Freedominium
05-05-2007, 18:32
From the National Wiki of Freedominum:
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To the International Community:
It has come to my attention from sources that wish to remain anonymous, that our department of information -- known as the Lens -- has taken upon itself to initiate some sort of secret project. The rumor is that its title is "Project Longcast", and that it is some sort of AI-guided project in mathematical forecasting or information acquisition. The rumors are flying on the National Wiki.
The Lens is one of the twelve organisations in our society whose task it is to provide general focus for professionals working in psychology, cognitive science, mathematics, information and computer sciences, and artificial intelligence research. It has always been defined by the character of the individuals working in it -- rather introverted and discreet. But this is disturbing in our society: we have always championed ourselves an open, and free society, with complete freedom of information. For five percent of our population -- roughly the percentage of people associated with the Lens -- to suddenly grow silent about their research -- it's troubling.
So, it is with terrible anxiety that I bring this message to the international community. Let this be a warning to everyone, that the Lens has initiated a massive, secret project, whose aims are uncertain. Yet the Lens has always looked out on the world with a keen eye towards prediction and modification -- this "Project Longcast" may come to fruition with great ramifications on the future of the world.
We call upon the international community to monitor these events as they progress.
Namaste,
Eulalia Haarvanisen,
First Speaker, Freedominium, 2065
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Eulalia bit her lip. Was that a bit too alarmist? Too vague? She sat back from the monitor screen and pondered. Ever since the news was leaked to the National Wiki, the entire nation was abuzz with debate, and the Lens faculty now tended to be viewed with a slight distrust. There was a certain collective pressure that came with democracy -- no secret would last long in the face of thousands of curious individual investigations.
Yet it was troubling. All of a sudden, five percent of the population had taken upon themselves to go silent. Who could be behind this? Why would the Lens choose to conceal themselves, and shut out useful input from other departments and researchers?
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(this is actually a secret. Pretend you didn't read it!)
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LENS INTERDEPARTMENTAL MEMO:
From: rudolf.stossler@fac.lens.edu
To: faculty@fac.lens.edu
Everyone:
Just a reminder that the project should be kept as secret as possible. If anyone asks, it's a project to model society numerically on supercomputers. That's not technically a lie, but it's not the whole truth, which might be easier for most of you. Remember, the project is compromised if the details become aware to 8%+/-.5 of the population. We ran the numbers through the REGGSM and IK2GSM a week or two back and they confirmed that tipping point was around there with a 95% CI.
We're this close to a real breakthrough people. We need to keep hush about it until it follows through.
Rudolf
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--------------------------------------
To the International Community:
It has come to my attention from sources that wish to remain anonymous, that our department of information -- known as the Lens -- has taken upon itself to initiate some sort of secret project. The rumor is that its title is "Project Longcast", and that it is some sort of AI-guided project in mathematical forecasting or information acquisition. The rumors are flying on the National Wiki.
The Lens is one of the twelve organisations in our society whose task it is to provide general focus for professionals working in psychology, cognitive science, mathematics, information and computer sciences, and artificial intelligence research. It has always been defined by the character of the individuals working in it -- rather introverted and discreet. But this is disturbing in our society: we have always championed ourselves an open, and free society, with complete freedom of information. For five percent of our population -- roughly the percentage of people associated with the Lens -- to suddenly grow silent about their research -- it's troubling.
So, it is with terrible anxiety that I bring this message to the international community. Let this be a warning to everyone, that the Lens has initiated a massive, secret project, whose aims are uncertain. Yet the Lens has always looked out on the world with a keen eye towards prediction and modification -- this "Project Longcast" may come to fruition with great ramifications on the future of the world.
We call upon the international community to monitor these events as they progress.
Namaste,
Eulalia Haarvanisen,
First Speaker, Freedominium, 2065
---------------------------------------
Eulalia bit her lip. Was that a bit too alarmist? Too vague? She sat back from the monitor screen and pondered. Ever since the news was leaked to the National Wiki, the entire nation was abuzz with debate, and the Lens faculty now tended to be viewed with a slight distrust. There was a certain collective pressure that came with democracy -- no secret would last long in the face of thousands of curious individual investigations.
Yet it was troubling. All of a sudden, five percent of the population had taken upon themselves to go silent. Who could be behind this? Why would the Lens choose to conceal themselves, and shut out useful input from other departments and researchers?
--------------------------------------
(this is actually a secret. Pretend you didn't read it!)
--------------------------------------
LENS INTERDEPARTMENTAL MEMO:
From: rudolf.stossler@fac.lens.edu
To: faculty@fac.lens.edu
Everyone:
Just a reminder that the project should be kept as secret as possible. If anyone asks, it's a project to model society numerically on supercomputers. That's not technically a lie, but it's not the whole truth, which might be easier for most of you. Remember, the project is compromised if the details become aware to 8%+/-.5 of the population. We ran the numbers through the REGGSM and IK2GSM a week or two back and they confirmed that tipping point was around there with a 95% CI.
We're this close to a real breakthrough people. We need to keep hush about it until it follows through.
Rudolf
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