed compensation. This is also one of the important topics today.
Nelson thought for a moment and said:

"This question needs to be viewed separately. First of all, the design life of the space station is 10-15 years. We have reached the design life. Of course, it was destroyed due to an accident rather than aging. But in the same way, hardware equipment has to be depreciated every year, right?"

"If we follow the business calculation, the annual depreciation is 8%, which means it will be 18% in 146 years."

My goodness, after all this calculation, the world owes the United States tens of billions.
As expected, if you learn mathematics, physics and chemistry well, you will not be afraid to travel around the world.
Besides, after reaching the design life, “scrap and retirement” is also an expense, isn’t it?
Add to that the $32 billion a year maintenance fee for the space station, and you don't have to pay for it.
Doesn’t this help everyone save money?

America wins again!
This new "statistical" algorithm lifted everyone's spirits.

It exploded and we lost face, but we didn’t lose on paper!

"Then I also have a suggestion. We can announce to the public that the International Space Station was originally planned to be scrapped in three years. This way, the loss on paper will be smaller."

"It's not a little smaller, it just saves money! At least billions!"

"Yeah!"

"Will China ask us for rescue money?"

"You want it! We can just not give it to you."

"I have another idea. Why don't we just say that the communication blockade was caused by improper command by someone on the scene? This is not an official order."

The two scapegoats, one black and one white, both turned green in the face. Are they not going to let them live?
Even if I turn into the Black and White Impermanence, I will not let you go!
After an hour of careful study, they used magical "statistics" to estimate the paper losses to be negligible.

This still has some dignity. If all means are used, other countries will have to give them money.

Whether others agree with this plan or not, we still have to do work and lobby. He who seeks the best will win, so we have to sacrifice our reputation first.

Of course, no matter what the result is, no matter how many countries recognize it, NASA's face, the face of the United States' aerospace industry, and even the face of the United States itself will inevitably be trampled on the ground this time.
They don't have such a specific perception of the transfer of "technological hegemony", but they still have a vague feeling.

But people have to live for themselves.

In the second half of the meeting, a think tank member asked a key question.

"Nelson, is it possible for us to rebuild the space station? I don't mean repair it, but rebuild a new one."

Nelson instinctively wanted to nod, because this meant a huge amount of funding, but he soon calmed down and shook his head:
"First of all, the International Space Station is a project involving 16 countries. We don't have the technical capability to build our own space station, especially since Russia will definitely not be willing to cooperate with us in the future. It's different now than when the Soviet Union just collapsed. At that time, they were willing to give us everything."

"Secondly, even if all countries are willing to follow the US call and build the International Space Station again, it will cost at least $7000 billion given the current high cost of the industry."

"This is equivalent to the total funding of NASA for 35 years, and it requires that nothing goes wrong. I don't think Congress can approve this project."

"In short, you can think that this is impossible."

Another person was unwilling to accept the fact: "Don't we have any other actions in the field of aerospace?"

He could not accept the fact that the United States, which once landed on the moon, now had to rely on Russia to build a spacecraft.

Nelson: "At present, the only one that is being promoted is the 'Eye of Artemis' project led by Hansen. The space station issue happened too suddenly."

In fact, after the space station exploded, NASA’s own work content was cut in half.

All previous space station-related affairs, including rocket launches, astronaut training, scientific research experiments, etc., are gone.

"An unmanned lunar exploration project is not enough to prove the strength of the U.S. space program."

Nelson looked at the other person helplessly.
I also know that it is not enough. But is there a possibility that we are no longer strong?
"We are still developing a lot of things. If I have time, I can hold a special meeting and show you the PPT. I have a lot. But the one that is closest to producing results is the 'Eye of Artemis' project."

At this time, one person said: "Is your plan guaranteed to succeed? We can't afford another failure."

The super popularity of the aerospace field was something they could not have anticipated, and now this sector is becoming increasingly important.

Although we have lost all our moral integrity now, we still have the foundation of the moon landing, and at least we are still the "second largest space power" - such a sad statement, but people no longer have time to reminisce.
And if the "Eye of Artemis" fails again, even this position will be lost.
Nelson said: "You know, lunar exploration is a very difficult task. Even if it is just a smooth landing, there are many difficulties."

“Even though we once went to the moon?”

"Yes. Even though we have landed on the moon, and I remind you, most of the technology related to the moon landing has been lost. NASA explained this to the public more than a decade ago."

At this time, Nelson said solemnly:

"I think there is one thing that, if done, will be very beneficial to the advancement of our aerospace technology."

Everyone pricked up their ears: "What?"

“Repeal the Wolfort Clause.”

Ugh. What is this? You get rubbed on the ground, and the solution is to lift your butt higher?
Well, it seems that it is not impossible, as long as it can produce results.
"I can find a middleman first to get the feel of the Chinese Space Administration."

(End of this chapter)