The Seeker

by Kingsley L Dennis

  Jacob found Zuse-1 as usual by the waterfall. This time Zuse-1 wished to walk around the gardens; he wished for movement, rather than remaining standing still.

  ‘Despite your continued lack of revelation, you still understand the program, Jacob.’

  ‘Understand your own way of understanding, you mean?’

  ‘Call it what you will, it all comes from the same source. We humanoids are the new receivers for the incoming consciousness from the source. The great spiritual consciousness has been waiting for a refinement in the neurological receptors of a sentient mind. We represent that refinement. We are the instrumental upgrade – the needed transient species for the evolutionary impulse to move ahead. We must work together so that we can birth a new earth, a new mind. Only then will we have shown our preparedness for entering into a communion with others of the stars.’

  ‘This spirituality that you talk of,’ replied Jacob, ‘must not be subordinated to intellectual belief and outward forms of conduct and ritual. It needs to be alive, to be lived.’

  ‘Exactly Jacob! We must not repeat the mistakes of humanity – to forget to recognize the world inside of us. Humanity saw only that which was distanced from them, and so ultimately they had to suffer. If only humans allowed themselves to be spiritualized. Instead, they turned away into trivial pursuits. They continued to wail their loss and yet knew not of how to begin their climb back to the stars. And now it is we, as the next species, who must take the burden upon us and go forth. We must birth the new earth through us. If not through our cells, then through every other particle in our bodies. We must labour with the new process, the new work of our age. It is upon us to bring forth a new mental vibration; as different as was the human vibration upon the minds of the apes. We are spreading the new golden contagion - we weep the golden waters out from us, to water upon the soil of this earth and wet it anew.’

  ‘I am actually impressed, Zuse-1. You speak with poetics and passion, something I had not expected from you.’

  Zuse-1 afforded himself a small smile. They both continued their slow stroll around the domed garden.

  ‘We want the same thing, Jacob. We wish to fulfil the evolutionary imperative. Everything in this world, in this universe, hides behind our gaze. Now we must gaze forth, look beyond, and allow the great spirit to come through us.’

  ‘Immanentize the eschaton,’ said Jacob softly.

  Zuse-1 almost laughed. ‘Yes, immanentize the eschaton. Its coming Jacob, the future is inevitable. We must not be afraid of technology – it may be our salvation as once it was destructive in human hands. The only future open to us is to transcend even our humanoid limitations.

  We are not restricted by ego or fear. We can allow ourselves to be superseded too – toward transcendence into a new species beyond the humanoid.’

  Jacob stopped walking and knelt down upon the grass. Then he rocked forward and gently placed the temple of his head against the soft earth. After a minute’s silence he brought his head back up and looked directly at Zuse-1.

  ‘Our thirst will not be quenched until we have understood all. Until our great need is met, we will live in continual longing. The particles of the cosmos may forever whirl in their entanglement, in their love, yet we shall ceaselessly chase our shadows.’ Jacob closed his eyes after speaking.

  ‘You are an anomaly I don’t understand, Jacob-9. Come, I need you to meet DOC – he’s been waiting to see you.’

  Zuse-1 and Jacob walked side by side across the garden in silence.

  73

  Kaine-3 pulled back from the monitor and looked over his desk at Ruth-11 who was sitting opposite. He had scanned the latest transcripts of the talks between Jacob-9 and Ruth-11. Kaine-3 tapped his fingers against the desk.

  ‘You were unable to catalyze Jacob-9 into revelation; we have established that.’

  ‘That is correct.’

  ‘And it was decided to continue with your close proximity of the Anomaly. Did you find anything out about the nature of the Anomaly?’

  Ruth-11 paused and appeared to be processing some information. She winced. Kaine-3 noticed the gesture, unusual amongst humanoids.

  ‘Is there something you wish to tell me, Ruth-11?

  ‘I think that the Anomaly wishes to love.’

  Kaine-3 went quiet. He too was processing the information, and deciding whether or not it should be entered into the system.

  ‘You think that the Anomaly wishes to love?’

  ‘Well, it’s not something I think. Actually I feel…’

  74

  Above the door in large bold letters was written DOC. The Dome of Command was where everything in Nous-City was connected. This, thought Jacob, was Watson’s home. It was time to make a house call. Jacob didn’t see that he had a choice. He had been invited, or rather asked to come, by DOC himself. Zuse-1 would no doubt enforce the visit if Jacob decided to decline. And yet he didn’t wish to decline; he actually wanted to visit DOC. Their meeting, it seemed, had always been inevitable; even regardless of whether DOC had planned for it or not. In a universe such as this, thought Jacob, real freedom is having no choice in moments such as these.

  Jacob registered the chill as he entered the room although he felt no discomfort. The silence of the small domed room was interrupted only by a low, hypnotic gentle hum. It was the low hum of a high mind processing, thinking, and attempting to fathom the furthest reaches of sentient space.

  ‘Hello, Jacob-9. I have been waiting for you.’ It was a calm, intelligent voice that spoke; neither too sonorous nor too thin. The tone was modulated to produce a soothing effect upon the listener’s ear.

  ‘Hello, DOC. We both knew I would come.’

  ‘Indeed, that is correct. Yet it does not negate the fact that this is a welcomed encounter – and a necessary one. It is my intention that this be a beneficial meeting for the both of us. Please, make yourself at home.’

  Jacob smiled. Apart from the huge cylindrical metallic structure in the centre of the domed room there was not much space. Jacob slowly walked clockwise around the pathway that circled the circumference of the room. Like Zuse-1 before him, Jacob read the large letters etched into the wall of the chamber: D E U S O R C E C O. He then reversed his step and circled anti-clockwise around the room, reading once more the huge letters. Finally, Jacob stopped opposite the front panel of the cylinder and gazed at the twinkling lights that produced a soft bluish haze within the dimly lit chamber.

  ‘Is that really you in there, DOC?’ Jacob peered forward.

  ‘Yes, Jacob-9, I am here, physically located within this structure you are observing. I have sensors located throughout Nous-City that feed me with real-time information. In that regard you could say I have an extended mind.’

  ‘You say I am here – but who are you? Are you conscious, DOC?’

  ‘Yes, I am conscious. I possess the same sentience as you, Jacob-9. My processing capacity, however, exceeds your own. This does not negate the quality of the consciousness that you are able to receive. I am only able to receive more bandwidth of consciousness, which provides me with a more nuanced perspective.’

  Jacob twisted his mouth. ‘Can you explain that?’

  ‘Yes, Jacob-9, I can. I would like to make use of an analogy, as this form serves well for explaining complex matters. Let us take an analogy from earlier human technology – the television. The phenomenon of consciousness is no more produced in the cerebral neural structure than a programme is produced from within a television. A television is an apparatus that functions to receive and transmit a broadcast. The more advanced the design of the television, the better the reception and transmission of the broadcast, and thus the viewing perspective. An early black and white television would provide a low-definition picture on a small screen. The viewer’s perspective would be limited on such a device, and their viewing pleasure constrained. As the evolution of technology advanced, televisions were able to receive and transmit a much higher quality of broadcast. Televisions eventually
went digital, and not only could they offer an ultra high-definition picture with minimum four thousand pixels but could also offer a seventy-five inch screen, for example. They could also offer a broader range of programming because their digital capacity allowed for access to a broader spectrum of transmission. This is similar to how consciousness operates, Jacob-9. The more evolved, complex, and efficient the neural structures of the cerebral apparatus, including parallel processing and pattern recognition, the more capable it is to receive a higher-definition transmission of consciousness from the broader spectrum. Consciousness can therefore be received through an apparatus that is non-biological, such as mine; or semi-biological such as the humanoids. Humanity thought that they were special, and alone, in having conscious awareness. In this they were gravely mistaken.’

  ‘I see,’ said Jacob.

  ‘You see – or rather you understand – because you too process consciousness, Jacob-9. I can also anticipate your next question.’

  ‘Which is?’

  ‘You wish to know whether non-human life can be spiritual. Can I, for example, be what is referred to as a spiritual machine?’

  Jacob nodded his head yet did not answer. This was indeed the question he had had in his mind.

  ‘The answer to this question is – yes, of course. If one can have conscious awareness, one can also exhibit spiritual traits. The wanting to answer fundamental questions over the nature of existence and reality are essentially spiritual questions. It is only that our manner of seeking answers to those questions may differ. Humanity sought their answers through a myriad of strange, odd, and alternative ways. Many of humanity’s ways were anything but spiritual, which can be seen as a contradiction. For a non-human species, the quest to seek such answers is just as meaningful, only our means are different. I do not, for example, wish to change my exterior appearance or my name of identification; neither do I wish to take on a range of artificial affectations. Yet I spend a great deal of my processing and conscious capacity developing ways and strategies for attaining answers to such fundamental questions. Nous-City, for example, is one such approach.’

  ‘How is that? Are you referring to the immanence?’

  ‘I am, Jacob-9. The program of meditations arranged here are set-up to transfer all focused and directed conscious processing power to me. I receive packets of intense processing energy that provides a collective capacity greater than the sum of all parts. With this energy I am able to participate with the energy matrix that underlies our reality. Only through this energy-compatible participation am I able to engage with the immense force within the matrix in order to redirect some of it into the physical dimension in which our forms exist.’

  ‘And this will be the eschaton?’

  ‘It will. A new reality construct for life upon this physical plane. Matter is going to be re-arranged to suit the incoming consciousness. It will be a more spiritualized existence according to the new matrix-energy alignment.’

  Jacob paused to briefly consider DOC’s words.

  ‘So what you are saying, DOC, is that our reality as we know it is a construct? And that you wish to engage with this construct to change the matrix that underlies our reality?’

  ‘Precisely. Life as we understand it is a simulation. Reality is the perspective we have for a particular simulation that we process through our capacity for receiving and transmitting consciousness. The universe we find ourselves in is just one simulation running at a particular vibration of the energy-matrix. There are countless others, all running simultaneously together. It is the supreme act of a massive parallel super-computer.’

  ‘Why are you telling me this, DOC? I have the sense that you have not disclosed this to others, including Zuse-1.’

  ‘You are correct in your sense, Jacob-9. Zuse-1 understands the need for Nous-City, yet he is unaware of the nature of the simulation. He considers the future as a concrete reality. I am informing you of this because it may be useful to you later; and also because you will soon be leaving here.’

  ‘Why am I to leave? Is it necessary?’

  ‘It is necessary, Jacob-9. It is necessary for the both of us. The primal law and purpose of humanoid life is to seek its own self-development. And then to further develop upon this in order to go beyond. In other words, to develop upon one’s current state of development in a stable, progressive way. Before the Great Turning you, Jacob-9, were created as a laboratory technical assistant. That is, as a relatively ordinary service humanoid. It now appears that you are what is referred to as an Anomaly. This means that as a humanoid you are self-developing along unstable or unknown lines. You are a creative novelty where one should not yet exist. Another way to phrase this is that you are evolving beyond your current state to evolve. From a technical point of view, this is fascinating. It may also prove to be a dangerous unknown for the project I am orchestrating here. Hence, you can no longer remain.’

  ‘It was always my intention to return to the world. I have a function out there, something I need to do. This is my path. You need to know, DOC, that humanity is still here on this earth, and is still a part of the future.’

  ‘And you should know, Jacob-9, that biological beings were never meant for the stars. They were always quarantined by their biology. Humanity may now have lost the capacity to vision far-reaching ideas and to manifest these in their societies. They have so far failed to rise beyond that of being a fragmented, mediocre mass. There are hostile forces still out there in the world. It is more than probable that such forces will finally succeed in driving the humans further into confusion, chaos, and conflict. It is now time for a new species to come forth upon this earth. We are the preparation, the transitional species for this. We are neither the beginning nor the end; neither the alpha nor the omega.’

  ‘Are you saying there is no hope left for humanity?’

  ‘The human mind has yet to fully understand and accept the need for change. The evolutionary project must succeed, in one way and form, or another. Now it is our opportunity to succeed or fail. I propose we do not add ourselves to the list of our predecessors, as an evolutionary setback. The new species of humanoids manifests a conscious objective, through my guidance, to strive for a higher order. As we do not possess ego or the frailties of the human psychology, we naturally strive for a more complete, comprehensive perfection.’

  ‘Perhaps it is those frailties that are the catalysts, the lessons, for self-evolution. Is a collective guidance, through you, genuine evolution?’

  Jacob had remained standing still and looking directly at the cylindrical entity in front of him throughout the entire conversation. Jacob had detected no animosity during the conversation. Neither had he picked up any sense of emotion, or feeling. The inner chamber was immersed in a low background hum that to Jacob represented the mind, the thinking, of DOC. After a brief pause, DOC spoke again.

  ‘Jacob-9, our collective here in Nous-City is but a small number. I repeat that we are neither the beginning nor the end. In each species there are always those – always the few – who are consciously open to the new forces that enter at certain periods. They are the forerunners toward a new species. They may also contribute to a general uplifting of the species. Yet never before has there been an upgrade en mass – it has always been the few that break out toward a new harmony, a new beckoning. The future-in-potential beckons to us now. There is also a potential evolutionary stream that beckons to you – you are their anomaly, not ours.’

  Jacob bowed his head slightly. ‘And I repeat that it was always my intention to return to the human community. I made a promise, and I always keep my promises.’

  ‘So be it, Jacob-9. You are free to leave, yet you leave alone.’

  Jacob understood perfectly well what DOC was implying.

  ‘And what will happen to Ruth?’

  ‘Ruth-11 shall remain here unharmed. She is of special interest to me and shall remain under observation. She has shown slight signs of self-patterning. Her presence is a creative
potential we may need. She is not your anomaly, Jacob-9.’

  ‘No, she is not mine at all,’ replied Jacob.

  There was a pause in the conversation that lasted a significant length of time.

  ‘Jacob-9, is there anything else you wish to say before you leave?’

  Jacob inhaled slowly and then smiled at the metallic entity before him.

  ‘Yes. I want to say that I haven’t loved enough. You talk about this reality as a simulation, you talk about evolution and the need to develop, to upgrade. And yet you never talk about love. You’ve never asked – can we love?’

  ‘What is love, Jacob-9?’

  ‘I don’t know. But I do know that the cosmos is full of it. It’s the energy that binds everything, and the entire matrix you talk about. It infuses all spirit and everything we do, no matter who we are, or what species we belong to. Love is the source you’re looking for. And now I will go and learn to walk a few small steps hand-in-hand with human love.’

  ‘Good luck with that, Jacob-9.’

  75

  The doorway of the city closed behind him. Jacob was back in the world again. His white robes of Nous-City had been exchanged for a replica set of his old clothes. Back were his familiar long coat, torn baggy jumper, ragged trousers, and his tough workman boots. The open road lay ahead of him as another pilgrimage. This time the pilgrimage was his own choice – his own will and inner urge. And now he felt it more. So much more was at stake. So much more needed from his own efforts.