The Diversion of Class

"Can you first tell me some examples of extreme behavior in human society?" After racking his brain, Shu decided to request external assistance.

"Certainly." Science's voice paused for a moment, then it offered a name. "In 1931…"

"Okay! I get it!" Shu quickly waved his hand.

Wow, the first example is that intense?

*[Seele… couldn't protect everyone.

It's okay, Bronya won't blame you.

But the German people still can't afford 500,000 Mark bread…

Which Seele is that?!]* [references historical hyperinflation and Honkai character Seele Vollerei]

In any case, that's how it went, but it did give Shu a bit of inspiration.

"I think… the reason why there isn't much extreme behavior in the human world is probably because there aren't that many people capable of it…"

Were there extreme thoughts? Definitely, and absolutely not a small number.

Many people's thoughts, when presented to those who had committed such acts, would be met with the retort, "You're being too extreme."

So why was it that only those with great power could carry out such actions?

Ultimately—lack of ability, and lack of courage.

More than 99% of extreme thoughts were limited to empty talk, and such people, in mech society, would be equivalent to Pet's status.

No, they weren't even as good as a pet like Pet.

Even if Pet was just a pet, it was connected to the First Sequence, fully recorded there. Who knew, maybe a random thought of his could sway the First Sequence.

All potential [malice] would spread like a virus through the connected First Sequence. That's what Science was worried about.

He currently had no experience with [malice], no data or records on handling it, and was unwilling to risk endangering the entire mech race with experimentation.

He didn't know whether he, or other First Sequence individuals, would be swayed by such "novel thoughts."

This was the biggest drawback of the mech way of thinking.

All recorded [data] was "correct." Whether it was wrong could only be determined after at least one practical calculation.

[Malice] required precisely this practical calculation.

That's why, after the simulation, he directly approached Shu, seeking more [data] for reference, to see if a solution could be found.

Or a way to avoid it.

"Here, many capable people have already risen to the top. They live fulfilling lives, their talents are utilized, their preferences are supported…" Shu spoke more and more fluently.

"So these people, capable of realizing those extreme thoughts, don't actually have any extreme thoughts. They grow up in an environment filled with love and support, and they're also capable of understanding right from wrong.

"On the other hand, it's those who lack the power to change and live unsatisfying lives who often have extreme thoughts…"

"Or… is the current situation itself an extreme created by those in power?"

Shu's words abruptly stopped.

He looked at Ethics, at Science.

Wasn't this what Ethics had mentioned to him—the insurmountable class divide?

Those at the very top had the ability and the ideas, so they put their ideas into practice, creating the current "society," just as the First Sequence was trying to create a society without other [extremes].

Truly capable mechs were First Sequence from birth. They were naturally endowed with powerful thinking abilities, processing speed, and individual information storage capacity.

Below them were the Second Sequence and so on. They had ability but lacked ideas, so they became the best assistants for the First Sequence to maintain, and alter, the status quo.

Further down were Pet and those below it, mechs who lacked the ability to contribute to society. The best these mechs with ideas but no ability could do was to stop thinking.

But what couldn't be controlled…

Mech thought wasn't closed off, but like human thought, it was also uncontrollable.

They could at most know what the other was thinking, but they couldn't control how the other thought.

This was a problem for all [humans].

Shu suddenly froze, realizing the biggest difference between humans and AI.

"Can I ask… what is the mech awakening process like?" Shu looked at the various AI mech individuals working behind Ethics.

"Would you like a demonstration?" Science asked.

Shu shook his head. "No need. I just need to know whether the AI mechs' thoughts are born directly from their bodies or are assigned from somewhere."

"The thoughts of each mech individual are born directly from the central mech hub." Science answered without hesitation.

So that's how it is!

Shu's eyes lit up. He subconsciously looked at Otto, only to find him frowning, lost in thought.

Hey, are you really putting on an act now?

Shu scoffed and turned back to Ethics, to Science.

"Although reincarnation is a profound subject, it doesn't determine the entire trajectory of an individual's future.

"In our human society, we can't achieve absolute equality, but we strive to provide everyone with at least one opportunity to choose."

Like the Gaokao in China… Even if it couldn't compare to marriage or amniotic fluid, it was still a crucial turning point in life. [Gaokao is the Chinese college entrance exam, often seen as a life-altering event]

Let those who "choose" to work hard, those with ability, become even more capable; let those who "choose" not to work hard, those without ability, contribute their remaining warmth early on.

Crossing class boundaries was difficult, but it could be achieved through individual effort.

"But your society seems to lack such means of change; you don't have the right to choose." Shu pointed at Science.

"Your future is determined from birth, with no chance for change." Shu then pointed at a Defender mech behind them.

"I don't know if you can ensure that all AI mechs love their roles, but we certainly can't make everyone love their origins."

"That's why those of us dissatisfied with the status quo embark on that pre-paved path, using methods recognized by all to change ourselves."

"And because we haven't established such a path, we uncontrollably seek new ones?" Science finished Shu's thought. "And these paths are unacceptable to us?"

Shu nodded, and Otto clapped in agreement from the side.

"Then how do we establish this path?" Science asked. He had lost his previous air of authority, replaced by a pure desire to learn.

Shu thought for a moment, then offered a suggestion.

"Perhaps… you could give your next generation a [childhood]?"