Chapter 192 Hines's Plan_1
Next on the stage was the gentle and refined Mr. Hines, who, in contrast to the stubbornness of Rey Diaz, was courteous and graciously acknowledged the assembly.
Mr. Hines was both a scientist and a politician—deeply contemplative, calm, rational, and decisively strong-willed. In Lin Sen's mind, he was the most capable Wallfacer.
Mr. Hines, "Ladies and gentlemen, in fact, I would rather have been simply a dedicated researcher.
"When I was chosen as a Wallfacer, I went through a long period of pain and confusion. I simply couldn't come up with a definitive Wallfacer strategy plan that would lead to victory. Perhaps such a plan didn't exist at all.
"Eventually, I realized that even if I couldn't achieve it, perhaps the people of the future could. By choosing a direction, even if ultimately unsuccessful, the endeavor itself could still be beneficial.
"My idea was to directly connect the brain with the computer, using the latter's computing power as an amplifier of human intelligence; even to enable direct interconnection between human brains, fusing multiple minds into one.
"Taking brain science and thought research as a global project, accelerating the evolution of the human brain through technology, and ultimately enabling a significant breakthrough in human science to break free from the restraints of the Sophons.
"For this purpose, we invented the brain analysis camera, which also led to the creation of Thoughtcontrol. It was almost exploited by the ETO.
"Although Thoughtcontrol is a challenge to the free world, if used properly, it can also provide us with some assistance.
"This is my thought as well—many things, as long as you continue to pursue them, will generate beneficial outcomes along the way, even if not ultimately successful.
"In fact, Thoughtcontrol was just an interlude; my fundamental goal was still to achieve direct interconnection between human brains, fusing multiple minds into one.
"We studied for a long time and, with Marcus's help, were successful in developing Mind Tactility. Sadly, I haven't found a way to use computing power as an amplifier of human intelligence.
"The research hit a dead end, unable to continue, and our entire team was shrouded in a heavy atmosphere.
"It wasn't until a fortuitous chance that I came to realize if we can't change our own intelligence, why not try to probe the Trisolarans' thinking.
"The direct interconnection of human brains, fusing multiple minds into one—isn't that a social form of Trisolaris?
"We are preparing to study the thought patterns of Trisolarans through this method and to construct a mental model of the Trisolarans.
"Arriving in this era, I feel proud of humanity's strength, and I am honored that my plan still serves a purpose in this age.
"Although I have disappointed everyone with the Wallfacer Project, my subsequent research into the Trisolaran thought model has also been very useful to this age.
"Knowing the enemy and knowing oneself, one can fight without danger of defeat. I also hope to use this research to better help the Human Fleet achieve victory on the battlefield."
In the original timeline, the direct interconnection of human brains and the fusion of multiple minds were indeed the direction of Mr. Hines's research, only he did not succeed at that time.
His fundamental target was Thoughtcontrol, and brain interconnection was just a maze he designed for this purpose.
It was only with the basis of Lin Sen's early work on brain-computer interfaces and Mind Tactility in this timeline that success was achieved.
Mr. Hines's plan was undoubtedly very important for humanity. Both Thoughtcontrol and Mind Tactility played a crucial role in humanity's struggle against Trisolaris.
However, at this moment in the conference, many people had noticed a problem. Rey Diaz's speech itself was essentially highlighting one issue: there was no real Wallfacer plan.
The Wallfacers had indeed contributed to the development of human society, but these were normal plans that promoted human advancement, showing no special strategic cunning typical of Wallfacers.
If it were just Rey Diaz who had spoken like this, it might have been dismissed since deception is part of a Wallfacer's duty. But with two Wallfacers speaking in such a manner, it forced them to reflect deeply.
Could it be there really was no Wallfacer strategic plan and all that was done was merely to accelerate the development of human society, which was the true operation of the Wallfacer Project?
The Joint Chairperson, "Thank you, Mr. Hines, your research is very useful to us. It will fill the most critical gap in our Space Force's military theory.
"Do you have anything else to add about your Wallfacer Plan?"
Mr. Hines, "Our plan is actually just as I described, and it is already complete.
"However, Tyler's plan has not been completed, and I request to continue his research on spherical lightning and to restart the macro-atomic fusion project."
Science Advisory Board, "Over the years, we have collected some atomic nuclei in their natural state of low-dimensional unfolding, which are macro-atomic nuclei.
"However, our research has progressed slowly, and even now, research in this field has not achieved significant breakthroughs compared to 200 years ago.
"If we consider our macro-atomic weapons to be analogous to primitive man making bows and arrows, then the Trisolarans' low-dimensional unfolding of microscopic particles is equivalent to possessing missiles.
"We believe this is not the correct path, and there won't be any major breakthroughs within the time frame of the imminent decisive battle with Trisolaris.
"Mr. Hines, are you sure you want to continue?"
Mr. Hines, "Yes, I am sure I want to continue. I believe that as long as we persist, there will always be results.
"Tyler once said, 'No matter what, macro-atomic fusion is the most powerful weapon humanity can utilize at present, and it is only right that we research it.'"
Joint Chairperson, "After voting by representatives from all parties, we agree to Mr. Hines's application and will establish an Advisory Staff for Mr. Hines.
"We will also provide you with experts in macro-atomic fusion and the results of related research."
Mr. Hines, "Thank you, Mr. Chairman."
After several interactive questions, Hines stepped down from the podium.
Now everyone shared the same doubt: Was there really no Wallfacer Plan, or was this also a deception, much like Logic's "deception" in the past?
What exactly is this oddity known as the Wallfacer Plan? In people's estimation, the Wallfacer Plan should involve Wallfacers proposing many incomprehensible plans, the true nature and purpose of which no one understands.
It was supposed to catch the Trisolarans off guard at the last moment of the battle. Yet now, two Wallfacers in a row have said there is no Wallfacer Plan. Most crucially, all the plans put forward by Wallfacers have been laid out clearly and logically, linking together seamlessly, without any trace of being "incomprehensible."
It made it impossible not to believe!
The Trisolarans, who had the same doubts, seemed to genuinely believe that all the Wallfacers' plans were out in the open, and wondered if there truly were any such strategic Wallfacer Plans.
With the Trisolarans' mode of thinking, and combining it with what the Wallfacers had done, no problems could be found.
If Rey Diaz's case was just a coincidence, then what about Hines? His plan was even more logical than that of Rey Diaz.
At this point, most Trisolarans had already begun to believe there was no Wallfacer Plan.
As to why the Wallfacers chose to reveal the truth at this time, they quickly reasoned that the human world was imitating the Trisolarans by purifying their own thoughts. Of course, this was the Trisolaran thought pattern.
Given humanity's current substantial strength, it was appropriate to face challenges head-on without resorting to strategies like the Wallfacer Plan anymore.
If the Wallfacer Plan turned out to be false, there was no need to harbor illusions about it. One should adopt a scientific and rational approach to the civilization war, and the Wallfacer Plan would only slow their readiness to draw swords.
The thing Trisolarans feared the most was Logic utilizing Dark Forest Deterrence, but that too was out in the open.
From the Trisolarans' perspective, humans could not possibly know that the Waterdrop had the ability to block humans from using the sun to transmit stellar coordinates. Therefore, as long as they could block solar and universal broadcasts at the start of the decisive battle, the Trisolarans would win.
The Trisolarans also couldn't figure out what other means humans might have for Dark Forest Deterrence after blocking the sun. Human universal broadcasts could only be transmitted one light-year at most, and would hardly be detectable beyond that distance.