Cataclysmic Era: I can unlock the tech tree

Unsurprisingly.

This issue of Science has caused quite a stir in the academic community in the United States and even the world.

Especially after people discovered that this paper, published in the world's top journal Science, was actually an undergraduate thesis.

This has sparked heated discussions among countless people!

This paper has even become a sensation outside of academic circles!

On Twitter, countless netizens expressed their shock at this.

"My God, how can the difference between people be so vast?"

"WTF?! My undergraduate degree is just one Science paper?! What am I going to do after that?!"

"Are all undergraduates in Xia Country this amazing?!"

"Wait a minute, why is your focus so strange? Shouldn't you be focusing on the content of the paper? Since being expelled from ITER, China's controlled nuclear fusion technology has surpassed that of the United States!"

"That's strange. I remember ITER said that China stole the experimental data. Does China really value ITER's experimental data?"

"@Ebert, Mr. President, come out and explain yourself? Is the United States about to be surpassed by China?"

"@Albert, tell me, where does all our taxpayer money go?!"

……

Unlike the netizens who enjoy watching the drama unfold online, the atmosphere inside the US Presidential Office was oppressive.

"Bang!"

With his blond hair, Albert slammed his hand on the desk in front of him, staring at the man in front of him with a gloomy expression.

"Anthony, I need an explanation!"

"Why did Xia Kingdom suddenly possess such advanced controlled nuclear fusion technology?!"

"And what exactly is ITER doing? So many top scientists, and they can't even beat a Chinese undergraduate?"

"Are you kidding me?!"

"Do you know what my fans on Twitter are saying about me?!"

Anthony's face was gloomy. He opened his mouth, but no words came out.

Professor Collins, with his full head of white hair, stepped forward and said in a hoarse voice, "Your Excellency, this matter... was my mistake."

"Xia's research speed on controlled nuclear fusion has exceeded my expectations."

Upon hearing Professor Collins speak, Albert's expression softened slightly: "Then... Professor, what do you think the United States should do next?"

Collins' eyes flickered when he heard the president's question.

After a moment's hesitation, Collins slowly spoke, "Your Excellency, the United States must act quickly!"

"We must not lag behind Xia in controlled nuclear fusion."

Albert nodded thoughtfully, then his eyes flickered slightly as he picked up a document from his desk and handed it to Professor Collins.

"Professor, Congress has approved your proposal and even allocated an additional 10% in funding."

Professor Collins' eyes lit up with delight, and he reached out to take the document.

But Albert's voice rang out again.

"However, there is one condition."

"Congress has demanded that the first controlled nuclear fusion experimental device be built within three years!"

Collins's expression changed drastically: "Mr. President, this is impossible!"

"Three years is too short!"

Collins shook his head like a rattle-drum!

Are you kidding me!

How many years does it take to build a large tokamak device?

You should know that ITER took more than ten years to build!

three years?

I reckon they haven't even laid the foundation yet!

"I don't care about that, that's what Congress says." Albert shrugged, looking indifferent. "If you can't do it, someone else will."

Professor Collins's face darkened.

That's absolutely right.

This is a lucrative job!

In the American academic community, countless people are eyeing this lucrative opportunity!

Thinking of this, a bitter smile appeared on Collins' face.

"In that case... I'll do my best."

Albert nodded in satisfaction, then repeated meaningfully, "Remember, you only have three years!"

Collins nodded bitterly.

……

That evening, Albert uploaded a video to his Twitter account.

In the video, Albert sits solemnly behind the president's desk and says in a serious tone, "First of all, on behalf of the United States, I congratulate China on the successful operation of controlled nuclear fusion in the laboratory."

"I've seen quite a few people asking me the same question on Twitter these past couple of days."

"Is the United States about to be surpassed by China? Or, how is the development of controlled nuclear fusion technology in the United States progressing?"

"Here, I'll answer everyone's questions all at once."

"The United States has been committed to research into controlled nuclear fusion technology!"

"ITER will restart controlled nuclear fusion experiments starting today, and the United States will build a large-scale controlled nuclear fusion experimental device within three years!"

"Believe me, in three years, you will be able to use electricity generated from nuclear fusion!"

……

At the same time that Albert posted the tweet, the official Weibo account of Xia Guo News posted a message.

Xia Kingdom News: Effective immediately, the Xia Kingdom Controlled Nuclear Fusion Demonstration Reactor Project has been officially approved.

Due to the time difference, it is 6:00 AM in Beijing at this moment.

Even so, within just a few minutes, countless netizens flocked to the comments section of Xia Guo News's Weibo account to watch the spectacle.

"Wow! I exclaimed, 'Wow!'"

"This is a demonstration reactor? Does that mean... controlled nuclear fusion technology is mature?"

"Holy crap? Why does it feel like the world has changed since I woke up?"

"Interesting. At the same time, the US also released a message. Albert uploaded a video about controlled nuclear fusion on Twitter. Those who are interested can take a look."

"Please, someone translate this for me!"

"Please repost +1!"

"+10086!"

"..."

It has to be said that netizens are incredibly efficient, especially when it comes to gossiping, where they can unleash unprecedented potential!

Within ten minutes, a high-definition video with subtitles was uploaded to Weibo.

Some people even simplified the video content, converted it into text, and compared it with the content released by Xia Guo's news.

When the two pieces of content were put together by someone with ulterior motives, public opinion completely erupted!

"Holy crap, holy crap, holy crap?! This feels like China is going head-to-head with the US!"

"You know what, it really does taste like that!"

"I'm reminded of the arms race that the United States used to wage."

"..."

As people discussed it, a new term instantly became a trending topic on Weibo!

Technology Competition

Under the instruction of the Xia Kingdom's high-ranking officials, the Xia Kingdom News Weibo account quietly updated its Weibo again.

"We will never forget the humiliation suffered by Chinese researchers during the ITER project!"

"Controlled nuclear fusion technology is the key to unlocking the door to the future interstellar era."

"Xia Kingdom will never relinquish its controlled nuclear fusion technology!"

In just a few words, the already heated atmosphere on Weibo was ignited!

Countless netizens were moved to tears!

How many years!

The Xia Kingdom finally stood up for itself!

"I have no regrets being born into the Xia Kingdom in this life; in the next life, I wish to be reborn in the land of China!"

A series of neat comments flashed by below Xia Guo News's Weibo post!