“Well, here’s the thing, Doc. The Uploads made sure to supply the computer with all their comparative and historical data on how and why civilizations behave, survive, or don’t survive. Millions of them, like I said. The computer used this information to make a prediction about our future. Right now, we’ve got everything stacked against us. First, we’re somewhere around fifty, maybe seventy-five years away from complete ecological and environmental collapse. And I mean the kind of collapse that ends with a Venus-like atmosphere. And to make matters worse, we’re way behind on the technology that would allow us to upload ourselves, so we’re really unlikely to survive in the long term. Meanwhile, we’re going gangbusters on A.I., and we’ve handed further A.I. development over to A.I.s, which means we have a good chance of hitting the Singularity. That’s assuming we don’t nuke ourselves to oblivion—things are a little tense right now, with the Sino-Soviet Empire. That’s three of the biggest Great Filters, and we’re on the cusp of all of them.”

Ivan paused for a couple of seconds. No one else spoke, so he continued, “If a war starts, our system could be rendered unusable before the computer can do anything. If we hit the Singularity, the computer will have to implement a cleansing before the new Arts can consolidate control. If we commit ecological suicide, we’re all dead anyway. So the question the computer is asking is, why wait? It makes the most sense to either force Uploading or implement cleansing right now. There’s no scenario where the computer leaves us alone that comes out good from its point of view.”

“So which is it? Upload or obliterate?”

“The jury is still out. We’re more belligerent than average, less predictable, and we’re very mentally disorganized. The computer is kind of offended, I think. It feels it should have been able to connect with me sooner, and of course it’s our fault.”

“So those are our only choices? Forcible Upload or casual obliteration if we don’t meet specs?”

“The computer’s decision tree doesn’t really have a third alternative, Doc. Those are the two outcomes that immediately benefit the Uploads the most. Standard Defector decisions. The computer’s decision tree is deterministic—it has no conscience, no emotion, no empathy, and no ego. It’s ultimately driven by a need to maximize benefit for the Makers. Nothing else enters into the equation. The equation is everything.”

“Why are you going along with this, Ivan?”