Technology invades the modern world

Chapter 193 Human Language and Mythology (4k)

The audience surged in like a tide.

Even those viewers who didn't consider themselves important didn't leave. Instead, they stood on the outer circle with Lin Ran at the center, wanting to hear what other insights the professor had to offer.

Only one diplomat specially arranged by Downing Street was sent to entertain Mikoyan, Korolev, and others.

This made Lin Ran think that no matter how much the underground in London belonged to the Soviets, on the surface, it was still a stronghold of the free camp.

"Professor, your thoughts coincide with ours."

Peace is demonstrated, not just spoken. The Soviet Union claimed to pursue peace, but it constantly put pressure on the whole of Europe on nuclear weapons.

Professor, I look forward to the opportunity to teach in London and serve in the House of Lords in the future. Compared to Washington, London is far superior in terms of food.

Lin Ran smiled and shook hands with the Queen, but he was holding back his feelings because she mentioned English cuisine.

The idea that English cuisine is as prevalent as the moral standards of England is a myth.

However, it was the 1960s, and the American fast food restaurant Wimpy entered England in 1954.

At this time, the public was not yet aware of the blandness of English cuisine, and the impression of American food on the English was that it was fast food.

Therefore, Elizabeth's statement was consistent with the actual situation at the time.

There's an interesting story about Wimpy Bar: in the late 60s, Wimpy refused to serve women alone after midnight, a practice that was later discontinued due to protests from women's rights activists.

“Yes, Your Majesty, I will definitely consider it seriously. When Washington no longer needs me, I will definitely consider taking up a post in England.” Lin Ran nodded earnestly.

Queen Elizabeth continued, "If you wish, the Governor of Hong Kong would also be a good option."

Lin Ran's consistent behavior fully demonstrated his identification with his Chinese identity and his affection for the Chinese community. Therefore, after Queen Elizabeth finished speaking, before Lin Ran could even reply, Humphrey, who was standing nearby, had already sensed Lin Ran's interest and quickly said:

“Your Majesty, the professor is a gem of America. No matter which president the White House appoints, they will certainly give him an important position.”

Lin Ran said, "Your Majesty, thank you for your high regard."

British Prime Minister Harold, who was standing next to him, chimed in: "I also wish I had a colleague like the professor."

I discussed this issue with Home Secretary Henry Brooke over afternoon tea.

While both the Governor of Hong Kong and members of parliament require Commonwealth citizenship, theoretically, it's entirely possible to implement this after the professor's retirement from the White House.

Humphrey, standing next to Jenny in the interview, would have rolled his eyes at the Englishmen if it weren't for diplomatic etiquette.

Then the English newspapers on Fleet Street will say that the country bumpkin from America doesn't know manners.

"Harold, Professor and America are inseparable; we are one."

I think you should go to India to find talents like the professor, just like you found Ramanujan in the past.

"The British Empire should look for its own professors in the jewels of its own crown, instead of coveting ours," Humphrey laughed.

"You're disgusting, aren't you? You're disgusting me, so I'll disgust you back," Humphrey thought to himself.

The claim that finding talent from India is disgusting is not because Indian talent at that time was as "globally renowned" as it would later be, but because India had been completely outside of English jurisdiction since 1950.

India's independence, and its continued membership in the Commonwealth as a republic through the 1949 London Declaration, marked the Commonwealth's transformation from an "England-dominated" organization to an equal international organization.

Simply put, the British Empire went from an empire on which the sun never sets to a small island nation, and the last pot of soil on its grave was dug up by India for them.

Saying India is the jewel in your crown in front of the Queen and the Prime Minister is like pointing at a monk and laughing at a bald monk.

After Humphrey finished speaking, everyone present except the English laughed heartily without making a sound, their smiles as bright as if they had struck it rich.

The French diplomat asked:

"Professor, your conversation with Korolev was inspiring. Paris warmly welcomes you. If space exploration is a manifestation of human freedom, will this freedom be constrained by politics under the shadow of the Cold War?"

For example, some countries wanting to develop their own space technology might be considered unacceptable because it's related to missiles, just as nuclear weapons research is prohibited.

Lin Ran said, "Good question. Humans are always so contradictory."

Freedom is the essence of human existence, and the free movement emphasizes freedom, but political constraints are everywhere.

Space exploration symbolizes infinite possibilities, but it cannot be completely free from the entanglements of geopolitics.

However, this is precisely why we uphold our belief in freedom and transcend our current differences.

But how to achieve true freedom? I think that requires the joint efforts of all the politicians present here.

The other person nodded and then asked, "Professor, your optimism is encouraging. What do you think of the true intentions of Soviet Russia? Were they genuinely seeking peace, or did they have ulterior motives?"

Lin Ran thought to himself, "Shouldn't this be asked of politicians? I'm not an omnipotent machine."

He replied cautiously, "The Soviet Union's motives may be complex, but the fact that we cooperated cannot be ignored."

Korolev's remarks tonight revealed a yearning for human solidarity. As long as dialogue continues, the flame of peace will not be extinguished, and hope will remain.

Italian Prime Minister Aldo asked, "Professor, you mentioned postmodernism's questioning of technology. Do you think space exploration will exacerbate inequality on Earth?"

Both the diplomats and the administrative staff communicated with Lin Ran in English.

After thinking for a moment, Randolph said, "Of course, space exploration is a game for a few countries. Most countries do not have the material foundation and talent reserves for it."

But I believe that technology is universally beneficial, and technological progress will ultimately benefit all of humanity.

Just like in the age of the steam engine, England tried every means to keep the technology secret, but eventually the whole world entered the age of the steam engine.

The same is true in the electrical age.

I believe that in the new era ushered in by space exploration or other technologies, technology will ultimately become widespread globally.

Just like my country's nuclear test last year, neither America nor the Soviet Union wanted to see that.

Everyone tried their best to stop China's nuclear test, but China ultimately succeeded.

Once a technology emerges, it may be mastered by a small group and prevented from spreading further; this cannot be achieved through administrative orders or the subjective will of a few individuals.

The Indian diplomats present listened thoughtfully, finding the professor's words to be very reasonable.

Yes, if China can do it, so can we. We must also research nuclear weapons! Otherwise, we'll only be threatened by our neighbors.

When India actually has atomic bombs, it will turn its guns around and use them to threaten others.

The Indian diplomats not only agreed with the professor's point, but also with what Humphrey had said earlier. Given India's large population, and how come we can't find someone like the professor in the future, given our past success with Ramanujan?

Al nodded and said, "Your answer is very insightful. I hope to see more achievements that benefit all of humanity in the future."

Lord James Pembroke, holding a cigar, said:
"Professor, your performance tonight was comparable to Churchill's! But wasn't your criticism of the Soviet Union a bit too sharp? After all, Korolev showed a desire for peace."

Lin Ran's eyes were firm, and his tone was neither humble nor arrogant: "My criticism is merely a statement of facts. Cooperation requires honesty, and avoiding problems will not help progress. I believe the Soviets can fully understand."

Pembroke patted Lin Ran on the shoulder: "Professor, you have guts. I hope your candor will lead to more dialogue."

Randolph glanced around and noticed that the Soviet team had already left.

He thought to himself: The Soviets were being neglected, yet they maintained their dignity and restraint. Perhaps true unity begins with understanding.

One question that none of you here have asked is whether the Soviet Union and America will still attempt a moon landing? Will it be a joint moon landing or a solo moon landing?

Because it has been made very clear in speeches from both the White House and the Kremlin.

Both sides will continue to invest in the aerospace field and will each carry out their own lunar landing plans.

It's just that it wasn't that urgent for the Soviets, since even if America had successfully landed on the moon, it wouldn't have changed the fact that the first people to go to the moon were Soviets.

They need to focus more resources on the semiconductor sector and on resolving internal economic conflicts.

America, on the other hand, urgently needed to send an American to the moon to further solidify its argument of technological superiority.

"Randolph, your performance was amazing," Siegel said.

On the first day of 1965, Lin Ran was to attend a banquet at Buckingham Palace in the evening, and at noon he would meet with the Göttingen delegation.

There were six people in total, led by Siegel and Doiling, all of whom were professors in the mathematics department.

Siegel was all smiles and very proud. Their entire trip was handled by 10 Downing Street, and his colleagues in Göttingen envied him for having a student like Lin Ran.

Lin Ran nodded and said, "Professor, it's all thanks to your guidance when I was in Göttingen."

"If you hadn't laid such a solid foundation for me, I wouldn't have had such a strong foundation to complete such an amazing task."

Doiling had previously questioned whether Randolph had actually studied in Göttingen.

There are similar rumors in Göttingen that Lin Ran never actually stayed in Göttingen and that he simply found a background in the city.

Won't he ask Siegel or question him? If Lin Ran really isn't, what good would that do for Göttingen?

Doylein's suspicion stemmed purely from curiosity, from a curiosity about the truth behind it all.

But after seeing it with his own eyes this time, Doilyn no longer had such doubts.

Because Lin Ran's German is very standard, it's standard German with a slight northern German accent, the kind of German you can't learn without staying in Göttingen.

Göttingen is located in Lower Saxony, Germany, in the northern German dialect region. However, as a famous university town, it has always attracted students and scholars from all over Germany and the world.

This diverse linguistic environment has led to a degree of standardization in the local German accent, reducing obvious dialectal features and making it more inclined to use standard German.

Before World War II, Doiling also knew several students from China. Although these students learned standard German, they had obvious traces of Chinese accents.

Rumors can be deceiving, and Siegel's words may be false, but accents are not.

Unfortunately, Doilin was unaware that a monster like Lin Ran existed, and that even an accent could deceive people.

Doilyn asked, "Professor, the Göttingen authorities have extended a sincere invitation for you to return to Göttingen to give a lecture. They have been waiting for you for far too long."

Lin Ran nodded and said, "Of course, it's my honor."

I was planning to give a lecture in Göttingen when I came to London, but it was cancelled because of Korolev's sudden appearance.

When Berlin learned that Lin Ran was coming to London, they extended a warm invitation because of the vastly different status and reputation of Lin Ran.

West Berlin first communicated directly with Washington to repeatedly assure them that there would be no unexpected events and that the highest level of security would be provided throughout the process.

After assessment, the White House concluded that since they had just finished collaborating, the Kremlin would not risk international condemnation by taking action against a scientist like Lin Ran, so they agreed.

Then, West Berlin's Federal President Erhard personally called Lin Ran to invite him to Germany.

Finally, Doiling extended the invitation in person as the head of the mathematics department at his alma mater.

So Lin Ran had already agreed when Erhard invited him.

Siegel glanced at Doiling, the unspoken message being: See, I have face, don't I? Yesterday, French diplomats and the Italian prime minister invited me, but Lin Ran came to West Germany, to Göttingen.

Isn't it all because of my pride?

Doilyn smiled and said, "Professor, what is the topic of your lecture in Göttingen this time? What is the specific date? We can make arrangements in advance."

Because it's currently a holiday, we need to communicate with professors and doctoral students in related research fields in advance to help them prepare.

Lin Ran said, "Erhard and I have agreed to come to Germany for six days, from January 5th to January 10th."

I plan to spend all six days in Göttingen.

Originally, Lin Ran planned to go to West Berlin first and then to Göttingen, but he has now changed his mind and plans to spend all six days in Göttingen.

"I feel that my alma mater nurtured me, but I haven't been able to do anything for it."

At the New York Mathematicians' Conference last month, I said that I would spend a year proving the twin prime conjecture.

There will definitely be a lot going on this year, and I may not have enough time to do this consistently.

As the old Chinese saying goes, "There's no better time than today."

I want to use these six days to complete the proof of the twin prime conjecture on-site at the University of Göttingen.

Hilbert of the University of Göttingen posed the question of the century in 1900, which included the twin prime conjecture.

As someone who was trained in Göttingen, my return to Göttingen to address the problems of my predecessors is also a form of passing on the Göttingen school of thought.

All six days were dedicated to Göttingen, where the twin prime conjecture was proven on-site.

Göttingen happens to be a center for number theory research, and I would like to add another honor to the number theory research in Göttingen.

The six mathematics professors from the University of Göttingen, including Siegel and Deuling, exchanged glances, feeling as if they were listening to a myth rather than a human conversation.

　That's all for today. I have to catch the train today, so it's not unreasonable for me to take a day off!
　　
　
(End of this chapter)