I'm not a Transformers fan at all, so maybe I'm completely missing why just switching the names of the factions( and, frankly, who calls their heroes "Decepticons"? ) If you have a problem with @The_Red_Star_Rising 's interpretation, take it up with him.
Reds fanfic
- Thread starter E. Burke
- Start date
Honestly this does sound a lot cooler than @The_Red_Star_Rising 's idea in my opinion. A nice switcheroo and could work well I personally believe.
Redshank Galloglass
Banned
Hey man,not trying to argue, because I don't like when things get heated. Just trying to brainstorm here, sorry if I rubbed you the wrong way.
Redshank Galloglass
Banned
We'd just have to switch the names or something. Or just use the shattered glass explanations for the names (Autobots are a common name for the Transformer monarchy while Decepticons are used because of the deception and guerilla tactics they utilize)
Oh, I'm very sorry if that came off more aggressive than I intended. I didn't mean to come off like I was upset (maybe I'm just tired (I'm in Pennsylvania, but still stuck to some extent on Rocky Mountain time), and didn't properly read what I had written.) I was just trying to find a middle ground between these two proposals, and that last comment was just me stating that I was not the originator of the proposal, and I'm not an expert on this topic. Hence, it's probably better if you discuss this more with Red Star, given he wrote the proposal and probably knows more about this subject.
(Well I mean, Megatron as a good guy is already a thing; we call it Shattered Glass which is basically what Deleon Describes to a T without explicitly socialist themes.)
Bookmark1995
Banned
After we reached the island of Manhattan, the bus driver spent some time navigating the narrow grid of the urbanized island, trying to get past all the traffic. After ten minutes, we finally reached out destination: the Lower East Side. The longtime entry point for generation of immigrants seeking a better life in the New World, and often contested as the "true" birthplace of socialist America by patriotic New Yorkers, it would be home to us foreigners, young people looking for work and curious about a new land, for the next few months.
The bus finally came to a stop in an underground parking garage. Once the bus was fully stationary, the 40 of us, tired of sitting, scrambled to get up and stretch our legs, only to stopped by Damelus' command.
"No," she said forcefully,"Comrades, I know your eager to get out, but we must have an orderly exit. You will only be permitted to leave once I've called your row."
There was a collective (ha!) sigh of frustration from everybody present. And some noises of discomfort from George.
"What," I asked.
"I really got to go to the bathroom," George said, crossing his legs and squirming. "I wish Damelus would just let us in."
"Hold it in," I said rather unsympathetically.
"But-"
"You piss and crap in public again, I will fucking punch you all the way to the Arctic," I interrupted, with an icy tone.
"It was one time!"
Waiting to get up from our chairs, it felt like time was slowing down. The closer we were to our row getting called, the longer time seemed to stretch out. Nature seemingly brings us closer to our deepest desires, and them makes them seem further away. Come on, come on...
"Row 10-," Damelus called out. At last. Me and George jumped up from our seats, finally able to walk again. What a glorious moment. We finally left, saying our perfunctory goodbye to the bus driver about to go off and fight in the World War III, I hoped.
We finally got off the bus, where we met with Fred and Ian. Eventually, Damelus and the rest of the volunteers got off.
"Before we go to our flat," Damelus said with a clipboard in hand, "we must take attendance. Please say your name loud and clear."
Damelus went through the list, with all 40 of us saying our names in a symphony of identification.
"Okay, one person who has not replied I have not heard is 'Anna Dunst'," said Damelus. "She was recorded having gone on the bus at Moncton. She said she would arrive in New York. Where is Anna Dunst."
"There," Fred shouted, pointing to the back of the bus. Damelus and a few of us turned around to see a girl still sitting in the back. Even from here, I could see shock all over her face. Damelus sighed, however, and tried to board the bus to make the girl leave.
"You think it might be separation anxiety," uttered Ian.
"What," I replied.
"Separation anxiety. That girl won't get off the bus, and she looks like she step foot on Mars."
"Maybe she just likes sitting in the chair," uttered Fred, which earned the rest of us a chuckle.
"Who cares," said George, his bathroom needs still on his mind, "I really got to do!"
Damelus and the girl, whose named was Anne, finally got off the bus. Now that I could see the girl clearly. She was about 150 cm. Her hair was shoulder length, brown, and kind of uneven. She was wearing a green skirt and a white blouse that looked more like it was for fall weather than summer. I could see more than just shock on her face. She looked like she was about to burst into tears. But there was something on her face, something that made me sad to my stomach. I don't know. I cocked my head to the right, and saw the pretty, thus popular, girls giving her a weird look. Was it pity, or were these girls evil queen bees planning to pick on an easy target? Although I didn't now this girl, part me of privately wished her the best.
After Anne got off the bus, presumably after Damelus gave her some reassurances, our chaperone began ordering us to walk, holding hands so nobody got lost.
My group finally got our first look at the streets of Manhattan. It was incredible. Growing up in Grand Falls, I rarely ever saw a building more than two stories. All around me, almost no building was shorter than 5. The green grass I had grown accustomed to was mostly replaced with cement sidewalk. It was still afternoon, so the sun was still shining, almost making the surrounding area glow gold. It was quite a change from New Brunswick.
But what mostly stood out was the people. In New Brunswick rarely did I meet anyone who was non-white. But in one segment of street, I saw black men, Asians, and Hispanics. People from all around the world. Metropolis was at the center of the world.
After ten minutes of walking we finally reached our dorm. It was old brick tenement house, about six stories high, with one of those old, rusting fire escapes in the front. Damelus told us it normally housed NYU students, but it would serve as shelter for us Young Pioneers during the summer.
After piling into the very spacious lobby, Damelus stopped us all for an announcement.
"At 20:00, we will meet up at the rec room for our orientation. Use the time before then to get settled, and find your assigned rooms."
Thankfully, my friends and I were able to ask for a specific room number for ourselves when we applied in advance. Unfortunately, it was on the fifth floor, and there was no elevator.
"Just one floor", Ian stated. We were all winded from walking up steps and carrying our heavy luggage. Even Fred could barely stand, and George was moaning in agony, barely able to keep his bowels together.
When we finally made it to the fifth floor, we all collapsed in the stairwell doorway to catch our breath. Again, we were mostly used to a two-story setting.
We finally made it to our room. It was adequate. Two bunk beds, a couple of dressers, and little mini fridge. Plus a window that gave us an exclusive overhead view of a famous fire hydrant.
"I got the top bunk," Ian said, excitedly climbing the tiny ladder like a ten year old on caffeine.
"I'm gonna go find the bathroom," George screamed, running out of the room.
"So, you think you can lay a girl here," Ian asked, while lying in his bed like a Cuban playboy.
"I don't know," I replied, "the bed seems kind of small. Plus if you did really crazy stuff, you'd probably fall out."
"Third base", Ian asked, sitting up.
"Yeah, third base wouldn't be too awkward, what do you think Fred," I turned to Fred who was opening his chest. He shrugged his shoulders.
"After that, you're better off in the bottom-," our conversation was cut off by a loud shriek, the sound of smacking, and the sound of George pleading for mercy. Us three ran out, and saw George getting smacked by a particularly irate girl, alongside a bunch of other witnesses.
"Stop, I didn't know," George said. "I'm sorry."
"Pervert," she screamed every time she hit George." Pervert!"
"Hey, what's going on," another voice pulled up. The girl temporarily stopped her assault. We saw the source of the voice. He was a tall guy, who could be described as having a 35 year old forehead full of those lines, and a 25 year old face. "I'm Dave. I'm your floor supervisor/adviser". Yeah, he did look like one. He had enough of a youthful appearance to appear relatable to teenagers, but had enough signs of aging that we knew who was in charge. "Why are you," he directed the question toward the girl. "Attacking that kid? And what are your names." He turned to the crowd. "What are you all looking at. Get back inside," he said sternly. Everybody started heeding his warning.
"I'm Lisa," the girl said," and this jerk snuck into the girls bathroom."
"I'm George," George said timidly, "and I swear I didn't know it was the girl's bathroom." For some reason, Dave started laughing like a man who had seen Monty Python, to Lisa's chagrin.
"If you two had bothered to read the Pioneer's Guide," both George and Lisa looked embarrassed. "You would know that the bathrooms are unisex. There are no 'boys' or 'girls' rooms here in Metropolis. Both sexes share that bathroom." Lisa looked contrite.
"Don't worry," Dave said kindly ,"Things like that happen all the time. You're gonna see other strange things along the way. But don't worry, you'll get used to life here. Everybody does eventually." He walked away with a reminder of orientation.
"I'm sorry," Lisa said to George, her enraged face replaced with one of sadness. "You're first day here, and I attack you."
"Don't worry about it," George said reluctantly, his face running with cold sweat. "I got to go to the bathroom, bye," he said running off. After staring at him for about a minute, Lisa walked off.
Ian went back to his discussions about safe relations, but I was lost in my thoughts. 'What other surprises awaited us in this crazy-ass city.' I was tempted to read the book, but dropped it anyways, more invested in Ian's words than the book, like the usual teenage slacker.
Part 7: Getting Settled,Memoirs of the Red Turn (2006), Harold MacDevon
PROLOGUE
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5
Part 6
The bus finally came to a stop in an underground parking garage. Once the bus was fully stationary, the 40 of us, tired of sitting, scrambled to get up and stretch our legs, only to stopped by Damelus' command.
"No," she said forcefully,"Comrades, I know your eager to get out, but we must have an orderly exit. You will only be permitted to leave once I've called your row."
There was a collective (ha!) sigh of frustration from everybody present. And some noises of discomfort from George.
"What," I asked.
"I really got to go to the bathroom," George said, crossing his legs and squirming. "I wish Damelus would just let us in."
"Hold it in," I said rather unsympathetically.
"But-"
"You piss and crap in public again, I will fucking punch you all the way to the Arctic," I interrupted, with an icy tone.
"It was one time!"
Waiting to get up from our chairs, it felt like time was slowing down. The closer we were to our row getting called, the longer time seemed to stretch out. Nature seemingly brings us closer to our deepest desires, and them makes them seem further away. Come on, come on...
"Row 10-," Damelus called out. At last. Me and George jumped up from our seats, finally able to walk again. What a glorious moment. We finally left, saying our perfunctory goodbye to the bus driver about to go off and fight in the World War III, I hoped.
We finally got off the bus, where we met with Fred and Ian. Eventually, Damelus and the rest of the volunteers got off.
"Before we go to our flat," Damelus said with a clipboard in hand, "we must take attendance. Please say your name loud and clear."
Damelus went through the list, with all 40 of us saying our names in a symphony of identification.
"Okay, one person who has not replied I have not heard is 'Anna Dunst'," said Damelus. "She was recorded having gone on the bus at Moncton. She said she would arrive in New York. Where is Anna Dunst."
"There," Fred shouted, pointing to the back of the bus. Damelus and a few of us turned around to see a girl still sitting in the back. Even from here, I could see shock all over her face. Damelus sighed, however, and tried to board the bus to make the girl leave.
"You think it might be separation anxiety," uttered Ian.
"What," I replied.
"Separation anxiety. That girl won't get off the bus, and she looks like she step foot on Mars."
"Maybe she just likes sitting in the chair," uttered Fred, which earned the rest of us a chuckle.
"Who cares," said George, his bathroom needs still on his mind, "I really got to do!"
Damelus and the girl, whose named was Anne, finally got off the bus. Now that I could see the girl clearly. She was about 150 cm. Her hair was shoulder length, brown, and kind of uneven. She was wearing a green skirt and a white blouse that looked more like it was for fall weather than summer. I could see more than just shock on her face. She looked like she was about to burst into tears. But there was something on her face, something that made me sad to my stomach. I don't know. I cocked my head to the right, and saw the pretty, thus popular, girls giving her a weird look. Was it pity, or were these girls evil queen bees planning to pick on an easy target? Although I didn't now this girl, part me of privately wished her the best.
After Anne got off the bus, presumably after Damelus gave her some reassurances, our chaperone began ordering us to walk, holding hands so nobody got lost.
My group finally got our first look at the streets of Manhattan. It was incredible. Growing up in Grand Falls, I rarely ever saw a building more than two stories. All around me, almost no building was shorter than 5. The green grass I had grown accustomed to was mostly replaced with cement sidewalk. It was still afternoon, so the sun was still shining, almost making the surrounding area glow gold. It was quite a change from New Brunswick.
But what mostly stood out was the people. In New Brunswick rarely did I meet anyone who was non-white. But in one segment of street, I saw black men, Asians, and Hispanics. People from all around the world. Metropolis was at the center of the world.
After ten minutes of walking we finally reached our dorm. It was old brick tenement house, about six stories high, with one of those old, rusting fire escapes in the front. Damelus told us it normally housed NYU students, but it would serve as shelter for us Young Pioneers during the summer.
After piling into the very spacious lobby, Damelus stopped us all for an announcement.
"At 20:00, we will meet up at the rec room for our orientation. Use the time before then to get settled, and find your assigned rooms."
Thankfully, my friends and I were able to ask for a specific room number for ourselves when we applied in advance. Unfortunately, it was on the fifth floor, and there was no elevator.
"Just one floor", Ian stated. We were all winded from walking up steps and carrying our heavy luggage. Even Fred could barely stand, and George was moaning in agony, barely able to keep his bowels together.
When we finally made it to the fifth floor, we all collapsed in the stairwell doorway to catch our breath. Again, we were mostly used to a two-story setting.
We finally made it to our room. It was adequate. Two bunk beds, a couple of dressers, and little mini fridge. Plus a window that gave us an exclusive overhead view of a famous fire hydrant.
"I got the top bunk," Ian said, excitedly climbing the tiny ladder like a ten year old on caffeine.
"I'm gonna go find the bathroom," George screamed, running out of the room.
"So, you think you can lay a girl here," Ian asked, while lying in his bed like a Cuban playboy.
"I don't know," I replied, "the bed seems kind of small. Plus if you did really crazy stuff, you'd probably fall out."
"Third base", Ian asked, sitting up.
"Yeah, third base wouldn't be too awkward, what do you think Fred," I turned to Fred who was opening his chest. He shrugged his shoulders.
"After that, you're better off in the bottom-," our conversation was cut off by a loud shriek, the sound of smacking, and the sound of George pleading for mercy. Us three ran out, and saw George getting smacked by a particularly irate girl, alongside a bunch of other witnesses.
"Stop, I didn't know," George said. "I'm sorry."
"Pervert," she screamed every time she hit George." Pervert!"
"Hey, what's going on," another voice pulled up. The girl temporarily stopped her assault. We saw the source of the voice. He was a tall guy, who could be described as having a 35 year old forehead full of those lines, and a 25 year old face. "I'm Dave. I'm your floor supervisor/adviser". Yeah, he did look like one. He had enough of a youthful appearance to appear relatable to teenagers, but had enough signs of aging that we knew who was in charge. "Why are you," he directed the question toward the girl. "Attacking that kid? And what are your names." He turned to the crowd. "What are you all looking at. Get back inside," he said sternly. Everybody started heeding his warning.
"I'm Lisa," the girl said," and this jerk snuck into the girls bathroom."
"I'm George," George said timidly, "and I swear I didn't know it was the girl's bathroom." For some reason, Dave started laughing like a man who had seen Monty Python, to Lisa's chagrin.
"If you two had bothered to read the Pioneer's Guide," both George and Lisa looked embarrassed. "You would know that the bathrooms are unisex. There are no 'boys' or 'girls' rooms here in Metropolis. Both sexes share that bathroom." Lisa looked contrite.
"Don't worry," Dave said kindly ,"Things like that happen all the time. You're gonna see other strange things along the way. But don't worry, you'll get used to life here. Everybody does eventually." He walked away with a reminder of orientation.
"I'm sorry," Lisa said to George, her enraged face replaced with one of sadness. "You're first day here, and I attack you."
"Don't worry about it," George said reluctantly, his face running with cold sweat. "I got to go to the bathroom, bye," he said running off. After staring at him for about a minute, Lisa walked off.
Ian went back to his discussions about safe relations, but I was lost in my thoughts. 'What other surprises awaited us in this crazy-ass city.' I was tempted to read the book, but dropped it anyways, more invested in Ian's words than the book, like the usual teenage slacker.
Part 7: Getting Settled,Memoirs of the Red Turn (2006), Harold MacDevon
PROLOGUE
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5
Part 6
Last edited:
Dear ladies and gentlemen, comrades. Almost a week ago he died a very unusual, and probably remarkable man. Jacques Fresco - he was 101 years old. Despite the lack of understanding of communism, and the rejection of the ideas of Marxism and the materialistic understanding of history, it has made an invaluable contribution to the propaganda of ideas of sustainable development, social progress, and a penniless economy. He is consecrated to my post.
- Basically, my outlook was formed in the conditions of the Great Depression of 1929. Then it occurred to me that with the Earth itself nothing happened: factories and resources have not disappeared anywhere, people simply do not have money to buy. I realized that the principles on which our society works are outdated and harmful to us. This is the beginning of my long search for life. The result of them became the conclusions and plans of the Venus Project.
Suffering, greed, war and profit derived from it served as a stimulus and inspiration for my work. The motivation was also the obvious incompetence of the authorities and the scientific world, as well as the lack of proposals from scientists to address these problems. Many of them, specializing in extremely narrow aspects of social problems, have not succeeded in becoming universals. Scientists and politicians look at these problems from within the system itself, which is primarily responsible for their appearance. I am disappointed in people who are concerned about the settlement of other planets, while our own planet is still shaken by wars, poverty, hunger and ecology is not taken into account.
Working with drug addicts, alcoholics and so-called juvenile delinquents in New York convinced me that re-educating individuals is far less effective than working on improving social conditions that are the cause of deviant behavior.
- Can you recall your first experience in designing?
- Yes. When I was 13, one of my relatives had a hand in a working metal fan. This prompted me to design a fan with rubber or cloth blades. I sent out drawings to several enterprises, but they did not show interest. After a while, the product appeared on the market. This became my first acquaintance with market relations.
Once, when I was ten years old, I made a special candle for one religious sect in (Now it's Metropolis). The sectarians were not allowed to extinguish candles during church holidays, so I made for them such a candle, which itself was extinguished at the right time. For this, I measured the length at which the usual candle burned out for a certain time. Then I cut the wick in a place that corresponded to the right time of burning, and pulled out the excess part of the wick from below.
- Comrade Fresco, according to your work, I see that you are firmly convinced of the coming changes and share great optimism with regard to things that seem impossible or, in extreme cases, possible only in the distant future (for example, the colonization of the world ocean). I'm curious: where do you get the strength to work on such tasks?
- In the past I worked in the aviation industry and learned a lot about aircraft that can move in three planes and undergo a wide variety of loads. It is necessary to take into account a variety of conditions that do not arise in stationary terrestrial structures. Among the tasks were such as simplifying the design, eliminating noticeable emissions and improving speed characteristics with the lowest energy costs.
Another reason that strengthened my optimistic view of problem solving was the Second World War, namely the Manhattan Project. The United States spent billions of dollars to build weapons of mass destruction. In this project, money was not considered. He became one of the largest and most financed projects of the time. It became obvious that the same forces that were spent on the Manhattan project could be directed at improving the quality of life and achieving the optimal symbiotic relationship between man and nature. If we are willing to squander so much money, resources and human lives for wars, we must ask ourselves, why in peacetime we do not direct so much energy to meet all needs and improve the present and future lives of each person?
When scientists were involved in solving problems of a military nature, the answers did not take long. These events demonstrated to me the ability of science and technology, with appropriate organization and funding, to solve these problems. But it is shameful that such an approach is not used to solve social problems on a global scale.
It is also shameful that billions are spent on space projects on terraforming other planets in order to create suitable living conditions for them, while the problems of our own planet are ignored, and water, air and land are polluted.
I'm not trying to predict the future with my work. I just want to demonstrate what is possible with the reasonable application and humane use of science and technology. This by no means means that scientists will manage the society. I propose only the application of scientific methods to the social system for the benefit of mankind and the environment.
- Even a quick glance at your resume says that you, of course, are a brilliant person, worked in many different spheres. When did you start research into human behavior and opportunities?
- It happened long before this direction became part of the recognized profession." It all started with attempts to make technological processes involving people more efficient. Over time, fewer workers were required for production, and I saw that this process brings advantages to the industry, and not to people, and this made me uncomfortable.
- What do you think, what major changes await us in the near future, as well as in the distant future?
- We have all the technologies to create a universal paradise on Earth. At the same time, we are able to destroy life on the planet. I'm a futurist. I can not exactly predict the future - just what the world can become if it is reasonable to dispose of it and its resources. My difference from other futurologists is that I am working on real plans and methods to create a cohesive world community in which each person will be endowed with a higher standard of living, greater freedom and opportunities. If we work on the formation of a new world society, we can rid the world of hunger, wars and poverty - something that humanity has never been able to overcome in its entire history. But if the civilization still continues to move in today's course, then simply old mistakes will be repeated again and again.
- You say that we are able to solve such incessant problems of the modern world as wars, poverty and hunger. But how is this possible? Are you working on solutions to these problems?
- All my works, like the proposed alternative system of society, are aimed specifically at their solution. I'm not just mucking holes to cover up problems. I've always worked on plans to eliminate the circumstances that are responsible for these problems in the first place. An exhaustive answer to this question will be occupied by a whole bookshelf. I can only recommend my book "The best that you can not buy for money." Albert Einstein once said: "It is impossible to solve the problem at the level of thinking on which it arose."
- You are compared to Leonardo da Vinci. What do you think about it? Does this imposes a certain burden on you?
- I will not even think about this comparison. I'm not worried that I will not live up to someone's expectations. I act only within my capabilities. If people support the project, then it will become a reality. If not, all of today's problems will remain in our lives. Little depends on me. At the moment I can only introduce the world to the existing alternative. The question of preserving our species depends on the actions that we will take today.
I believe that I am in a better position than Leonardo da Vinci, as I have access to more information, to new materials and methods.
- How are you attuned to the future - optimistic or pessimistic?
- Neither."The future does not depend on me alone. I do everything possible to realize a positive future, in which the problems of the modern world will be overcome.
- Is there a person with whom you would very much like to meet?
- Yes. It can be any person, any people or the whole people who would help in promotion and financing of the Venus Project.
- How did you become self-taught?
- The academic program, in my opinion, did not address important material. And I was interested in the various interpenetrations of the natural sciences, but ordinary schools separated and isolated each learning subject. Therefore, I decided to independently reunite the disparate disciplines into a single whole, in order to apply science and technology to solving global problems.
- Do you have an idol?
-I owe a great debt to people from different disciplines." My views were influenced by such people as Jules Verne, Edward Bellamy, Howard Scott, Thorstein Veblen, Herbert Wells, Jagdish Chandra Bosche, Alfred Korjibski, Walter Cannon, Stuart Chase, Clearance Darrow, Arthur Clark, Mark Twain, Jacques Loeb, Carl Sagan and many others. All can not be counted.
As for the revolutionary figures, I am a bit disappointed in them. They could not end the monetary system. That's why I turned to social-ecology. Although in my opinion they often leave the most important issues.
- What significant events have occurred in your life?
- The most significant event is the interest shown to the Venus Project around the world on the Internet, magazines, books, documentaries and so on.
- It isn't enough to just dream about the future, we need to visualize it. What is the difference between these two concepts?
- From my point of view, dreams are based on hopes, desires and personal goals without any specific plans. They are nothing more than science fiction. On the other hand, constructive vision requires methods to achieve the desired goal, namely, a sustainable future. The project should include plans for education, health, urban development, transport, clean energy sources, etc.
- Which of the future projects impresses you, and which ones frighten you?
- I am impressed by what unthinkable, amazing achievements will be revealed to us in the future, as well as the possibility of uniting the whole world. However, I am frightened by our unwillingness to use technology constructively and reasonably.
- How do you design? How do you start work?
- First of all, I ask myself what I want to achieve, and I try to find the simplest way to solve the problem. The simplest way is based on what tools and information I have. If I faced the task of designing an inexpensive, safe aircraft using a minimum of materials with the greatest strength, I would prefer a "flying wing". In the "flying wing" there is no fuselage, tail unit, steering wheel and stabilizer. The passenger cabin is located right in the wing. I designed many different variants of the "flying wing" back in the 1930s.
The organization of society must be based on the carrying capacity of the earth's resources, and not on the philosophy, desires, aesthetics or privileges of individuals. For example, the circular planning of cities is based on the minimum energy expenditure for obtaining the maximum public benefit. A reasonably planned construction uses the least amount of materials for the safety and efficiency of buildings. With the advent of new materials, architecture and city planning will change. This will not limit our capabilities, but, on the contrary, will provide each person more amenities, goods and services.
- In your opinion, what is the most promising field of science in terms of technological development? Architecture or can be materials science?
- The principle of universality and versatility. It combines all the factors necessary for the sustainable existence of a highly developed, technological civilization.
- What effect does technology have on your confidence in the materialization of your vision, and how do you feel about the rapid conceptual and formal development of these technologies throughout your career?
- Technologies have provided us with procedures and methods for solving problems in various social spheres. I have worked on many tasks in aircraft construction, medicine, plastics, housing construction, energy development, the film industry, future research, etc.
- The range of your activities is really wide and includes drawing, modeling, 3D modeling, architecture, writing books, cinematography and engineering. I would like to know how you combine all this?
- All these different disciplines are necessary for designing an environment for a global social device, taking into account the available means. However, I do not view my proposals and plans as final, as the final milestone in development.
- How can you foresee and project the future?
- We are looking for a possible direction for the future, by extrapolating existing developments, technologies and trends. In our plans for the development of society and the environment, we also take into account a new and humane approach.
- Is the imagination the most important starting point and is it sufficient for planning?
- No, imagination is not the most important thing. The most important thing is to work out the details, and not just imagine. When designing, it is necessary to proceed from the technologies and knowledge available to us, and also apply them for the benefit of all people and the environment. In this there is nothing to do with simple desires, dreams and philosophical discourses.
- How do you assess the role of robotics in the future? Will all the work be done by robots, like in fantasy films, or will everything be different? Will man be the most important factor?
- Scenarios for fantasy films are written by people of creative professions who are seldom sufficiently competent in technology issues, and especially in their application to society. Many of these authors express fear of technology. They lack a deep understanding of the human potential in technological development. Technology is only a tool for expanding human capabilities.
In technologically advanced countries, the decision-making process in the industrial and military sphere is increasingly assigned to computers. Machines will not seize power, but they will gradually be assigned more tasks. Modern computers are capable of processing more than one thousand trillion bits of information per second. No man can do this. In the near future, the regulation of processes in a global society will be so complex that no group of people can cope with it.
That's why I insist that the society use cybernetics not only for storing data, but also for processing important information in order to apply the results for the benefit of all mankind. Only the fastest computers can store and process the data necessary for an impartial and sustainable analysis and decision making about the development and distribution of resources on a global scale.
Even imaginative writers and futurists of the twentieth century could hardly accept the possibility that robots could replace surgeons, engineers, managers, pilots, etc. It ceased to be unimaginable that in the future machines could begin to write poems, compose music, and eventually even surpass people in the direction and management of world processes.
It's not about the morality or ethical role of man, but about a realistic presentation of the technological trends of the future. (Note this passage is important for understanding Fresco's world-view, but I'm not sure that the theme of machine revolt will be revealed in American fiction, on the other hand it can be exacerbated in Anglo-French, as an expression of fear of a possible proletarian revolution.)
- Do we use information efficiently?
- No, we are not yet competent enough to use information intelligently. Unfortunately, today we abuse science and technology, we misuse them. We are wasting our resources and the best minds to develop weapons and other destructive devices.
- Have you ever thought about the meaning of life?
- This is a philosophical question, which has no connection with the physical world. Theologians tried to answer him. We regard man as a product of the evolutionary process. Going to this issue scientifically, it would be worth asking: "What processes lead to the emergence of various forms of life?" This topic is discussed in detail in my book "The best thing not to buy for money" in the chapter "From superstition to science".
- And the last question, Mr. Fresco: What do you think is the most significant change that we could make today?
- The Venus project is a concept that can be realized today. But it does not depend on me, but on what others will do to help make it work.
Interview to the magazine "Telos"
- What prompted you to think about an alternative social system? Is there an event in life or life experience in general?
- Basically, my outlook was formed in the conditions of the Great Depression of 1929. Then it occurred to me that with the Earth itself nothing happened: factories and resources have not disappeared anywhere, people simply do not have money to buy. I realized that the principles on which our society works are outdated and harmful to us. This is the beginning of my long search for life. The result of them became the conclusions and plans of the Venus Project.
Suffering, greed, war and profit derived from it served as a stimulus and inspiration for my work. The motivation was also the obvious incompetence of the authorities and the scientific world, as well as the lack of proposals from scientists to address these problems. Many of them, specializing in extremely narrow aspects of social problems, have not succeeded in becoming universals. Scientists and politicians look at these problems from within the system itself, which is primarily responsible for their appearance. I am disappointed in people who are concerned about the settlement of other planets, while our own planet is still shaken by wars, poverty, hunger and ecology is not taken into account.
Working with drug addicts, alcoholics and so-called juvenile delinquents in New York convinced me that re-educating individuals is far less effective than working on improving social conditions that are the cause of deviant behavior.
- Can you recall your first experience in designing?
- Yes. When I was 13, one of my relatives had a hand in a working metal fan. This prompted me to design a fan with rubber or cloth blades. I sent out drawings to several enterprises, but they did not show interest. After a while, the product appeared on the market. This became my first acquaintance with market relations.
Once, when I was ten years old, I made a special candle for one religious sect in (Now it's Metropolis). The sectarians were not allowed to extinguish candles during church holidays, so I made for them such a candle, which itself was extinguished at the right time. For this, I measured the length at which the usual candle burned out for a certain time. Then I cut the wick in a place that corresponded to the right time of burning, and pulled out the excess part of the wick from below.
- Comrade Fresco, according to your work, I see that you are firmly convinced of the coming changes and share great optimism with regard to things that seem impossible or, in extreme cases, possible only in the distant future (for example, the colonization of the world ocean). I'm curious: where do you get the strength to work on such tasks?
- In the past I worked in the aviation industry and learned a lot about aircraft that can move in three planes and undergo a wide variety of loads. It is necessary to take into account a variety of conditions that do not arise in stationary terrestrial structures. Among the tasks were such as simplifying the design, eliminating noticeable emissions and improving speed characteristics with the lowest energy costs.
Another reason that strengthened my optimistic view of problem solving was the Second World War, namely the Manhattan Project. The United States spent billions of dollars to build weapons of mass destruction. In this project, money was not considered. He became one of the largest and most financed projects of the time. It became obvious that the same forces that were spent on the Manhattan project could be directed at improving the quality of life and achieving the optimal symbiotic relationship between man and nature. If we are willing to squander so much money, resources and human lives for wars, we must ask ourselves, why in peacetime we do not direct so much energy to meet all needs and improve the present and future lives of each person?
When scientists were involved in solving problems of a military nature, the answers did not take long. These events demonstrated to me the ability of science and technology, with appropriate organization and funding, to solve these problems. But it is shameful that such an approach is not used to solve social problems on a global scale.
It is also shameful that billions are spent on space projects on terraforming other planets in order to create suitable living conditions for them, while the problems of our own planet are ignored, and water, air and land are polluted.
I'm not trying to predict the future with my work. I just want to demonstrate what is possible with the reasonable application and humane use of science and technology. This by no means means that scientists will manage the society. I propose only the application of scientific methods to the social system for the benefit of mankind and the environment.
- Even a quick glance at your resume says that you, of course, are a brilliant person, worked in many different spheres. When did you start research into human behavior and opportunities?
- It happened long before this direction became part of the recognized profession." It all started with attempts to make technological processes involving people more efficient. Over time, fewer workers were required for production, and I saw that this process brings advantages to the industry, and not to people, and this made me uncomfortable.
- What do you think, what major changes await us in the near future, as well as in the distant future?
- We have all the technologies to create a universal paradise on Earth. At the same time, we are able to destroy life on the planet. I'm a futurist. I can not exactly predict the future - just what the world can become if it is reasonable to dispose of it and its resources. My difference from other futurologists is that I am working on real plans and methods to create a cohesive world community in which each person will be endowed with a higher standard of living, greater freedom and opportunities. If we work on the formation of a new world society, we can rid the world of hunger, wars and poverty - something that humanity has never been able to overcome in its entire history. But if the civilization still continues to move in today's course, then simply old mistakes will be repeated again and again.
- You say that we are able to solve such incessant problems of the modern world as wars, poverty and hunger. But how is this possible? Are you working on solutions to these problems?
- All my works, like the proposed alternative system of society, are aimed specifically at their solution. I'm not just mucking holes to cover up problems. I've always worked on plans to eliminate the circumstances that are responsible for these problems in the first place. An exhaustive answer to this question will be occupied by a whole bookshelf. I can only recommend my book "The best that you can not buy for money." Albert Einstein once said: "It is impossible to solve the problem at the level of thinking on which it arose."
- You are compared to Leonardo da Vinci. What do you think about it? Does this imposes a certain burden on you?
- I will not even think about this comparison. I'm not worried that I will not live up to someone's expectations. I act only within my capabilities. If people support the project, then it will become a reality. If not, all of today's problems will remain in our lives. Little depends on me. At the moment I can only introduce the world to the existing alternative. The question of preserving our species depends on the actions that we will take today.
I believe that I am in a better position than Leonardo da Vinci, as I have access to more information, to new materials and methods.
- How are you attuned to the future - optimistic or pessimistic?
- Neither."The future does not depend on me alone. I do everything possible to realize a positive future, in which the problems of the modern world will be overcome.
- Is there a person with whom you would very much like to meet?
- Yes. It can be any person, any people or the whole people who would help in promotion and financing of the Venus Project.
- How did you become self-taught?
- The academic program, in my opinion, did not address important material. And I was interested in the various interpenetrations of the natural sciences, but ordinary schools separated and isolated each learning subject. Therefore, I decided to independently reunite the disparate disciplines into a single whole, in order to apply science and technology to solving global problems.
- Do you have an idol?
-I owe a great debt to people from different disciplines." My views were influenced by such people as Jules Verne, Edward Bellamy, Howard Scott, Thorstein Veblen, Herbert Wells, Jagdish Chandra Bosche, Alfred Korjibski, Walter Cannon, Stuart Chase, Clearance Darrow, Arthur Clark, Mark Twain, Jacques Loeb, Carl Sagan and many others. All can not be counted.
As for the revolutionary figures, I am a bit disappointed in them. They could not end the monetary system. That's why I turned to social-ecology. Although in my opinion they often leave the most important issues.
- What significant events have occurred in your life?
- The most significant event is the interest shown to the Venus Project around the world on the Internet, magazines, books, documentaries and so on.
- It isn't enough to just dream about the future, we need to visualize it. What is the difference between these two concepts?
- From my point of view, dreams are based on hopes, desires and personal goals without any specific plans. They are nothing more than science fiction. On the other hand, constructive vision requires methods to achieve the desired goal, namely, a sustainable future. The project should include plans for education, health, urban development, transport, clean energy sources, etc.
- Which of the future projects impresses you, and which ones frighten you?
- I am impressed by what unthinkable, amazing achievements will be revealed to us in the future, as well as the possibility of uniting the whole world. However, I am frightened by our unwillingness to use technology constructively and reasonably.
- How do you design? How do you start work?
- First of all, I ask myself what I want to achieve, and I try to find the simplest way to solve the problem. The simplest way is based on what tools and information I have. If I faced the task of designing an inexpensive, safe aircraft using a minimum of materials with the greatest strength, I would prefer a "flying wing". In the "flying wing" there is no fuselage, tail unit, steering wheel and stabilizer. The passenger cabin is located right in the wing. I designed many different variants of the "flying wing" back in the 1930s.
The organization of society must be based on the carrying capacity of the earth's resources, and not on the philosophy, desires, aesthetics or privileges of individuals. For example, the circular planning of cities is based on the minimum energy expenditure for obtaining the maximum public benefit. A reasonably planned construction uses the least amount of materials for the safety and efficiency of buildings. With the advent of new materials, architecture and city planning will change. This will not limit our capabilities, but, on the contrary, will provide each person more amenities, goods and services.
- In your opinion, what is the most promising field of science in terms of technological development? Architecture or can be materials science?
- The principle of universality and versatility. It combines all the factors necessary for the sustainable existence of a highly developed, technological civilization.
- What effect does technology have on your confidence in the materialization of your vision, and how do you feel about the rapid conceptual and formal development of these technologies throughout your career?
- Technologies have provided us with procedures and methods for solving problems in various social spheres. I have worked on many tasks in aircraft construction, medicine, plastics, housing construction, energy development, the film industry, future research, etc.
- The range of your activities is really wide and includes drawing, modeling, 3D modeling, architecture, writing books, cinematography and engineering. I would like to know how you combine all this?
- All these different disciplines are necessary for designing an environment for a global social device, taking into account the available means. However, I do not view my proposals and plans as final, as the final milestone in development.
- How can you foresee and project the future?
- We are looking for a possible direction for the future, by extrapolating existing developments, technologies and trends. In our plans for the development of society and the environment, we also take into account a new and humane approach.
- Is the imagination the most important starting point and is it sufficient for planning?
- No, imagination is not the most important thing. The most important thing is to work out the details, and not just imagine. When designing, it is necessary to proceed from the technologies and knowledge available to us, and also apply them for the benefit of all people and the environment. In this there is nothing to do with simple desires, dreams and philosophical discourses.
- How do you assess the role of robotics in the future? Will all the work be done by robots, like in fantasy films, or will everything be different? Will man be the most important factor?
- Scenarios for fantasy films are written by people of creative professions who are seldom sufficiently competent in technology issues, and especially in their application to society. Many of these authors express fear of technology. They lack a deep understanding of the human potential in technological development. Technology is only a tool for expanding human capabilities.
In technologically advanced countries, the decision-making process in the industrial and military sphere is increasingly assigned to computers. Machines will not seize power, but they will gradually be assigned more tasks. Modern computers are capable of processing more than one thousand trillion bits of information per second. No man can do this. In the near future, the regulation of processes in a global society will be so complex that no group of people can cope with it.
That's why I insist that the society use cybernetics not only for storing data, but also for processing important information in order to apply the results for the benefit of all mankind. Only the fastest computers can store and process the data necessary for an impartial and sustainable analysis and decision making about the development and distribution of resources on a global scale.
Even imaginative writers and futurists of the twentieth century could hardly accept the possibility that robots could replace surgeons, engineers, managers, pilots, etc. It ceased to be unimaginable that in the future machines could begin to write poems, compose music, and eventually even surpass people in the direction and management of world processes.
It's not about the morality or ethical role of man, but about a realistic presentation of the technological trends of the future. (Note this passage is important for understanding Fresco's world-view, but I'm not sure that the theme of machine revolt will be revealed in American fiction, on the other hand it can be exacerbated in Anglo-French, as an expression of fear of a possible proletarian revolution.)
- Do we use information efficiently?
- No, we are not yet competent enough to use information intelligently. Unfortunately, today we abuse science and technology, we misuse them. We are wasting our resources and the best minds to develop weapons and other destructive devices.
- Have you ever thought about the meaning of life?
- This is a philosophical question, which has no connection with the physical world. Theologians tried to answer him. We regard man as a product of the evolutionary process. Going to this issue scientifically, it would be worth asking: "What processes lead to the emergence of various forms of life?" This topic is discussed in detail in my book "The best thing not to buy for money" in the chapter "From superstition to science".
- And the last question, Mr. Fresco: What do you think is the most significant change that we could make today?
- The Venus project is a concept that can be realized today. But it does not depend on me, but on what others will do to help make it work.
Redshank Galloglass
Banned
Yah, but my point is that Megatron=good guy doesn't have to be the main focus. Shattered Glass was good, but it was really just bizarro world with Prime's personality inserted into Megatron and Megatron's inserted into Prime. My idea is that transformers doesn't explicitly make cartoonish villains per say outside of the original series ITTL. Megatron could be the good guy, but he doesn't have to be the Jesus-like idealist that Optimus Prime is, and Prime doesn't have to be a raging meglomaniacal mass killing sociopath like OTL Megatron. There could be a much more interesting plot to this transformers. Like I said, this doesn't have to happen at the beginning of ITTL transformers. Much of the lore wasn't established until well after the original show ended.
And if we're being honest, shattered glass fits Reds! Better than OTL transformers.
It's part of the TL. I think it's mentioned in passing as one of the changes during the First Cultural Revolution.
Redshank Galloglass
Banned
Sounds a bit forced and uncomfortable, but it's not my TL.
Then again, I already feel uncomfortable with public bathrooms in general, so...
I remember I participated in a dispute over asexual bathrooms .... It turns out that women and men need ... a little different.
However, if this is possible, then why not, I'm for!
To me, the thought that a society which actively challenges and bends and overflows (traditional) gender roles, which is actively much more sexual (and thus people are much more open and educated on sex), and which has been combating sexism and all its related violence, would be one to have unisex bathrooms is hardly a stretch.
Just in my opinion, and not to derail too much, but in my experience gendered division of bathrooms often appears to rest on a desire for gendered-divided bathrooms, safety, and (internalized) body shame. Of course there could be a whole lot more reasons more many people, especially OTL, but I think that in the UASR, which has been actively fighting all these elements, and especially in a very open and permissive environment like Metropolis, unisex bathrooms make total sense.
Just in my opinion, and not to derail too much, but in my experience gendered division of bathrooms often appears to rest on a desire for gendered-divided bathrooms, safety, and (internalized) body shame. Of course there could be a whole lot more reasons more many people, especially OTL, but I think that in the UASR, which has been actively fighting all these elements, and especially in a very open and permissive environment like Metropolis, unisex bathrooms make total sense.
Redshank Galloglass
Banned
Just seems kinda dumb and pointless to me if we're being completely honest.
I mean, either way, public bathrooms gross me the fuck out.
Bookmark1995
Banned
If you feel uncomfortable, then that was the point. Remember, a new culture has emerged after decades of communal life and divergence. There are going to be things in that culture that are both beneficial and very strange.
That is also one of the themes of the story. In-universe, Harry and his friends are going to encounter a lot of what they consider to be bizarre behavior. This is the result of North Americans being divided for nearly half a century of from one another. How they react, and how they adapt is going to play a role in the events of the story.
But you also need to consider how they specifically interact with their own demographic: 15-20 year olds. ITTL this age group would be the people who were brought up in the era of the Second Cultural Revolution. Their parents were making the changes, while they grew up with them, and thus see them as completely normal.
In Metropolis, once of the centers of this cultural shift, the changes are bigger. And this only widens the divide between urban Americans and bunch of rural Canadians who only came looking for money and some tail.
I'm not taking any side in the argument about gender segregated bathrooms. Just saying their existence would be something a bunch of New Brunswickers are going to struggle to adapt to.
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Redshank Galloglass
Banned
Well good job anyways, though I still don't see the fuss over public bathrooms.
Redshank Galloglass
Banned
with the permission of @The_Red_Star_Rising , id like to make a rewrite of transformers. I've got some interesting concepts i'd like to create.
it's gonna be sad getting rid of optimus though, he remains my favorite character, outside of Brawl and ME GRIMLOCK STRONKEST AUTOBOT!
it's gonna be sad getting rid of optimus though, he remains my favorite character, outside of Brawl and ME GRIMLOCK STRONKEST AUTOBOT!