Self-discovery

“Of course, where else could he go? Yes, this isn't an engineering solution, but an organizational one. And it's not simple; it lacks the logical simplicity we all want. But we have no choice. We'll gather talented researchers, builders, doctors, artists, sculptors, psychologists, musicians, writers, and just simple people — they know about life and man too. We'll start injecting our discovery into life with small but very necessary things: curing disease and deformity, correcting physical appearance and the psychological problems. And then, you'll see, we'll gradually develop information for a universal program for the computer — womb to instill the best that mankind has collected into the mind and body of man.”

The UPPM,” Victor said. “The Universal Program for Perfecting Man. I like it! Well, well….”

“We'll try,” Adam said stubbornly. “There is no hundred — percent guarantee; it's not all in our control. Maybe it won't work. But if we don't try, nothing will happen at all. And you know, I think that there isn't that much work left. It's important to shift in one or two generations the process of man's development in the right direction, and the work will go on without computers.”

“It will all go in it.” Krivoshein remembered the last entry in the diary. “The daring of talented ideas and a child's awe before the complex magnificence of the world, the roar of a stormy sea and the wise beauty of lab equipment, the great pain of love and the esthetics of sex, the fierceness of getting ahead and the rapture of interesting work, the blue sky and the aroma of sun — baked grass, the wisdom of old age and the confidence of maturity… and even the memory of bad times and mistakes, so that they won't be repeated! It will all go in: the knowledge of the world, understanding one another, peace and stubbornness, dreaminess and healthy skepticism, great thoughts and the ability to achieve them. In general the greater part has been done for a good life — and there is less left to do!”

“Let people be whatever way they want to be. Just let them want!”

The sun was yellow and hot. Cars rustled and murmured past. Pedestrians shuffled through the heat. A policeman directed traffic in the intersection.

They walked on, leaving imprints in the asphalt. Three engineers on their way to work.