LGHTNOVELBOOK Chapter 785 - 745: The Crossroads of Fate
Chapter 785: Chapter 745: The Crossroads of Fate
Mavis clapped her hands, and dozens of holographic pages appeared in front of Lincoln.
On the first page was a technical summary of the Consciousness Chip.
As Lincoln expected, this technology was not just about computers. Instead, it was a remarkable fusion of the fields of biology and electronic computing.
Both these branches had surpassed milestones on their respective paths, ultimately resulting in an accidental intersection near the next generation of technological singularity.
The Consciousness Chip was not more powerful than the pure carbon nanomaterial graphene chip, but it had one irreplaceable advantage—
The ability to carry human consciousness.
Of course, compared to the chips on the market today, it was still incredibly powerful—after all, it belonged to the next era of technology.
Silicon-based chips were currently causing headaches due to leakage and poor heat dissipation issues when reaching the 7nm manufacturing process.
Although the physical limit of silicon-based materials had not yet been reached, the ceiling was somewhat visible.
The exploration of new materials for semiconductors and chips had already begun.
Currently, the most promising materials in the industry were topological insulator materials and two-dimensional superconducting materials.
Graphene was the most favored among the two-dimensional superconducting materials.
Based on the information Lincoln gathered, graphene was indeed the chip material of the next era.
However, the Consciousness Chip was not made of pure graphene but instead, a combination of graphene and a unique artificial protein.
This artificial protein, similar to brain protein, could connect nerve cells’ ion channels with superconducting materials, allowing the electronic signals from nerve cells to transmit to the graphene chip.
To put it more bluntly: electronic components on the Consciousness Chip and living cells could communicate with one another!
The electronic signals emitted by nerve cells could be recorded by the chip, and the chip could also serve as a platform to download biological neural networks.
The only cost of this technology was that it could no longer be non-invasive like the current Mirage, and the brain’s nerves had to be physically connected to the chip.
Of course, no actual “knife” would be used, as the “incision” would be tiny.
There was no need to make a large hole in the back of the head like the science fiction movies Lincoln had watched before nor to insert a giant metal plug.
An acupuncture needle-sized connection was sufficient, an embodiment of minimally invasive.
However, when Lincoln saw this information, his first thought was not how strong this technology was, nor how difficult it would be to implement, or even that it provided Little Chun with more options, but rather—
This technology was too dangerous!
With the Consciousness Chip and virtual world combined, it could truly influence the course of a civilization!
As the chip can carry thoughts and consciousness, it means that humans can genuinely leave reality behind and live in the virtual world.
The physical body would no longer be necessary.
All resources in the material world would be redefined by a new set of standards.
Whether giving up the physical body and becoming entirely mechanical through “Ascension” or discarding both the physical body and the real world for “cyber ascent” and “civilization virtualization,” this technology marked the most fundamental and significant step in these processes.
With this technology, there were endless possibilities!
But…
“Should I really make this thing?”
The more Lincoln realized the power of this technology, the less he dared to implement it.
It was simply too dangerous!
He was even somewhat confused: according to Mavis, artificial intelligence was highly monitored in that world, and core technologies involving human thoughts, brains, weapons, energy, and more were heavily restricted to prevent AI from accessing them.
Why had such a core, sensitive, and crucial technology appeared so quickly?
Lincoln had expected that technology to be unlocked only after reaching one billion users.
How many users were there now?
Just over 400 million.
Of course, 400 million was already a terrifying number, surpassing the total population of almost all countries around the world.
However, compared to the significant value of the Consciousness Chip, Lincoln felt that this technology had come too easily.
Or was it because in Mavis’s original world, the population was not actually that high?
Lincoln sat on the small sofa, his thoughts tangled and his mind in a mess.
He had been trying hard to create the virtual world, and after no longer being troubled by material problems, he had devoted all his energy and focus to expanding and enriching the virtual world.
Not only was this his mission, but it was also his life, providing him with the greatest sense of accomplishment and happiness.
For this purpose, he could even give up his leisurely life and tire himself out like a dog.
Despite all this, he did not think giving up reality was the right approach.
Because giving up reality meant stagnation, and for any civilization, stagnation was equal to death.
It was not to say that with the birth of the Consciousness Chip, a civilization would surely shift from reality to virtual, but the mere “existence of such a possibility” was a dangerous matter.
This made Lincoln extremely cautious about this technology, even if it could help him achieve immortality!
——Yes, this technology can truly achieve immortality.
Collective immortality may be a sign of destruction,
But an individual’s immortality, as long as it remains a secret, appears to be irrelevant to civilization, right?
And it’s not too difficult.
As long as… discard this weak physical body.
Moreover, thanks to Lincoln’s previous efforts, abandoning his body wouldn’t make him lose the joy of his senses, because all his sensory data has already been stored in the virtual world.
After the physical body ages and dies, consciousness can still experience all sensations in the virtual world.
Even by signing agreements with more people, it’s possible to share even more sensations.
Thus, even if new experiences emerge in the future, he can experience them undiminished through additional sensory data.
This makes up for one of the biggest disadvantages of losing his body.
——If brutal enough, one could even consider cloning technology; it’s not impossible to regain a physical body by removing the consciousness of a clone and usurping their place.
And technology keeps advancing; as long as one lives on, more advanced technology could emerge that would allow their physical body to be “resurrected.”
Just [stay alive], and he can get this ticket to the future!
Realizing this, Lincoln suddenly becomes aware:
The cup of immortal alcohol, which has traversed human history and has been sought after by countless emperors, generals, and hermits alike, has unceremoniously made its way into his hands.
So, should he drink it?
Facing the temptation of immortality, it’s impossible not to have a twinge of desire.
But perhaps it’s because Lincoln is still too young, lacking nothing in terms of wealth, fame and status. Living in a carefree, free-spirited state, even the strong temptation of “immortality” can hardly sway him.
Nor is he willing to give up his youthful body.
——Perhaps when he is old and frail or even just beginning to show signs of aging and rapid decline in bodily function, he might change his mind.
But at least for now, he doesn’t want to.
“Master, is Mavis getting a new home?” Mavis clings to Lincoln’s arm, her face full of excitement and anticipation.
“About that… I’ll think about it some more.” Lincoln shakes his head.
Mavis is only thinking about how technological breakthroughs will give her a more powerful and omnipotent server, her “new home.”
She hasn’t considered the potential long-term risks this may pose to human society.
Lincoln can’t be so reckless. Sitting on the small sofa, his thoughts churn rapidly as he weighs the different approaches:
Option one:
Completely freeze the technology and pretend it never existed.
This is clearly the worst way to handle it, just thinking about it makes Lincoln somewhat repulsed.
But as a conservative move with the least risk, he doesn’t disregard this choice.
Option two:
Thoroughly study the technical information, and see if any powerful innovations can be found to revolutionize the current chip industry?
——This idea is tempting to Lincoln.
If he can dominate the global high-end chip manufacturing industry, then he can truly make his mark in Daxia.
America’s blockade of Cloud Dream would instantly crumble.
Lincoln wouldn’t need to say a word, and they’d come to apologize on their own.
——Probably.
Lincoln knows the bottom line of politicians is that they have no bottom line; however, he’s not aware of how the mind of a politician works.
Option three:
Completely develop the consciousness chip, but immediately seal it away after completion, never to be used.
Option four:
Develop the consciousness chip thoroughly, but only claim it as a new generation chip externally, without mentioning its ability to hold consciousness, and use it as an ordinary chip.
Comparing it to current chips on the market, its performance is outstanding enough.
However, once mass produced, there’s no telling how long such a secret can be kept.
——Once people discover the presence of artificial proteins in the chip, they’re bound to start speculating.
If one thinks about Cloud Dream’s virtual world, a story about a hidden villain plotting to imprison human consciousness and secretly ruling the world becomes fully formed!
So, there’s no doubt that this choice carries enormous risks.
…
…
Which path should he choose?
Lincoln is undecided.
He’s already aware: he stands at a crucial crossroads.
The choice he makes will not only determine his life but will also shape the future of civilization.