Authorial Magazine - Manila Edition

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“You mean, people still use such things after what happened?” “No one uses them, but all the most powerful nations have them for the sake of deterrence. Even though we are the most advanced technologically, a conventional war with the Sovath would be difficult for us, because they outnumber us three to one. That is why we must have atomic devices. In fact, we have more atomic devices than they do.” “Well, so long as it keeps the peace …” “That is the entire purpose.” Hopefully these people don’t want to use Earth as grounds for a proxy war … Or maybe they want Earth as a backup world, or a colony! Nathan continued to quietly mull over his concerns until they reached the restaurant. The diner took up half of the ground level floor in one of the enormous buildings, and it had large round windows which glowed with a blue light around the edges. When they stepped inside, the woman working as receptionist looked startled, but quickly regained her composure, then she looked at Gor- Kaal. Gor-Kaal nodded at her, and she began to speak rapidly in Krenth, barely restraining her excitement. “Right this way sir,” she said. “We have a table you can have at once.” “Sounds good,” Nathan replied. As they passed through the dining area, many of the customers cast glances at Nathan, and some of them quickly muttered to one another as they looked at him, but no one said anything to him. Some younger Martians raised small handheld devices similar to the one Kor-Neev used to take pictures as they passed. Gor-Kaal glared and took a step toward one of them but Nathan stopped him. “Let them take their pictures,” Nathan said. “They just want a story to tell their friends. There’s no harm in it.” “If you insist,” Gor-Kaal said. When Nathan and Gor-Kaal were seated, the other two men took up positions at different points nearby. The receptionist placed a menu in front of them, and informed them that a waiter would be with them momentarily. Then she left to return to the front, but not without pausing and turning around to steal another glance at Nathan. Nathan looked at the menu. Some of the food items had pictures, but most did not. There were of course descriptions, but even though he could sound out the words the names of plants, animals, and spices were mostly meaningless to him. Ultimately Gor-Kaal helped Nathan pick something to eat, and it turned out to be good. After they finished their meal, Gor- Kaal wanted to return, but Nathan insisted on seeing more of the city. Gor-Kaal reluctantly obliged. They visited a park, a mall, and a museum. Over the course of the day many of the people they passed paused to glance at Nathan, but ultimately kept walking without saying a word. Some just turned their heads for a second and continued without stopping, and some were entirely indifferent to him. But there were a few people who wanted to stop and speak with Nathan, mostly young people in their late teens and early 20s. The first few times it happened, Gor- Kaal attempted to send them away but Nathan overruled him. He was eager to meet other Martians besides the stuffy aristocratic rulers he had spoken with prior to leaving the hotel. Most of the young women who stopped him, and some of the men, wanted to take pictures with Nathan. “Does everyone have these tiny cameras?” Nathan asked Gor-Kaal at one time when they had just gotten through talking with some Martian college students. “The technology is about fifteen years old, and based on what I have seen, all the young adults under thirty have them, at least the women do,” Gor-Kaal said. “You don’t approve?” Nathan asked. “I think it’s foolish and narcissistic.” “How do the cameras work? I’ve never seen film that could fit into a case that small.” “They don’t use film, and those devices aren’t just cameras. They are computers, and they store the information in their memory. The pictures can be uploaded to other devices, or put on the network.” “Network? What’s that?” “There are literally billions of computers around our world. They are connected by wires and electronic signals, which form a network where information can be exchanged with any other computer.” “So anyone can see what you have on your personal computer?” AUTHORS PRESS authorial magazine | 60 “No, they can only see what you post in public for them to see. There are large computers that host a lot of information, and people can connect to those remotely and browse through it, like a library, but inside a computer.” “Interesting.”
“A lot of it is garbage, because anything at all can be posted.” “I see.” “So the pictures of me that they are taking …” “You’re probably going to be all over the social media.” “Social media? What is that?” “It is a ridiculous custom started by the Sovath and others of their race. Each person gets a ‘page’ on a social networking site, where they can post pictures of themselves and personal details. The idea is that they connect with friends to share information publicly, and each person subscribed to their page receive an update every time they post a picture or a statement.” “So… what? They post pictures of themselves and make statements, like in a diary, but for everyone to see?” “Yes.” “So it’s like having your own personal newspaper, which is entirely about you?” “Yes, precisely.” “That does sound narcissistic. But, surely most people don’t care about those kinds of things.” “Most Krenth find it foolish, as I do, but it is popular among some of the younger people, too many unfortunately.” “Strange …” “Strange and foolish, and certainly contrary to our values and culture.” “But still, you allow it.” “It is allowed. We are a free people, which includes the freedom to be a fool as well.” “Huh …” “Some will keep the pictures on their personal computers, and others will be satisfied by printing them off.” “Interesting, take a picture without film, and print it off on another device.” At the end of the day, they ate dinner and returned, but the next day Nathan wanted to go out again. They visited another part of the city and ate at different restaurants. Again they were stopped throughout the day by young people. AUTHORS PRESS “If you could just put an arm around me,” one of the Martian women said. “And also my friend …” Nathan put his arm around both women, while Gor-Kaal grew tense and the other two guards looked around with expressionless faces. authorial magazine | 61
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