Read Online Einstein Must Die! (Fate of Nations Book 1) by Chris Kohout - Free Book Online
Authors: Chris Kohout
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it.”
Tesla searched her face, certain she was joking. “This machine has no crew?” The idea frightened and excited him. Such a machine without proper control would be a nightmare. But with the right guidance, it could be put to glorious use. He instantly imagined a world where war no longer ground men into the dust.
“I know that look,” she said. “You see the potential, don’t you?”
“Why yes, of course! Technology is the best tool we have for improving man’s lot. Though I haven’t invented weapons before. At least, not on purpose,” he added, remembering the debacle at the Academy.
“I know. And while you’d be free to pursue such things here, we really are interested in one invention in particular.”
“My mechanical brain? But you already have—”
“It doesn’t work. At least, not the way we need it to. Sure, it can handle fire control and navigation. If we give it a target, it can shoot it. Put it on a navigation course, and it will get back home just fine. But it can’t fight effectively. In a simulated battle, it just can’t process the variables quickly enough to react the way a person would.”
“I see,” he replied, stroking his cheek. “But my device is hardly superior. It can be trained to recognize items, yes, but—”
“I know. Here’s where that unbridled creativity comes in.”
Tesla’s brows furrowed, wondering where this discussion was about to go.
Savannah paused and took a breath. “We want you to expand your design. Radically. To the point that an actual human mind can be placed within the computer.”
Tesla cocked his head, waiting for her to laugh, and ask forgiveness at teasing him. But she didn’t laugh. If anything, her silent questioning look implored Tesla to respond positively.
“My design is patterned after the neural network of the human brain, yes. But my invention has two hundred and fifty-six connections. A real brain has billions. It’s just not possible.”
Savannah held up both hands. “I know, it sounds impossible. Maybe it is. But this project is dead in the water without a breakthrough. Hollerith is a genius, but he couldn’t do it. I’m thinking if anyone can, it’s you. Am I mistaken?”
Tesla laughed nervously. He had expected military interest in his wireless communications, or his work with oscillating vibrations, but this was madness.
Seeing the thoughts in his face, Savannah tried another tack.
“Just… think about it. Let’s have coffee in the morning. The Empress at nine. You’ve seen the resources we have here. Someday, someone will figure it out. I’d just as soon that person be you.”
Tesla bit the inside of his lip and stole another look up into Beowulf’s brain housing.
The dark metal cube had no advice for him.
DEBATE
A DEBATE WITH PIGEONS
Tesla enjoyed two things above all else. One was the thrill that raced through his heart when he saw some creation of his brain unfolding to success. The other was feeding, and spending time with, pigeons.
The whirlwind morning and the sights he’d witnessed, not to mention the impossible task asked of him, had set his mind spinning.
Savannah had returned him to the city, but he found the walls of his room confining and claustrophobic. He quickly ran outside and went straight to Central Park.
He found an empty bench and pulled an old loaf of bread from his jacket pocket. The birds immediately congregated around him, but their demands were singular and easily satisfied. He pinched off chunks of stale bread for them and tossed the bits around, ensuring everyone got some of the meal.
In one day he’d gone from toiling in a ditch to witnessing the pinnacle of human inventiveness. He realized he was mostly right earlier. God may not be cruel, but He did have a sense of humor.
An attractive young couple walked by, holding hands. The man whispered in her ear, and she giggled, clutching his hand to her chest.
The thought of working for the military gave him
Tesla searched her face, certain she was joking. “This machine has no crew?” The idea frightened and excited him. Such a machine without proper control would be a nightmare. But with the right guidance, it could be put to glorious use. He instantly imagined a world where war no longer ground men into the dust.
“I know that look,” she said. “You see the potential, don’t you?”
“Why yes, of course! Technology is the best tool we have for improving man’s lot. Though I haven’t invented weapons before. At least, not on purpose,” he added, remembering the debacle at the Academy.
“I know. And while you’d be free to pursue such things here, we really are interested in one invention in particular.”
“My mechanical brain? But you already have—”
“It doesn’t work. At least, not the way we need it to. Sure, it can handle fire control and navigation. If we give it a target, it can shoot it. Put it on a navigation course, and it will get back home just fine. But it can’t fight effectively. In a simulated battle, it just can’t process the variables quickly enough to react the way a person would.”
“I see,” he replied, stroking his cheek. “But my device is hardly superior. It can be trained to recognize items, yes, but—”
“I know. Here’s where that unbridled creativity comes in.”
Tesla’s brows furrowed, wondering where this discussion was about to go.
Savannah paused and took a breath. “We want you to expand your design. Radically. To the point that an actual human mind can be placed within the computer.”
Tesla cocked his head, waiting for her to laugh, and ask forgiveness at teasing him. But she didn’t laugh. If anything, her silent questioning look implored Tesla to respond positively.
“My design is patterned after the neural network of the human brain, yes. But my invention has two hundred and fifty-six connections. A real brain has billions. It’s just not possible.”
Savannah held up both hands. “I know, it sounds impossible. Maybe it is. But this project is dead in the water without a breakthrough. Hollerith is a genius, but he couldn’t do it. I’m thinking if anyone can, it’s you. Am I mistaken?”
Tesla laughed nervously. He had expected military interest in his wireless communications, or his work with oscillating vibrations, but this was madness.
Seeing the thoughts in his face, Savannah tried another tack.
“Just… think about it. Let’s have coffee in the morning. The Empress at nine. You’ve seen the resources we have here. Someday, someone will figure it out. I’d just as soon that person be you.”
Tesla bit the inside of his lip and stole another look up into Beowulf’s brain housing.
The dark metal cube had no advice for him.
DEBATE
A DEBATE WITH PIGEONS
Tesla enjoyed two things above all else. One was the thrill that raced through his heart when he saw some creation of his brain unfolding to success. The other was feeding, and spending time with, pigeons.
The whirlwind morning and the sights he’d witnessed, not to mention the impossible task asked of him, had set his mind spinning.
Savannah had returned him to the city, but he found the walls of his room confining and claustrophobic. He quickly ran outside and went straight to Central Park.
He found an empty bench and pulled an old loaf of bread from his jacket pocket. The birds immediately congregated around him, but their demands were singular and easily satisfied. He pinched off chunks of stale bread for them and tossed the bits around, ensuring everyone got some of the meal.
In one day he’d gone from toiling in a ditch to witnessing the pinnacle of human inventiveness. He realized he was mostly right earlier. God may not be cruel, but He did have a sense of humor.
An attractive young couple walked by, holding hands. The man whispered in her ear, and she giggled, clutching his hand to her chest.
The thought of working for the military gave him
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