Chapter 63: A Young Man Returned to His Loyal Research Institute
Chapter 63: A Young Man Returned to His Loyal Research Institute
Common Era 260.
Over twenty years had passed since the 236 Algae Spread Crisis.
Across the Huaxia Nation, the gloom of the apocalypse had almost faded with time.
Both production activities and the functioning of the whole society were back to normal.
The 236 Algae Spread Crisis seemed just like a brief interruption in the journey of human civilization.
Civilization’s course had taken a turn there, only to return to its original path.
In daily life, people rarely brought up those events from over two decades ago.
However, whenever news mentioning “doomsday” or potential threats to humanity surfaced,
people still paused to pay a little more attention.
Such alarming news, about a past that could be swept aside, would sometimes appear trending on social platforms.
Add to that fragmented remnants left behind by that Doomsday Crisis,
and it became clear some things were fundamentally changed.
At the very least, people’s understanding of apocalyptic crises and the long-term survival of human civilization had shifted.
It was unlikely to ever fully return to how it was before the crisis was faced.
Outside the Huaxia Nation,
some countries that had plunged into chaos under the Doomsday Crisis
had, across these two decades, slowly started to recover, restoring order.
But others remained locked in ongoing strife.
It was hard to even say if this chaos was directly due to the initial 236 Algae Doomsday Crisis.
Perhaps they no longer understood why it began, yet seemed powerless to end it.
Furthermore,
again, during these same years,
a harsh struggle had been unfolding across the world over two different approaches: Collective Social Rearing versus the traditional family approach.
Finally, a decisive winner seemed to emerge.
Just as many advocates of Collective Social Rearing had predicted long ago,
supporters of the traditional family model steadily dwindled.
Essentially, societies based on traditional family structures were built on inherent class distinctions.
Those at different levels played a zero-sum game; some gained advantages, others suffered losses.
And inevitably, those gaining were fewer, while the majority absorbed the disadvantages.
This meant, even among those born and raised within the traditional family system, many were drawn to the promise of Collective Social Rearing. They increasingly drifted towards that alternative social model.
However, people brought up under Collective Social Raring rarely migrated towards the traditional family system.
A worry had lingered: would children reared collectively, after accumulating personal resources and wealth, choose the traditional path?
But this worry proved largely unfounded.
After all, why switch, even if you benefited within the Collective Social Rearing hierarchy? The traditional family offered no inherent advantage.
The Human Reproduction Device had played the most crucial, foundational role in this outcome.
It was the starting point for Collective Social Rearing, and the critical factor ensuring its long-term survival.
With this device enabling it, raising children the traditional way within a Collective Social Rearing society became a net loss.
As years passed, the scales tilted further.
By this point,
Collective Social Rearing didn’t just prevail within the Huaxia Nation;
it had achieved overwhelming dominance worldwide.
It was also during this year that
a young man returned to the Negentropy Research Institute.
…
Negentropy Research Institute,
Information Denoising and Intelligence Research Institute.
The Director of this Institute and the Head of the overall Negentropy Research Institute
sat talking with a newly arrived young researcher, assigned to the Negentropy Institute’s Information Denoising team.
Normally, a young researcher joining the Negentropy Institute wouldn’t warrant a personal audience with the Head.
Even to welcome newcomers, it would typically involve addressing several of them together.
Not like this – a private, face-to-face meeting.
The reason was simple: this new researcher was exceptional.
Considering the average lifespan was now around 180 years and how education had evolved accordingly,
students needed to absorb vastly more knowledge within their fields during secondary school and university.
Therefore, the vast majority completed their studies only after turning thirty.
The age at which someone earned their doctorate was usually pushing forty.
Anyone achieving this qualification was considered exceptionally capable.
Securing one’s doctorate by the age of thirty was indisputable proof of genius.
And yet,
here sat this young man before the Head of the Negentropy Institute and the Director of the Information Denoising Institute, merely 24 years old.
From the moment he entered university, he had shot through the required stages like a comet, obtaining the highest academic qualification achievable in the Huaxia Nation at the time—incredibly fast.
His doctoral thesis, featuring groundbreaking and revolutionary theories, had caused quite a stir in academic circles.
Even if he hadn’t chosen to come here,
this young man had ample space to shine, contribute, and carve out a brilliant future.
But after learning about the Negentropy Institute from his thesis supervisor, he hadn’t hesitated long.
He accepted their invitation and joined.
For someone of such rare talent, the Negentropy Institute naturally showed significant respect.
“Researcher Qin,” the Head spoke warmly, “welcome to the Negentropy Research Institute.”
Once seated, observing the young man across from him,
the Head had a momentary flash of memory.
He was Tao Zhenhui, now 139 years old. A student of Qi Zhuang.
And Qi Zhuang had himself been a student of Professor Qin Yu.
That made Tao Zhenhui Professor Qin Yu’s academic grand-student.
Tao Zhenhui had once been fortunate enough to meet Professor Qin Yu.
He was 31 then, newly recruited to Research Institute 011, part of the Negentropy Institute.
It was also Professor Qin Yu’s final year before retirement.
Tao Zhenhui hadn’t directly studied or worked under the esteemed professor,
but Qin Yu’s influence permeated Institute 011 deeply. Traces of it lingered even now, throughout Institute 011 and the broader Negentropy Institute.
Back then, like many others, Tao Zhenhui had grown up surrounded by the legends of Professor Qin Yu.
In particular, his later teacher, who had been a student of Professor Qin Yu, made him feel the deep admiration his teacher held for the professor.
As for himself, after formally stepping into biological research and working in the field for some time,
he also deeply appreciated the greatness of Professor Qin Yu.
At this moment,
or rather, earlier when seeing the exact same name of the researcher joining the Negentropy Research Institute,
he froze.
So alike in brilliance, similarly achieving remarkable feats at a young age.
Staring at Researcher Qin Yu,
Tao Zhenhui held his gaze a moment longer,
examining this equally young yet entirely different face.
Tao Zhenhui ultimately shook his head silently.
In the end, it was not the same person.
Moreover, this Researcher Qin Yu did not work in the field of biology or life sciences.
He was a scholar engaged in artificial intelligence and smart systems research.
Though young and already having shining achievements,
compared to Professor Qin Yu’s status within the Field of Life Sciences and in the annals of scientific history,
this Researcher Qin Yu was still far behind, incomparable.
“Researcher Qin, speaking of which, you do have an interesting connection with our Negentropy Research Institute. The Institute was founded by Professor Qin Yu.”
Regathering his thoughts, Tao Zhenhui said with a chuckle.
Qin Yu listened, squinting slightly as he smiled.
“That is quite a connection. I also hold Professor Qin Yu in high esteem.”
Using a well-worn explanation, Qin Yu clarified the situation with his name.
Tao Zhenhui and the head of the Information Denoising Institute looked suddenly understanding.
Changing one’s name out of admiration for Professor Qin Yu sounded odd,
but it was also a truly unassailable reason, impossible to fault.
After exchanging a few more pleasantries,
the three returned to business matters,
discussing future arrangements for Qin Yu and his choice of research projects.
The primary speaker now shifted from Tao Zhenhui to the head of the Information Denoising Institute.
“Researcher Qin, currently, our Information Denoising Automation and Smart Systems Institute has around two thousand researchers directly involved in research work.”
“There are many teams, large and small, working on projects in different directions. But overall, since its founding, the Information Denoising Institute has had one overarching goal: artificial intelligence research.”
“To be more specific, it focuses on AI research for information screening, denoising, and analysis. The various projects undertaken by different teams within the Institute, regardless of their specific focus, all fall under this major objective. They can be seen as smaller sub-projects working collectively towards achieving this larger goal.”
“I believe you were already aware of this before joining us, Researcher Qin.”
Qin Yu nodded.
He was likely the most familiar among the three regarding the origin, mission, and responsibilities of the Information Denoising Institute.
Still, Qin Yu needed to hear about the institute’s current status during the years he had been away from the Negentropy Research Institute.
“Researcher Qin, your field is artificial intelligence. I’ve read your previously published paper on smart algorithms.”
“Undoubtedly, your research in this field shows immense creativity and talent.”
“When we chose to invite you to the Information Denoising Institute, we worried we might waste your talent. However, our institute truly needs gifted, capable researchers like you.”
“We also hope to provide you the space to continue utilizing your talents.”
“Therefore, after joining the Information Denoising Institute, Researcher Qin, you may lead a separate research team. You can independently apply for research projects and advance studies in different areas of artificial intelligence that you choose.”
“We will offer support in this regard.”
“May I ask if this arrangement meets your satisfaction, Researcher Qin?”
Thinking it over, the head of the Information Denoising Institute addressed Qin Yu.
In essence, regarding research, the institute granted this genius researcher considerable freedom.
Naturally, the Information Denoising Institute had weighed this decision.
The value of Qin Yu’s prior publications and the abilities he displayed meant that,
had he not joined the Negentropy Research Institute, he would have stayed at his university directly becoming an associate professor,
still capable of independently applying for projects and leading a team.
“Thank you for the institute’s trust.”
“No need to thank me. Genius always deserves a bit of privilege.”
The head of the Information Denoising Institute replied with a smile.
“Well, Researcher Qin, you can consider your specific research direction during this period. You can also maintain communication with other research teams in the institute.”
“Though their specific projects might differ, tackling different sub-fields, as mentioned earlier, we are all working towards the same overarching goal.”
“Achieving the institute’s major objective likely requires solving numerous problems within its many sub-domains.”
“Later, the institute will provide you with a list. You can interview and select personnel to join your research team.”
With that, this meeting meant to welcome the newly joined genius researcher, Qin Yu, to the Negentropy Research Institute, concluded.
Qin Yu
officially joined the Information Denoising Institute, returning to the Negentropy Research Institute.
…
After completing everything he wished to do under his previous lifetime’s identity,
Qin Yu ended that life and then underwent the process of growing up again within the Social Upbringing Bureau,
crafting for himself a new, absolutely flawless identity without any traceable flaws.
However, unlike the obscurity of his past life,
starting from university in this lifetime, Qin Yu hadn’t concealed his talents much.
Therefore, just like the original life of the genius biologist,
an unparalleled genius abruptly appeared on the scene.
Only this time, it was in the field of artificial intelligence.
Then, taking a roundabout path, he returned to the Negentropy Research Institute.
And the chosen field of artificial intelligence was what he intended to pursue in this life.
The goal for this lifetime had actually been determined very early on.
Following the development of the 2611 Longevity Injection, Yu-type Bacteria, and the Human Reproduction Device,
Qin Yu felt the need to strive towards directly enhancing human productivity.
It was merely that his identity in that previous lifetime wasn’t suitable, hence the decision to undertake it in another life.
Strictly speaking, those mere few decades in the last life were just an interlude.
Of course, the reason he didn’t keep experiencing different identities and lives,
and “returned to the main path” so early, rejoining the Negentropy Research Institute,
was also largely due to the stimulus that the 236 Algae Spread Crisis provided for him, a sufferer of “Apocalypse Anxiety”.
One could only say it was fortunate that the 236 Algae Spread Crisis was something he happened to be able to resolve timely.
Had it been a different crisis, he might only have been able to ensure the survival of Human Civilization.
As for the plan to enhance human productivity in this life,
for Qin Yu, the most tangible approaches were two:
First, mechanization and intelligence.
Second, energy.
Beginning with intelligence this lifetime, he expected to traverse even more disciplines than during the existence of the genius biologist.
Ultimately, Human Civilization needed to have its productivity significantly boosted.
This way, among the threats facing Human Civilization, internal dangers could naturally be mitigated, and it could possess greater resilience against external crises.
For Qin Yu, the Absolute Immortal,
his goal had never really changed:
to make Human Civilization last as long as possible.
To achieve this, he needed to strengthen Human Civilization while reducing the dangers it might encounter.
Like that old saying:
A powerful civilization tucked safely away in a corner is the safest.
Putting it more bluntly, the ideal state for Qin Yu was:
Human Civilization achieving peak-level strength while remaining in the ‘newbie village’.
…
Year 260 of the Common Era,
Qin Yu returned to the Negentropy Research Institute.
In the same year,
Qin Yu reactivated one of his three fulfilled wishes:
adjustable intelligence augmentation.
Although the wisdom gained from this ability suffered from diminishing returns (marginal effects),
meaning further boosts in intellectual level didn’t necessarily yield answers to the same problems significantly faster.
It might also be that the problems he pondered currently didn’t yet necessitate the levels of wisdom gained subsequently.
Like figuring out the answer to 1+2 – the time taken by an ordinary person and a genius wouldn’t differ much.
Regardless, continuing the growth would ultimately provide more assistance on Qin Yu’s path to achieving his objectives.
Relying on his ‘Super Brain’,
Qin Yu would, in the coming time,
drive Human Civilization’s productivity forward in a powerful surge.