Agriculture Maniac

Chapter 566 Psychological Games and the Brain-Computer Market

If the Morgan financial group was the 'engine' of North American federal industrialization, then...

Welch was the chief engineer in charge of engine maintenance in the post-Morgan era.

He was born in Salem, Massachusetts in 1935. He later attended the University of Illinois, where he earned a Ph.D. in chemical engineering and joined General Electric’s plastics division as an engineer.

He then spent 20 years successively serving as General Manager of General Chemicals and Metallurgy, Vice Chairman of General Electric, and Chairman and CEO of General Electric.

Then, over the next 20 years, the company integrated General Electric, divested redundant businesses, abolished lifetime employment, and laid off more than 10 employees, making General Electric the world's largest entity and propelling it to become the world's most profitable and second-largest company in terms of market capitalization.

Entering the new century, Welch was voted the world's number one CEO.

Its creations such as Six Sigma, 4E1P, and the Vitality Curve have become indispensable management tools for physical enterprises.

Jack Welch himself, along with the translation of his autobiography into the East in 2001, which sold over 100 million copies, was wildly adored by Eastern managers.

Most importantly, Welch was not only a manager, but also a GE talent who started from the bottom at GE and participated in R&D, manufacturing, market research, and business operations.

Using a term from the game, they are also called hexagonal warriors.

Therefore, Welch attached great importance to the emerging field of 'brain-computer interface' from the very beginning.

However, the development of the three-system brain-computer interface was very secretive and unknown to the outside world. The oil tycoon's "brain in a vat" was so outrageous that it was hard for the outside world to accept. In addition, the three-in-one technology competition created a series of new things, such as graphics card matrix, cloud data, AI artificial intelligence, 3G mobile phones, gene optimization engineering, UHF communication starlink, command and combat platform, various nanomaterials, various new composite materials, etc.

This has led to GE never prioritizing brain-computer interfaces in its research and development.

The relevant research progress is limited to the level of reading, compiling, and outputting brainwaves.

This also led to the fact that after General Electric recruited all the researchers from the oil tycoon's Brain in a Cylinder project, the brain-computer interface system they hastily created and the subsequent research and development direction they formulated are completely different from what the three systems currently present.

According to the Morgan Group's analysis, the brain-computer interfaces currently presented by the three systems can be mainly divided into two types.

One type is the invasive brain-computer interface, which involves implanting electrode devices into the brain or cerebral cortex through craniotomy or minimally invasive surgery to directly collect high-spatial-temporal brain nerve signals.

Then, the three-system AI recognizer identifies valid brainwaves, and a compiler with a translation accuracy of over 60% translates the brain-computer language. Finally, the three-system radio frequency chip transmits the language wirelessly to an external electronic device, thus realizing 'brain-machine interaction', or brain-computer interface for short.

Currently, this technology is mainly used in prosthetics, rehabilitation of hemiplegic/vegetative patients, and operation/performance of unmanned equipment.

The future development direction may be:

Doctors implanted a more advanced brain-computer interface, using an AI system to control countless nanorobots, enabling them to perform a series of surgeries that are currently impossible.

The nature of warfare has been completely changed, with countless brain-computer interface users lying in the rear, operating unmanned equipment to rush to the front lines.

The second type is non-invasive brain-computer interface (BCI). It uses simple electrodes, specialized electrodes, an electrode helmet, and an electrode medical capsule to collect human neuronal signals remotely. Then, with the help of a compiler with a translation accuracy of about 40%, brain-computer language is derived, and human-computer interaction is achieved.

Currently, this technology is mainly used in inexpensive prosthetics, glasses for the blind, cochlear implants, megaphones for the deaf and mute, VR games, and unmanned equipment operation/performance.

The future development direction is to fill or assist the first type of brain-computer interface, which is suitable for the general public.

It can be said that the three-system brain-computer interface is just an external tool.

The oil tycoon's brain-in-a-vat system represents another extreme.

It does not focus on EEG acquisition, nor does it have an EEG compiler; its main focus is on 'direct neural connection'.

Just like a prosthetic foot.

The three-system foot design has no direct connection with the user. It's like putting on shoes; once you slip them on, they match your personal information and adapt for a period of time. Then, the AI ​​foot design can connect with brain-computer signals.

The petroleum-affiliated prosthesis involves surgically cutting open the user's residual limb to locate the bones, nerves, blood vessels, muscle fibers, etc., and then connecting them to the prosthesis – the foot – before using biotechnology to activate, suture, and fix it.

This technology sounds like science fiction, but artificial lungs, artificial hearts, and so on all use this docking method.

Of course, this is just a prosthetic limb, not a brain in a vat.

Therefore, the research direction of the petroleum faction is to gradually remove human organs, ultimately leaving only the brain.

Thus, the mechanized torso becomes the container; the only fleshy tissue—the brain—becomes the actuator; the whole can both move and be fixed in the petri dish.

Correspondingly, by manufacturing a large mechanical torso and then transplanting the culture dish containing the brain onto it, users can also achieve 'brain + tank - human-tank integration' and 'brain + mech - human-machine integration'.

In terms of related weaponry and combat capabilities, it can completely overwhelm the brain-computer interface systems of the three systems.

According to the Pingdong Science and Technology Bureau's plan, if this step is achieved, users can survive for at least 300 years.

If, within these 300 years, humans successfully replicate brain consciousness and upload it to a machine chip, users can achieve immortality.

At the same time, consciousness can be attached to data and transmitted using light signals, enabling light-speed movement based on electronic devices.

As a broker of physical industries and a materialist, Welch initially scoffed at the idea of ​​a "brain in a vat."

He even mocked the oil tycoon in front of Morgan, saying he was obsessed with science fiction movies and had been fooled by the Pingdong Science and Technology Bureau.

But after winning over the researchers at the "brain in a vat" project of the oil tycoon and gaining a thorough understanding of the situation...

Welch was shocked on the spot.

First, the three systems provided numerous materials that were unheard of, unseen, and currently impossible for humans to produce, free of charge.

For example, materials with a purity of up to 99% at room temperature.

For example, materials with a purity of up to 98% in very low-temperature environments.

At that moment, Welch saw a ghost for the first time in his life.

Secondly, the three lineages provided traditional Chinese medicine, three-lineage genes, and other core theories and technologies related to the brain in the cytometer free of charge.

For example, acupuncture theory, moxibustion theory, and acupoint hypothesis.

For example, gene deletion, life support systems, neural interface technology…

Thirdly, the progress of the Brain in the Cylinder project, driven by the three factions and the oil faction, has entered the stage of replacing the head.

What shocked Welch was not the progress of the brain in a vat, nor the fact that the brain in a vat could actually be realized.

Instead, what did Yu Sanyuan, who consistently opposed capital, gain from all that the oil tycoon had acquired?
After all, it was an equal exchange between the two sides.

This shows that the three-system brain-computer interface engineering is far more complex than it appears on the surface.

This is clearly not good news for the Morgan financial group.

After all, 'advanced' means monopoly.

Being 'out of touch' means being harvested.

Therefore, Welch adopted a very humble stance in this negotiation.

In particular, the fact that the group doesn't care about the market and that Morgan's proposal to "flip the table" by using the influence of the Morgan financial group to ban brain-computer interface technology is simply unrealistic and cannot stop the development of the three-system brain-computer interface.

That's why.

The moment the box door opened, Welch greeted the guests with a broad smile, displaying a mix of respect and politeness.
"Mr. Yu..."

Then he saw Old Bu and Old Smith sitting on either side of Yu Sanyuan, like guardian deities.

This moment.

The air seemed to freeze. Welch knew that Old Brooks and Old Smith had gone to Dongshan Prefecture to play golf, and he also knew that the two brothers had been ripped off by Yu Sanyuan and had invested a huge sum of money in Dongshan Prefecture.

He had assumed that after the matter was over, Old Bush and Old Smith would go somewhere else, either busy dealing with investments in Europe, the Arctic, and the oil countries, or busy dealing with the Mexican war.

To everyone's surprise, the two of them were still hanging out with Yu Sanyuan.

This forced Welch to reconsider the Mexican conflict.

Because California, controlled by Old Smith, and Texas, controlled by Old Bush, are the two richest states in the federal government.

Furthermore, Old Smith owns ADM, a global grain trader, numerous farms in Texas, and together they control the secondary root server of the Triple Communications network, as well as control over Agriculture 3.0 in California and Texas…

If we include the surrounding states, and if Bush and Smith were to seize power during the Mexican crisis, the Morgan financial group would be in serious trouble.

Within a second, Welch's mind raced, a thousand thoughts racing through his mind, before his expression returned to normal. He greeted Old Brooks and Old Smith, "You two are here too."

Old Bu never considered independence, but weakening the Morgan Group's military power was a fact that had already occurred. To avoid further misunderstanding, he smiled and nodded, then picked up the gas pipeline construction drawings in front of Yu Yang and explained:

“I recently invested in Dongshanfu, and many projects have already started. I took the opportunity to come and take a look.”

Welch stared at the upside-down construction drawings, his cheek twitching. "You can understand them?"

Old Bu: "."

Old Smith remained calm. "We really didn't understand it, which is why we came over to Chairman Yu's side to learn about it while we ate."

Welch had only said it casually and didn't take it too seriously. After sitting down, he sniffed the special-supply liquor in his wine glass and said, "I can't buy a bottle of Chairman Yu's liquor for 30 US dollars in North America. I'm in for a treat today."

"Is it selling so well?"

In the forum, experts and professors also analyzed why people in North America rarely drink baijiu (Chinese liquor).

For example, people in North America are not suited to drinking baijiu (Chinese white liquor).

For example, North America does not have a culture of baijiu (Chinese liquor).

For example, liquor is relatively expensive.

Therefore, people in North America believe that there is no need to spend money to buy spirits that can easily make them drunk.

However, in reality, North America had a long period of craze for spirits, to the point that North America had to enact a 'prohibition' order.

They claimed that baijiu is a toxic liquid, harmful to all living things, and even that it is a drug that is addictive and deprives the public of their wealth.

At this point, baijiu gradually faded from the North American market, while red wine and other spirits began to sell well.

This led to the creation of a large number of wine companies and a large number of wealthy individuals.

This shows that what kind of alcohol people drink is actually determined by capital.

Even the choice of beverages, bread, and instant noodles is driven by capital.

Therefore, North American capitalists do not reject baijiu (Chinese liquor).

On the contrary, because of the three-stage brewing process, it becomes more and more flavorful the more you taste it, and you like and enjoy it more and more.

Welch picked up his wine glass, took a sip, and savored it carefully. "This is Daqu, made from three-line wheat flour, pressed into bricks, and stored for many years to attract microorganisms to build nests and reproduce. Then it comes into contact with three-line wheat and peas to brew the grains into alcohol..."

Although the microorganisms inside are quite diverse, some beneficial to the human body and others being miscellaneous bacteria, the three-stage filtration technology, including steaming, fermentation, and distillation, makes this Daqu (a type of starter culture) entirely beneficial to the human body, with a rich and varied flavor, possessing complexity and layers… It's a fine liquor, far superior to the factory-exclusive sauce-flavored liquor I tasted before.”

Yu Yang raised an eyebrow and looked at his wine glass.

Brewing wine takes time; it's difficult to achieve it through shortcuts.

Therefore, the special-supply wines in the factory are all brewed by the Jingyanggang Winery, which they acquired themselves. They searched far and wide for master brewers, and with years of experience and three types of grains, they used the mills and cellars in the town center to truly brew the wines.

Based on the type of process, it is divided into special koji, first koji, large koji, etc.

Depending on the type of grain, it is further divided into different aroma types.

Furthermore, there is blending involved. For example, 100ml of baijiu might contain 1% 20-year-old Touqu, 5% 10-year-old Daqu, 10% 5-year-old Tequ, and 50% new liquor…

Whether it tastes good or not is up to the drinker's taste.

Some people like 36 degrees, some like 42 degrees, some like 52 degrees, and some like 72 degrees.

Some people even prefer the spring-scented aroma brewed with spring water from Dongshanfu, while others prefer the sesame aroma brewed using the Jingzhi craftsmanship from Weicheng, and still others prefer the herbal aroma independently developed by the factory.

Therefore, the culture of baijiu (Chinese liquor) is about suitability, not price.

Therefore…

Yu Yang raised his glass. "Since it sells so well in North America, it means that people in North America really like Sanxi Baijiu. In that case, the import tariffs on Sanxi Baijiu need to be lowered, and the amount of Sanxi Baijiu on supermarket shelves needs to be increased (market share)."

Welch smiled and said, "I completely agree with Mr. Yu's suggestion, but compared to baijiu (Chinese liquor), I prefer the three-system brain-computer interface. It's a very amazing new thing."

"The market and profits of liquor will be squeezed out by counterfeit liquor, and brain machines will be squeezed out by imitation products."

"We will introduce relevant legislation, just like protecting the three-system liquor, to ensure all the interests of the three-system brain-computer interface in the market."

"What do you want?"

“Low-cost or free licensing of tri-system brain-computer interface technology, affordable supply of tri-system brain-computer interface materials, and 10% profit margin for tri-system brain-computer interfaces in the North American market.”

Old Bu, who was sitting to the side listening, understood what the two sides were talking about.

The Morgan Group plans to introduce tri-system brain-computer interfaces and guarantees that there will be no "Prohibition"-like measures, allowing tri-system brain-computer interfaces to develop freely in the North American market.

Correspondingly, the three systems need to provide brain-computer interface technology, brain-computer interface materials, and 10% of the profits in the North American market.

As for brain-computer interface safety, such as whether it will affect the user's thinking and thoughts, as well as brain-computer interface sequelae, such as whether it will cause intellectual disability, dementia, or physical disability, these issues have been ignored by both parties.

This may seem crazy, but it actually reflects the Morgan Group's assessment that its brain-computer interface technology has fallen far behind the three systems.

Just like in the 1980s and 90s, when Western electronics flooded into the East, the East did not consider information security, network security, public opinion issues, etc. for the time being.

Considering his own interests, Bush raised his glass and said, "Mr. Welch, the North American Federation is not something that the Morgan Group can decide on its own. I think it is necessary to go through Congress to decide on the introduction of brain-computer interfaces."

After saying that, he exchanged a glance with old Smith.

The latter understood what he meant; it was simply that he didn't want the Morgan Group to have a monopoly in the brain-computer interface field. In addition, David had also obtained the brain-in-a-vat technology, and the Smith family also needed the brain-computer interface market. Therefore, he raised his glass and said, "Mr. Brooks is right."

Welch narrowed his eyes as he looked at the two brothers who were colluding with Yu Sanyuan. "I haven't settled accounts with you for what happened in Mexico yet. Shouldn't we bring that up in Congress?"

Large-scale capital battles, considering the potential impact such as too many casualties and damage to one's public image, are generally not made public.

Welch's words were clearly a threat to Bush, implying that "with Bush in office, the cover-up has been torn off, and it's the Bush family that's losing face."

Old Bu raised his head, met the other person's gaze, and said without backing down, "I absolutely must have a share in the brain-computer interface market."

Seeing this, Yu Yang lowered his head to eat his food, pretending to play on his phone.

In reality, they were fueling the fire and helping to expose the situation in Mexico.

(End of this chapter)