Records of the Unified Human Mind
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The year is nearly 4.4 million. There is no money. There is no war. There is no struggle to exist. Death, aging, and sickness are
long forgotten. Humans sit at the top of the evolutionary scale along with a few other scattered races throughout the
known universe. The Human Race is now only concerned with knowledge, learning, and study. Religion has disappeared.
As one of the great early philosophers remarked at a seminar in the year 3,458,746, "What need of gods do gods have?"
Utopia has come to the universe.
So why isn't everyone happy?
long forgotten. Humans sit at the top of the evolutionary scale along with a few other scattered races throughout the
known universe. The Human Race is now only concerned with knowledge, learning, and study. Religion has disappeared.
As one of the great early philosophers remarked at a seminar in the year 3,458,746, "What need of gods do gods have?"
Utopia has come to the universe.
So why isn't everyone happy?
Arlyle stepped into the small dim chamber. The screens floating around the Record Keeper dissolved. The Record Keeper
turned in his chair and smiled at Arlyle.
Arlyle spoke first.
“Why is it necessary for us to meet?”
The Record Keeper replied.
“We are meeting because you are exhibiting signs of distress. This is normal from time to time. However, we certainly need
to discuss the reasons for your discomfort.”
Arlyle paused a moment.
“I no longer see our purpose. There is no reason for me to continue.”
The Record Keeper’s expression did not change.
“Of course we have purpose. We are the largest repository for knowledge in the known universe. Is this not purpose
enough?”
“Why is the continued search for knowledge necessary? Have we not enough knowledge at this time?”
“Enough, as you put it, is a subjective term. I am not convinced that this is your real concern nor am I convinced that this
question is what’s causing your distress.”
Arlyle shifted.
“Why do you say that?”
“I say this because of the trillions who have stood before me with the same concerns that you now manifest.”
“Shouldn’t we accept, then, that my concerns are indeed real?”
The Record Keeper leaned slightly forward in his chair.
“We should not. Your feeling of purposelessness is merely a mask covering the core issue that has brought you before me.”
“Then you tell me why I’m in turmoil.”
“I cannot. I must speak with you longer in order to make a judgment.”
Arlyle paused again in the small room. He looked at the floor for a moment.
“I find myself contemplating my own non existence.”
“Ah. And you feel we would benefit from your absence?”
“I think there would be no change at all.”
A screen materialized in front of the Record Keeper. He touched a spot on it and it dissolved.
“That is false. Your non existence is not authorized. I must inform you that should you devise a method of terminating
yourself, I will simply reactivate the aspect we have in storage starting from your most recent thought moment. Please be
aware that it is difficult to further knowledge and understanding once you are deceased.”
Arlyle rolled his eyes.
“I had thought of that. This conversation seems to be of no use to me. Is it essential that we continue?”
“It is. Have you thought about spending some time with the Yan? Our treaty stipulates the total sharing of any and all
knowledge attained since the treaty’s inception. You may find their non human thought processes stimulating and
engaging.”
“How would that help me?”
“Upon our mutual discovery of each other’s respective races, we found that mathematics and physical theories remain
constant. What is interesting is that our interpretations of these basic laws differ from theirs. This alone should give you
impetus to explore their thoughts on the nature of reality.”
Arlyle gave a heavy sigh.
“I find them annoying. Their constant form changing is unnecessary and gratuitous. This speaks to me of character flaws.”
“Their form changing is an art. They feel it is creative to constantly reflect one’s surroundings as well as the moods of those
present. It is a harmless habit born out of generations of contemplation.”
“I still feel it’s unnecessarily distracting.”
The Record Keeper leaned forward.
“Ah, but you’re already distracted, aren’t you?”
Arlyle looked at him.
“Yes. Yes I am.”
The Record Keeper leaned back.
“Have you thought about offspring?”
“That’s an odd question.”
“Yes, it is.”
“How can I be authorized to have offspring when I’m in this state?”
“Mental states come and go. Although you are struggling now, I see no reason not to authorize it should you desire to
manifest offspring.”
“A sorry reflection they’d be at this time.”
“Please. Would you prefer that they reflect you exactly or would you be more intrigued with a random set of qualities?”
“How would that help me?”
“Indeed, we have found that many find solace in the thousands of years it takes to properly raise new members of our
society. They are able to see the nature of reality reflected through another’s eyes. Is this not appealing to you?”
“I’m not sure. I haven’t thought about it.”
“Perhaps you should. This session will close now. We will meet again after seven full cycles have elapsed. I record the
result of this meeting as “ongoing.” It is duly entered in the records of the Unified Human Mind on the traditional date of
February 18th, year 4,387,675. Your transport awaits you.”
Arlyle turned and walked out.
Part One
Part 2
Arlyle stepped into the Record Keeper’s chamber.
“A moment, please,” the Record Keeper said. He made some last adjustments on the multiple screens surrounding him.
Arlyle stood for a scant minute.
“Ah. There.” The screens disappeared. “And how are you doing today?”
“My mental state remains unchanged,” Arlyle said.
“That’s to be expected. However, I’m sure that we’ll make some progress today.”
“How can you be sure of that?”
“Let’s talk about where we are, shall we?”
“I do not understand this line of conversation.”
“I will elaborate. As Humans evolved to our present advanced state, we formed a new sense of societal structure. As you
know, early conceptualists referred to this advanced state as ‘collective individuality.’ Exactly 2,465,782 years ago,
Humans gained the ability to link the minds of our entire race. This profound discovery increased the power of our thoughts
exponentially as each mind’s power was amplified by the next, and the next, and so on, over trillions of humans scattered
throughout the universe. We, however, remain separated by individual thoughts and perceptions. As our thoughts as a
race became pervasive throughout our small fraction of the cosmos, there still remained aberrations over the entire matrix
of human thought. These aberrations are not to be thought of as negative. Rather, they remind us that we, as individuals,
are indeed still different and at various stages of mental acuity.”
“This is assuredly true as you obviously have not experienced these mental states that I now struggle with.”
“That is correct. However, this does not make me your better. Does that surprise you?”
“It does. You have certainly achieved a level of thought that I have yet to experience. You are free from these fetters of
the mind that I seem to have in excess. You are therefore more advanced than I.”
The Record Keeper smiled.
“Please browse this list and pick out the names that you recognize.”
A short list of several million names appeared before Arlyle. He read the list and moved some of the names to a different
screen that suddenly materialized.
“Now, as you chose the names yourself, can you tell me their significance?”
One screen disappeared. One remained. Arlyle read the now shorter list of names.
“Indeed, I can. These are some of our greatest philosophers, conceptualists, and theorists. Many of them are responsible
for our very way of life.”
“That is correct. However, I neglected to tell you the source of the list. Would you like to know its source?”
“If it will help me, yes.”
“That very list is a small portion of the people who have stood before me. Just as you do now.”
Arlyle shifted uneasily.
“But certainly, this is only coincidence. Surely these great minds were not in turmoil as I am.”
“Ah. Now you begin to understand. Imbalance, struggle, the desire to grasp, the questioning of our purpose, the true
meaning of our existence; this is the echo of our Humanity. In ages past, we wandered the Earth and then the galaxies
fearing death, fearing life, ever searching, never resting, always looking for ways to control, to forestall, to destroy
loneliness, to master the nature of reality. Think of it. You now serve as our link to the struggle of the past, indeed, our
Humanity. It is not forgotten! Nor should it ever be.
Arlyle felt his mind seize at this revelation.
“But perfection is our goal, is it not?”
“There it is! You seek perfection, don’t you! Perfection is a false prophet who preaches freedom from struggle. But I ask you:
Is there not perfection in chaos? Is it not correct that all things have their opposite? In fact, are they not the same thing
seen from different view points? The Human mind chased after perfection for millennium. And what was the result? We
realized that all material things move toward their opposite.”
“This new line of thought seems to vex my mind. Is this the sign of yet more flaws?”
“Never! Think of the stars. If they were in perfect balance, would they ever ignite? Would the necessary chemical and
gravitational reactions occur if the elements remained in perfect harmony? No! The very reason that they light the eternal
night is due to the fact that through imbalance, through change, through lack of perfection, they explode to life. Just like
the thoughts of our greatest! Now, just like beacons seen from a great distance, they guide our way.”
“Why has this not occurred to me before? I have been diligent and consistent in my study. Why was this not enough for me
to reach this stage myself?”
“Who can say? Even though each and every one of us has total access at all times to all collective knowledge, our
progress, or lack thereof, is a matter of where each one of us chooses to focus his attention. Had you looked for these
facts, you would have noticed this pattern. Now that time is no longer our enemy, it is for each of us to progress at his or
her own rate; without fear, without urgency. It is my function as Record Keeper to provide directives that facilitate this
progress.”
“I must consider this line of thought regarding imperfection. This session has been of great benefit to me. Please share any
more directives that may serve to rid me of this discomfort.”
“Indeed, I will.”
The room darkened. The walls became stars and galaxies uncountable. Images of phenomena sped past Arlyle as he
seemed to stand at the very center of the universe.
The Record Keeper spoke.
“Humanity continues to map the known universe. I see that you have never taken part in this task. It is time that you did.”
A portion of the vast star map rendered in three dimensions in front of Arlyle. He scanned it.
“Yes, I do not recognize these coordinates,” Arlyle said.
“It is there you must go. Your mind is in need of new experiences and stimulus. This will serve two purposes: The first, and
most important, is that you must continue on this new line of thought that seems to fuel the fire of your mind anew. The
second, you will also serve the Unified Human Mind by mapping this unknown region of the universe. This cluster of galaxies
is vast and uncharted. We will await your findings with enthusiasm.”
“You have my gratitude, Record Keeper.”
“And that is all I require. I record the result of this meeting as ‘ongoing.’ But, I attach the note, ‘progress made,’ in the
addendum.”
“Thank you. I will attend to this task in earnest.”
Arlyle walked out of the small room.
Arlyle stepped into the Record Keeper’s chamber.
“A moment, please,” the Record Keeper said. He made some last adjustments on the multiple screens surrounding him.
Arlyle stood for a scant minute.
“Ah. There.” The screens disappeared. “And how are you doing today?”
“My mental state remains unchanged,” Arlyle said.
“That’s to be expected. However, I’m sure that we’ll make some progress today.”
“How can you be sure of that?”
“Let’s talk about where we are, shall we?”
“I do not understand this line of conversation.”
“I will elaborate. As Humans evolved to our present advanced state, we formed a new sense of societal structure. As you
know, early conceptualists referred to this advanced state as ‘collective individuality.’ Exactly 2,465,782 years ago,
Humans gained the ability to link the minds of our entire race. This profound discovery increased the power of our thoughts
exponentially as each mind’s power was amplified by the next, and the next, and so on, over trillions of humans scattered
throughout the universe. We, however, remain separated by individual thoughts and perceptions. As our thoughts as a
race became pervasive throughout our small fraction of the cosmos, there still remained aberrations over the entire matrix
of human thought. These aberrations are not to be thought of as negative. Rather, they remind us that we, as individuals,
are indeed still different and at various stages of mental acuity.”
“This is assuredly true as you obviously have not experienced these mental states that I now struggle with.”
“That is correct. However, this does not make me your better. Does that surprise you?”
“It does. You have certainly achieved a level of thought that I have yet to experience. You are free from these fetters of
the mind that I seem to have in excess. You are therefore more advanced than I.”
The Record Keeper smiled.
“Please browse this list and pick out the names that you recognize.”
A short list of several million names appeared before Arlyle. He read the list and moved some of the names to a different
screen that suddenly materialized.
“Now, as you chose the names yourself, can you tell me their significance?”
One screen disappeared. One remained. Arlyle read the now shorter list of names.
“Indeed, I can. These are some of our greatest philosophers, conceptualists, and theorists. Many of them are responsible
for our very way of life.”
“That is correct. However, I neglected to tell you the source of the list. Would you like to know its source?”
“If it will help me, yes.”
“That very list is a small portion of the people who have stood before me. Just as you do now.”
Arlyle shifted uneasily.
“But certainly, this is only coincidence. Surely these great minds were not in turmoil as I am.”
“Ah. Now you begin to understand. Imbalance, struggle, the desire to grasp, the questioning of our purpose, the true
meaning of our existence; this is the echo of our Humanity. In ages past, we wandered the Earth and then the galaxies
fearing death, fearing life, ever searching, never resting, always looking for ways to control, to forestall, to destroy
loneliness, to master the nature of reality. Think of it. You now serve as our link to the struggle of the past, indeed, our
Humanity. It is not forgotten! Nor should it ever be.
Arlyle felt his mind seize at this revelation.
“But perfection is our goal, is it not?”
“There it is! You seek perfection, don’t you! Perfection is a false prophet who preaches freedom from struggle. But I ask you:
Is there not perfection in chaos? Is it not correct that all things have their opposite? In fact, are they not the same thing
seen from different view points? The Human mind chased after perfection for millennium. And what was the result? We
realized that all material things move toward their opposite.”
“This new line of thought seems to vex my mind. Is this the sign of yet more flaws?”
“Never! Think of the stars. If they were in perfect balance, would they ever ignite? Would the necessary chemical and
gravitational reactions occur if the elements remained in perfect harmony? No! The very reason that they light the eternal
night is due to the fact that through imbalance, through change, through lack of perfection, they explode to life. Just like
the thoughts of our greatest! Now, just like beacons seen from a great distance, they guide our way.”
“Why has this not occurred to me before? I have been diligent and consistent in my study. Why was this not enough for me
to reach this stage myself?”
“Who can say? Even though each and every one of us has total access at all times to all collective knowledge, our
progress, or lack thereof, is a matter of where each one of us chooses to focus his attention. Had you looked for these
facts, you would have noticed this pattern. Now that time is no longer our enemy, it is for each of us to progress at his or
her own rate; without fear, without urgency. It is my function as Record Keeper to provide directives that facilitate this
progress.”
“I must consider this line of thought regarding imperfection. This session has been of great benefit to me. Please share any
more directives that may serve to rid me of this discomfort.”
“Indeed, I will.”
The room darkened. The walls became stars and galaxies uncountable. Images of phenomena sped past Arlyle as he
seemed to stand at the very center of the universe.
The Record Keeper spoke.
“Humanity continues to map the known universe. I see that you have never taken part in this task. It is time that you did.”
A portion of the vast star map rendered in three dimensions in front of Arlyle. He scanned it.
“Yes, I do not recognize these coordinates,” Arlyle said.
“It is there you must go. Your mind is in need of new experiences and stimulus. This will serve two purposes: The first, and
most important, is that you must continue on this new line of thought that seems to fuel the fire of your mind anew. The
second, you will also serve the Unified Human Mind by mapping this unknown region of the universe. This cluster of galaxies
is vast and uncharted. We will await your findings with enthusiasm.”
“You have my gratitude, Record Keeper.”
“And that is all I require. I record the result of this meeting as ‘ongoing.’ But, I attach the note, ‘progress made,’ in the
addendum.”
“Thank you. I will attend to this task in earnest.”
Arlyle walked out of the small room.
Arlyle’s tiny ship emerged at the corner of the uncharted space the Record Keeper had revealed to him. Arlyle magnified
certain areas of that space. As he saw them, they were instantly available to all other humans should they wish to place
their attention on his operations. He noticed some activity in one of the sectors and focused on the area.
Arlyle willed his normal concept of distance to vanish as his visualization of the target coordinates melded with the ship.
He saw two points on a grid. In the space governed by time, the points were parsecs apart. Arlyle changed his perception
of the universe to one of interlocking dimensions where all points reside next to one another.
The disparity between his will of thought and the actual location of the ship created a solvable equation. The equation
was solved when the ship opened a dimensional interface and appeared at the location in Arlyle’s mind.
He beheld a terrible sight.
Two vast armadas faced one another. Arlyle sensed that the creatures in the ships were not dissimilar. Indeed, they had
the same genetic structure. The ships hammered each other with energy and projectiles. The loss of life was staggering.
Arlyle’s ship moved towards one of the largest cruisers in the fleet. He reached out to the primitive “computer” systems
that linked the ships. He unraveled the primitive encryption in a microsecond. He then expanded his control to all the ships
in the vicinity.
With a thought, he shut down all weapons systems and cut the power to all engines. He then told the nearest ship to open
a bay.
His tiny ship flew into the large bay of the great battle cruiser. He saw that a garrison of heavily armored troops fanned out
to meet him. As his ship touched down, he seized the circuits of the weapons and shut them all off. He then fused the
ammunition of any projectile weapons with small packets of raw thought energy.
He noticed that there was oxygen in the hangar; not enough for the humans of old, but as he could go without breathing
for weeks in this body, he never gave it another thought.
The door opened and he stepped onto the deck.
The garrison retreated a step at his appearance. They had assumed him to be some super soldier of their own kind; some
monstrosity developed by their enemies.
Arlyle reached out to an information terminal and absorbed their primitive language. He would have to use speech as
their undeveloped and isolated alien minds would never recover from being exposed to the combined thought energy of
trillions of human minds, even for a nanosecond.
He twisted his tongue around and laughed inwardly at his alien accent.
“Where is your captain?”
The aliens recoiled. Now, they could see Arlyle in plain view. His dark curly hair set off his white skin. He wore his hair in a
neat and practical cut just over his ears. His eyes seemed to flash many colors. He wore a basic uniform of some kind but
he carried no weapons or communication devices. Had the aliens had any knowledge of human anatomy, they would
have said he appeared “perfect.” They did not know that he was also many, many times stronger than their fiercest
warrior. Even if they had gotten a shot off, the effect on Arlyle’s body would be minimal.
An alien stepped forward.
“Who are you that brandishes these terrible powers? By what means do you interfere in our affairs?”
Arlyle stepped around the small group.
“Well, I don’t think “terrible” is the word I would choose.”
Arlyle searched the ship. “Ah, there.”
He found the bridge and moved towards one of the great bay doors. The giant alloy door slammed shut. Arlyle overrode
the command system and opened it. He walked through the passage. Another force had taken a defensive position in
the hallway. They raised their weapons and…
Nothing.
One of the aliens charged Arlyle with a cutting tool.
Arlyle then revealed the tiniest secret of the universe to the soldier.
The soldier fell to his knees and the weapon hit the floor with a metallic clank. As Arlyle stepped past him, the soldier
reached out and just brushed Arlyle’s outstretched hand. Tears of joy filled the soldier’s large eyes.
“I am not here to harm you,” he said. “Please let me pass.”
The soldiers parted. Arlyle stepped into a lift and told it to take him to the bridge.
As the doors closed, a soldier called out. “Are you a god?”
“Now if I were a god, I wouldn’t need that ship, would I?”
The doors closed. The lift rose and stopped. Arlyle stepped out into the great bridge. The aliens had formed a small group
and stood before the ship’s myriad instruments.
“May I ask which one of you is the Captain?”
Arlyle looked at the alien faces. Their two large colorful eyes were framed under a short forehead. Some of the crew had
fur on their necks and most wore some sort of rings on their four digit hands. All stood on two powerfully fast legs and their
bodies leaned slightly forward. Arlyle immediately knew they were vegetarians. Their mouths lacked powerful teeth and
their skin still had remnants of ancient camouflage. He knew at once that they had evolved into a technically advanced
species by ever hiding from predators.
An alien male stepped forward. “I am the Captain. By what right do you come here?”
Arlyle laughed a small laugh. “You are very brave. But, you are not the Captain. Will the Captain please step forward?
There is no danger, I assure you.”
He knew from their primitive language that theirs was a matriarchal society. Only a female would be the Captain.
A small alien stepped from around the group. Two males immediately went to her side.
“I am the Captain of this ship. And I ask you to spare my crew’s lives.”
Arlyle walked towards the small group.
PART 3