Discovery

by Douglas E Roff

  “Stay educated and vigilant, don’t assume anything that ought to be proven factually and be wary of people in and with power. Be aware of disarming arguments and simple solutions. What is simple and easy may be terribly unjust.”

  “Then what?” asked Rod.

  “Vote. Speak out, loudly and noisily if necessary. And then pray.”

  Chapter 30

  “Dad, that’s not exactly the concern I have with this whole matter. And I think you know that.”

  Adam was seated outside on the dock at a little bayside table drinking his morning coffee. He and Edward sat waiting for their ride back to the Victoria Inner Harbor, a seaplane which had just landed majestically and was docking at the Seattle-Lake Union Seaplane Terminal. Adam had ridden the seaplanes that commuted often between Seattle and Victoria many times in his twenty-six years, but never tired of the thrill of a flight that took off and landed on water and on pontoons.

  Edward returned to their little table, intent on debating the merits of the top-secret project that they knew better than to discuss out in the open. But unless the Ruskies were back up to old tricks, neither man felt as though anyone would be listening for long about the merits of their pet database project.

  “Son, this isn’t simple data mining, market research or some new internet cookie that tracks spending habits or your favorite porn sites. This is an almost real time ability to not only track but also predict movements. The latter is Bitsie’s rather chilling contribution and amazingly accurate when the data is good. There is almost nothing you can’t know or a profile you can’t construct about almost any individual with a cell phone and a digital or internet presence. Hell, here in the land of the free and the home of the brave, practically all I need to know anything I want about you is to just get your Social. And with the trend toward a more intense and complex digital life for everyone on this planet, the implications are troublesome.”

  Edward paused for a moment, then said “Consider the Snowden disclosures. The NSA was spying on Angela Merkel, German head of State. And the President of Brazil. Tapped into their government cell phones. I wonder if they think this matter is a charming hypothetical.”

  “All true, but legally? A lot of what you just mentioned isn’t legal here in America. Not on our citizens, anyway. That’s what makes your argument less believable. It can be done, if, if, if. But what are the chances it actually will be done.” Adam was often perplexed by his father’s alarmist arguments.

  Adam had blind faith in the American capacity for adherence to the rule of law. An innovation borrowed from our friend, the Brits and, he believed, reinvigorated in the US Constitution. The Right to Privacy, first fully explained in the case, Roe v. Wade, had long and since been a key feature of the American way of thinking about the meaning of freedom. Freedom from the watchful eye of government. The slippery slope toward Big Brother begins with government surveillance and having the capacity to know too much about the citizenry.

  The trade-off always starts with the promise of keeping the people safe and some vague notion of National Security. Then, it begins to erode, quietly and unobtrusively at first. Of course, the standard excuse is “it’s just to get terrorists and the bad guys”. But eventually it becomes tangled and mangled in the definition of what “is” is. What is the definition of a “bad guy”; what is a “terrorist”? And when did someone voicing opposition to the government become a problem who needs to be watched, tracked and surveilled.

  Edward said, “Well, no not legally. But so, what? Nixon got the tax records of his enemies; Hoover tried to blackmail Martin Luther King. It is the fact that it can be done at all that should scare you. The fact that the government of the United States of America can, right this very moment, track our very movements, payments and lifestyles at a keystroke should maybe make you think twice. Maybe this whole DataLab Project is not such a good idea after all. Too much potential for the kind of abuse we don’t really want. Or need. Not in the hands of the NSA and their folk anyway.”

  “I thought you liked the DataLab Project?” Adam said. “Showed real scientific progress and promise. Helps you catch the ‘bad guys’ in your line of work.”

  The DL Main had helped Edward catch many crooks on behalf of governments, museums and private collectors. And, he rarely had to go into the field any longer. In the past, he did that with his boys when they were young; now he worked from his home or office. Others went out to the digs and elsewhere to catch the crooks now. Edward was dismayed at not having ‘any fun in the field’ as he had for many years. He was relegated to being a ‘digital detective’. Where was the fun in that?

  “Yeah, well that was then, and this is now.” Edward spoke and felt grumpy. “The ‘nuances’, as you like to call them, initially escaped me then. But not now. If there was a way to limit the ‘use’ somehow without running into the ‘abuse’, I’d feel a lot better. About everything, including our collective democratic futures.”

  Adam thought for a moment, and knowing how to annoy his father quickly, asked, “And just so I ask the question, who makes the decisions about all this? Including the nuances? Would that be you?”

  Edward replied, not taking the bait, “Maybe. If I’m instrumental in creating this thing, this monster, then maybe I should have some input into how and what it should be used for. Maybe reserve some authority over it. Only seems fair.”

  “The Frankenstein problem.” Adam had read Mary Shelley’s book many times a child. Not for the monster in Hollywood movies but for the clear religious issues raised. Such a small book; such a huge impact, though Hollywood only saw plot. Missed the point entirely, in Adam’s mind.

  “Exactly.” Replied Edward, having read the books and shared it with his son. “What does the Creator owe to the created? How far does His/Her/Its responsibility reach?”

  “Maybe. But it’s a little different here. No created humans running amok.” Adam’s own thinking was often linear; just linear.

  “Really? Different? How so? Seems like it’s the same situation, although the facts and context may be a little different. You create a program …”

  “A little more than that, Dad, but …”

  “Well, then point taken, but let’s just lump all your programs and algorithms and innovative super intelligent thinking and whatever into one big old thing we call ‘the Program’. We’ll even name it: Program Adam.”

  “OK. I like the sound of that.” Adam’s ego was so easily amused, Edward thought.

  “So now we have Program Adam and it can do all kinds of cool stuff – for the scientists and technicians who use it, of course. It can store, locate and retrieve data at super-fast rates of speed, analyze and determine the relevance of that data to an inquiry and spit out a useful scientific answer in less than millisecond.”

  “A slight exaggeration. But I see your point. No, I don’t see your point. What exactly is your point, anyway?” Metaphor wasn’t Adam’s strong point. What Adam liked was good, accurate data and clear linear thinking.

  “The point is that what you can do with useful, benign and neutral scientific data is the same data you may use for somewhat less benign purposes too.”

  “Of course. But the data itself is neutral – it doesn’t have a moral aspect. Data is data and if it resides somewhere, it can be collected, collated and stored.”

  “And used,” Edward added.

  “Of course,” said Adam. “What would be the purpose of collecting, collating and storing data that isn’t used?”

  “Exactly. My point exactly.” Edward was at his normally obtuse best when talking to Adam. And Adam normally kept up, without clarifying explanation, but, occasionally, not so much.

  “C’mon old man. We’ve talked about these elliptical conversations before. I refuse to guess at what you might mean so just assume I don’t understand you and speak plainly for once.”

  Edward said, “It isn’t the data we should be worried about; it’s how we use that data that
should be worrisome. Once someone, anyone, has a big pile of data then that someone is going to wonder what might be learned from it. Is it useful? What can I discover and exploit? Can I sell it? The list goes on and on. The only way to assure that data will not be misused is to not collect it in the first place. That way there can be absolutely zero temptation. No tasty treats on the table you have to try to ignore.”

  “Really? How ‘turn of the nineteenth century’ of you. A veritable modern Luddite. I mean, if data exists, it will be collected. That’s simply a fact of modern life and there’s no way to prevent it, in digital form or otherwise.”

  Adam paused, then continued, “If it is collected, it will be collated and stored. And used. It’s inevitable. But isn’t that why we have privacy laws and rules of the road for data collection and use. Industry and government can’t just do whatever they want.”

  “They can’t, or you sincerely hope they won’t?”

  “Dad, it’s against the law. They won’t. It’s the law.”

  “Let me ask you another question. It’s a little scientific but what I’m asking you has nothing to do with science.”

  “OK.” Adam was immediately suspicious. Edward’s arguments could be disarming and deceptive to the world at large. Adam often thought that Edward used his facility with verbalization to trick and mislead.

  “Let’s say we have a breakthrough in human genetics and one day a scientist announces that she has discovered several breakthroughs in her private lab. She has discovered not only how to clone a human being, she has also discovered a way to genetically engineer that clone to possess almost any traits she wants – or you want.”

  “Impossible. Human cloning is against the law everywhere in the world.”

  “Impossible? I say balderdash to the law and reiterate, so what? The law stops only those who wish to heed the legal proscription. But no one else. Hell, Pops could start cloning you tomorrow if he wanted. What’s to stop him? Mark and the RCMP Constabulary in Victoria? A law passed in Ottawa? Hardly.”

  “Your point is?” Adam understood the distinctions his father was making and thought he had a point. Hypothetical versus practical real world. The two were almost never the same. But he also liked to fully understand and appreciate what the old man was saying. Sometimes Adam’s understanding of his Dad was somewhat incomplete.

  “My point is that there is a vast difference between not doing something you can do versus not being able to do it at all. If it is possible to do, legality has been shown to rarely be an impediment. If it was we would just pass a law, and boom, no crime.”

  Edward paused, then said, “So it is with science and business and medicine and every other human endeavor. People are curious and if given half a chance, will attempt to create almost anything they can conceive, just to see if they can. The question is not whether we can do something, it’s whether we ought to do it. Therein lies the human element and it is fraught with pitfalls, weakness and, more than occasionally, with a tinge of just pure, concentrated evil.”

  Adam thought this to be just ludicrous. “So, get rid of the libraries, the research institutes and the entire collection of human knowledge. That darn knowledge, you know it’s so damn risky.”

  “You say that now, mocking me. But let me say this: before this little exercise we are involved with is all played out, you’re going to wish with all your heart and soul that complete and total ignorance had been a viable option. I understand that, at present, we have no choice but to remain on this path but at the same time, I believe it is the most perilous and dangerous future that I can imagine. Read Brave New World, or 1984. Huxley and Orwell saw this coming and we didn’t pay enough attention. Now, it’s too late. And you, son, are a part of that brave new world.” Edward paused for effect, “And, perhaps worse, you are one of its parents, not its progeny. Ditto Bitsie Tolan.”

  “So, you think the DataLab Project is dangerous?”

  “If it were up to me, I’d destroy the whole damn thing, kit and caboodle. Then I’d make it a capital crime to ever engage in the collection, use and dissemination of this kind of data for these kinds of purposes. No trials; just line ‘em up and put’em down.”

  “Dad. It’s data. Not the bomb.”

  “I can track you and our entire family, going back a hundred generations, tell you where you’ve been, what you’ve bought and where you visited. I can track your spending habits, see your tax returns and figure out what kind of movies you like. There is almost nothing I cannot know or discover about you. From your cell phone, to your internet preferences to the car you drive and where you drive it, almost everything is now in digital form, and if it is knowable, then it may be known. By me or you. Or someone even more evil than me or you.”

  “A rather bleak view of the world.”

  “The law works only to protect me if you and your ilk decide to obey that law. If you don’t, then what recourse do I have? Sue the President or the Prime Minister? Fat lot that will do. I’ll be found out, silenced or dead before I even attempt to file the writ. That’s if I’m lucky. If it’s good old ‘national security’ then you’ll probably be introduced to new vocabulary word in the lexicon: rendition.”

  “I’m not a spy and I’m not a terrorist. What have I got to worry about?” Again, to Adam, these arguments were ludicrous. The digital age is upon us and there is simply no going back. There is only the future. Instead of re-living in a world that is now long dead, maybe it is better to turn our attention to how to fix the one we inhabit. Better bang for the buck.

  “Being called a ‘spy’ or a ‘terrorist’, that’s what. That’s all it takes; doesn’t need to be true. Write those magic words on a piece of magic paper, mark it ‘Executive Order #420-2015’ and you, Adam, are on your way to Guantanamo Bay or worse. Think it couldn’t happen? Think it won’t happen to you? Don’t be naïve. You’re important now but if that changes, you are expendable. Just like the rest of us.”

  “You think we should trash the DL Main? The entire DataLab Project. Let the Chinese or the Indians or the Saudis have a crack at it. Would that be better in your world, old man?”

  “Maybe. Maybe not. I’m fleshing out the problem, not the solution. Besides, is it even possible to shut the DL Main down?”

  “Oh, it’s possible all right. Not that I had this exact conversation in mind when I introduced a couple of little modifications into the programming eons ago, but I like having an ‘off’ switch if I need one.”

  “And do you?”

  “Nope. What I have is even better. It’s digital, ubiquitous and failsafe. They can fuck with anyone in the world they want, except me, and by ‘me’ I mean us.

  “Meaning?”

  “When it comes to DL Main, I truly am God. I can make it rain fucking fire if I so command. And the President, the Prime Minister and even you can’t do a single thing about it.

  “And if you’re suddenly dead?”

  “In this case, I cannot die. My very soul is digital.”

  Edward had no clue what Adam was blathering on about, but he assumed Adam did have an off switch. Or the equivalent thereof.

  “Let’s hope that’s enough.”

  Chapter 31

  “Rafi … Rafi, over here. Damn puto, I’m right in front of you!”

  “Oh fuck, there you are cabron. Man, it’s good to see you. Come to think of it, why am I seeing you? You in trouble? Again? Or is someone dead, getting christened, married or engaged?”

  “All of the above, sorta. I think Aunt Victoria’s eldest daughter is getting married. And she’s pregnant. You know, Marcia.”

  “Yeah, I know Marcia. So, does every guy from here to Sacramento. Friendly girl.” Rafi laughed.

  Rafael “Rafi” Ramirez was Adam’s older cousin from Seattle and even though he was almost fourteen when Adam was eleven, Rafi never talked down to his quasi-Canadian relation.

  Adam thought he got a raw deal at times; he was either treated like he was
twenty years old, as when he was in school, or five, as he was when he was with family. That meant his choices were either the language of bits and bytes, or baby talk. When Adam was eleven, he was eleven. He just wanted to have friends he could talk to and hang around with. He wanted to play sports and get into trouble. Grounded, if he could pull that off. But he never seemed to get the chance to just be eleven.

  Rafi seemed to get things right and just treated him like one of the gang – family gang that is. A little younger maybe, but a fun kid who was tough for his age, didn’t go crying to his mommy and was dependable. “Dependable” meant no narking out to the grownups over something the guys cooked up. Plus, Adam spoke Spanish, knew all the primos, boys and girls, and all the aunts and uncles and distant relations. He was one of them and Adam never let his cousin down.

  The other primos around Rafi’s age went along with the deal for their cousin but Adam knew that was only because Rafi said so. So, from an early age, Rafi was Adam’s favorite primo in Seattle and Adam could spend time with Rafi and his family so long as he was at Mass on Sunday morning. Maria kept a tight rein on the goings on in Seattle and worried nervously about Adam being away from Barrows Bay and her influence. Edward said it was good for Adam and tried not to worry. Too much, anyway.

  Adam just wanted to build a treehouse and sneak into movie theaters. Regular stuff.

  Rafi said, “So where’s your Dad, puto?”

  “I think he’s up over near the barbeque looking for Uncle Carlos. Have you seen him yet?”

  “Nope. Haven’t looked though. That dude scares the shit outta me. I like to keep my distance whenever I can.”

  “Carlito? Really? What’s he ever done to you?” Adam didn’t understand.

  “Nuthin’, and I want to keep it that way. He’s always lookin’ at me like he sees something, but he never likes what he sees, and it really pisses him off. Know what I mean?”

  “Kinda but he’s always been pretty good to me.”