Puzzle Madness

Chapter 52 Advancement
"Speaking of which, there's a rumor circulating in our university: a group of people are still thinking about recreating [the ARPANET], and are taking action to promote its development and popularization. Not just for semi-military use like before, but for civilian use."

"Moreover, this rumor may not only be circulating at Nanyang Technological University."

"I have a friend at the University of Malaya, and he's heard this too. And it seems like it's not just in Southeast Asia, many universities overseas have also heard similar news—"

Richard raised his eyebrows and loosened his grip on his hair. It seemed that the mathematician's sudden question had eased his scalp itch:

"Oh, you mean the [Cyber ​​Propulsion Molecule]? I actually know that."

Doudou, upon hearing the new term, snapped his head back:
"What molecule? There's even this kind of urban legend? What kind of monster is this? I haven't seen it in Parapsychology. I know what the ARPANET is—the doctor mentioned it before, so just talk about something else."

Richard almost emptied out all his previous negative emotions and returned to a gentle and friendly expression - perhaps it was just the training he received that allowed him to maintain his excellent acting skills:

"Haha, of course they're not monsters; they're just a bunch of weirdos. They seem to be pretty smart, too. But they're not that dangerous, are they? Our department has dealt with packages involving them before."

"As for what we did, it was pretty much the same as what the doctor said; we were calling on the authorities to resume development of the [ARPANET], and sometimes we'd do some pranks. Because the project had been abandoned by the US government and banned by various political entities around the world."

"Not to mention private enterprises, groups, and companies. The Asia-Europe Post sometimes sends us out—um, probably to stop the destructive behavior of cyber-promoters."

"So this group of people generally don't operate openly, like some kind of secret society: they mostly just do research in private, and they don't do anything particularly bad."

"I don't understand why these guys, called 'network promoters,' are so obsessed with the electronic information network. When I first heard about it, I thought they were promoting a logistics network."

"Look at how developed the logistics network is now? And it's already very convenient."

The mathematician's eyes began to bulge - they seemed to be almost hitting the lenses of his glasses; this made him look like he had hyperthyroidism.

Compared to his current tone, his previous harshness was quite restrained. Veins bulged on his skinny face, and his fists, which were almost boneless, clenched and crackled.

"Wait! Don't say that to Doudou!"

"You work for a company like Asia-Europe Post, so of course you think the logistics network is advanced—but how does it compare to a telephone? Can it even be compared to the efficiency of mobile phones and pagers in terms of information exchange? Not to mention that even voice calls, as a form of communication, have been stagnant for so long!"

"Most people now rely on logistics networks. Many people even communicate via letters, but this is clearly a very inefficient and primitive way of transmitting information."

The mathematician even turned around and tried to pull Doudou, who was once again daydreaming about the sky, into the conversation:

"Doudou, think about it! How cool would it be if you could communicate with anyone on the other side of the world, anytime, anywhere? No need for international mail that takes ten days or half a month to send, and no costly, restrictive long-distance calls."

"It's not like those push-tape forums and information sites where you have to wait for days just to get the information together. Some forums even take a week to review registrations."

"What if many people could communicate and exchange information at the same time? Without being limited by space or location; anytime, anywhere. Can you imagine? This is what the world could have been like!" The mathematician was exhausted and panting, his glasses almost slipping down to his chin; he gripped the plastic tablecloth tightly with one hand, his anger impossible to conceal.

Richard's smile faded—turned into observation and scrutiny. He suddenly realized that the source of the mathematician's hostility that night was not simply due to insecurity.

He seemed to be meeting the mathematician for the first time; although indeed, he had only just met him tonight:

"Doctor, I didn't realize you were actually a cyber activist? It seems everyone has many sides. You don't look like a radical, huh?"

The mathematician pushed up his glasses and looked away from Richard's face. A look of near hatred blossomed in his eyes, as if tinged with heat:

"I'm not exactly a cyber-promoter—but I do believe that excellent science and excellent technology can change everyone's life; and they should change everyone's life and make everything better! In a few years, it will be a new millennium, and yet everything remains the same."

"So I'm just really supporting this group of people. I want to ask you, why is Asia-Europe Post suppressing them? Why is it helping to ban the development of the information network? Even from an outsider's perspective, the profits here are huge."

Richard suddenly raised his hands - but only in a gesture of surrender.

It seems that he has no intention of continuing to argue with mathematicians about [information network development]:
"I apologize, I apologize, Doctor. I meant no offense, and I have no problem with cyber-promoters or anything like that. It was just a casual remark; I hope you don't take it personally—"

"We don't have time to dwell on this right now. It won't change anything, okay? What the hell does this have to do with me? What the hell does it have to do with Doudou?"

"Let's focus on the problem at hand. Even if the information network you mentioned is truly developed, wouldn't it be used to arrest you first?"

"And the whole world can use some kind of instant messaging to communicate with you, the [Iron-Bar Killer]. And you don't mind that?"

"So this is why you've been so hostile? Because I'm an employee of the Asia-Europe Post?"

"But have you forgotten: I am just a [former] employee of Asia-Europe Post now."

"I know that Asia-Europe Post is very suppressive of this so-called [information network development]: but it's not the only company doing this; it's not even just private companies that are opposing this."

"As for why Asia-Europe Post is suppressing the information network, isn't it obvious? How big is the global logistics network market now, and what share does Asia-Europe Post hold within it? Is it necessary to allow a newcomer to compete with the logistics network?"

"Of course, I also know that Asia-Europe Post has a first-mover advantage in developing this information network, but who knows what the higher-ups are thinking? Even if you're trying to get Doudou's support, what can he do? Execute everyone who's banning network development?"

　It was Doudou’s birthday yesterday and I forgot to post a photo!

　　
　
(End of this chapter)