ecstasy

Suddenly, there was no one left who was willing to talk.

-

"Wait a moment, now that the topic has stopped - I want to ask something."

Perhaps to ease the gloomy atmosphere between the three of them, the mathematician suddenly raised his head and, in a rare move, initiated the conversation:

"Since you were talking about the Eurasian postal service and its development earlier, Richard, I have something I want to ask you."

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."

"Even many people can communicate and exchange information at the same time? They are not restricted by space or location at all; they can do it anytime and anywhere. Can you imagine? This is what the world should be like!"

The mathematician was tired and breathless, his glasses almost slipping down to his chin; he grabbed the plastic tablecloth with one hand and tightened it, and he couldn't hide his anger.

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!

Chapter 53 Video

This time it was Richard who spoke without stopping, leaving the mathematician no time to respond:

"If I'm being honest, your problems are bigger than mine. I feel like if I keep dwelling on them, I'll never truly solve them. If I could stand higher, maybe I could help you with your problem."

"I'm just a pawn trying to cross the river now. What's the point of picking on me besides letting you vent your emotions? Or do you think yelling at me will make the whole world support the development of the information network?"

"So -- why don't we make this a non-zero-sum game?"

"How about we find a way to clear your name first? I'd like to continue explaining these things about [madness] to Doudou. We both know that Doudou's emotions are the most important thing right now."

Doudou, who was originally confused, caught the key words and suddenly gained strength:

"Game? What game are you talking about?"

The mathematician was a bit glum; he didn't know if it was because of the information Richard had revealed, or if he simply couldn't win the argument.

"[Non-zero-sum game] is a concept in game theory. To put it simply, it means win-win."

"Chuck, whatever you say—I just feel like there's something fishy going on here. It's not as simple as it sounds."

As for Richard, who was still being questioned, he had already listened in one ear and out the other; he did not respond to the mathematician's plan anymore.

Doudou glanced around and laughed awkwardly:

"You guys know so much! Haha, I love learning, too."

It’s just that the content after the laughter is a bit dry, especially the part about [loving to learn]:

"But! I really don't understand what you're saying, okay? You! Old Li! You're definitely not fit to be a teacher. Doctor, stop being crazy! Come on, is there anything else that's easier to understand?"

"Let's not talk about the internet anymore, let's continue talking about superpowers."

“After asking those first three questions—I still feel like I don’t understand anything?”

-

After hearing Doudou's [instructions], Richard and the mathematician seemed to adjust; as if no one had ever mentioned the topic of [network development] a moment ago.

"Indeed. Just saying this all the time doesn't seem to be very effective."

"Now—" Richard raised his hand and glanced at the watch on the inside of his wrist; "It's not too late now. The shops should all be open, and many are open 24 hours a day. I have a better way than to tell you with my mouth."

He stood up, pushed the plastic stool away, and snapped his fingers at the food stall owner not far away:

"Boss! Give me a take-out box and a take-out bag."

Richard scratched his nose with the tip of his fist. The anxiety he had felt before the conversation had quietly disappeared from him—something more resolute and solemn took over:

"If you don't mind, we can take this meal away and eat somewhere else?"

Doudou, who always loved to be startled, was even more into the role at this moment, with his face full of anticipation and surprise:

"Oh! Could it be that, Old Li, you have some subtle but highly demonstrative special ability? Like—are you actually the kind of character used to introduce the world? You understand?"

"If you really have this trick, why didn't you use it earlier? My head is about to explode from what I heard earlier."

As we all know, there's a character in games, cartoons, movies, and TV shows who's used to help showcase a bizarre worldview. Based on Doudou's experience watching movies, Richard really fits the bill for this character.

But he felt that mathematicians were more like this: sneaky, timid, but they looked like they knew a lot.

The food stall owner brought out some rubber bands and a plastic lunch box. Richard picked up the plate and began filling the lunch box with leftovers.

"According to the test I took at headquarters last time, I shouldn't have ecstasy. Of course, I don't have it now. But it doesn't matter. I have a better way to explain this to you-"

"There are many things that are more suitable for teaching and popularizing science than my empty words."

Just like the barbecue stalls and food stalls that are scattered throughout the streets and alleys of Mong Cai City--

Whether it is a black video hall without a business license in a residential building or deep in the alley, or a chain video hall in the city center; at this time late at night, there is still no shortage of customers coming to the door.

Doudou, Richard and the mathematician carried the Buquan sour fish and the leftover sour food they had packed from the food stall and walked into the [Da Lu Tang] across the street.

The acrylic light box sign was covered in black stains in the cold white light, and the logo was a bald head embedded in the TV screen.

This is a chain of self-service video parlors. Following the karaoke craze in recent years, they've added the prefix "mass-selling." Doudou has never quite figured out what this term means.

"Why are you coming to the recording studio to watch tapes? Such a poor value for money. Lao Li, have you been working in a big company for too long? You don't know how to live."

Doudou had been there once before—it certainly didn't have as many videos as those video parlors in the alleys, but the environment was a little better; there were fewer mosquitoes and bugs, and they had a wider variety of drinks for sale. If you didn't have a membership, the video prices were even higher.

Richard knocked on the front desk and called over the part-time summer intern.

"Some of these ribbons are only available at these big chain stores. It's okay, I have a membership card and I've saved money—it's a company benefit, so I'd rather not use it."

He put his hand into his windbreaker pocket and spoke to the yawning, listless clerk:

"Open a small package and book the whole night; no need for drinks or anything."

-

Before entering the prepared box, they first carried their shopping baskets and followed Richard to choose films in the selection area.

Shelves filled with videotapes divided this place like a maze, and index manuals wrapped in plastic film were tied with string and hung on the wall; they had long been deformed and cracked by countless hands, and some pages had fallen off and fallen to the ground, but no one cared.

In addition to family-friendly genres such as comedy and action, horror and thriller films are also quite popular with customers. They come and go to pick up the videos, and the standard cardboard of the video hall is worn out - this is the convenience of videotapes as a dating place.

Doudou stretched, but continued to wander back and forth with interest: he often visited the video parlor, but not to watch movies; he came to buy things. Some video parlors would refurbish badly worn videotapes, but larger chains would simply sell or rent them secondhand, as a way to attract customers.

Doudou, living alone, was naturally good at saving money; he rarely went to the video store to buy new videos. Second-hand videos didn't affect his viewing experience, and Doudou especially loved spending a little money on them—he liked things with good value.

"Found it, here it is."

Richard stopped in front of the shelf and squatted down - he pulled out a few videotapes from the lowest corner: from adult chests and abdomen to eye level, the most popular films were usually placed there; those higher up were slightly less popular.

These most remote corners are the ones that no customers would choose to visit. The waiters never forget to clean them, so there is no dust accumulation; they have hardly been touched by human hands, so every dish looks as clean as new.

Richard pulled out a few videotapes from this "most excluded area" and weighed them in his arms:

"1993 Traffic Safety Warning," "Jiaozhi Autonomous Prefecture Driving Test Guide (Fifth Edition), and "Fire Safety Precautions in Public Areas." Those are probably the ones.

The mathematician forgot to close his mouth, and the index manual in his hand almost fell to the ground:

"What are you doing with these? Are you opening a private room late at night just to watch these? Are you asking us to help you hit some sales targets?"

Richard stacked the videotapes upside down, pointed them at the incandescent light on the ceiling, and looked at them back and forth:

"You'll understand after you see it, Doctor."

Doudou, who was still sorting through the videotapes, was the first to understand some of the reasons:

"Oh—no wonder they came to the big chain stores! Small video parlors don't have these tapes. No one watches them, and they don't buy them. I remember there was a requirement that these tapes must be kept in the store."

Chuck put the videotape into the shopping basket on the ground beside him:

"Yes, it's for public welfare and safety reasons; there are regulations, so these stores have them."

Doudou opened his eyes wide, looking thoughtful:

"So there must be some information stored in there—that you can access at any time? Because it's everywhere? What a spy game!"

The mathematician looked around nervously. No one seemed to be paying attention to their conversation. In fact, even the clerk who had just opened the box for them had fallen asleep on the counter.

"Is it really okay to say something like that so loudly?"

Richard waved his hand and checked the videotape in the basket again; he was too lazy to pay attention to the mathematician's suspicion:

"That's all."