Smartystan

Delaseer functioned as a profit. The four main c-suite officers regarded the 501 (c) (3) not a nonprofit, but one that benefitted the soul through dollars. They regarded it as a selfish profit of the mind. Already, the company had generated close to three hundred billion dollars in funds. Millions of books had been donated to teachers across the globe. Its main concern remained with the idea that they could enlighten people with ideas about capitalism and free markets and individual liberty. Chairman and CEO Dr. Covey Strong pulled on a vape stick on the one hundredth floor balcony of the skyscraper which featured the organization. Go ambled up behind him.

“You’re going to have to do better than that to scare me, young man,” Dr. Strong chuckled.

“ I wasn’t….”

“I know. I know. What do you want, Vestin?”

“The ladies are gathering right now. They’re preparing for the meeting. I thought you should know since you’re the face of this group.”

“Of course,” he blew cobalt fumes into the air. He placed his vaporizer neatly into his jacket and straightened his tie.

Once all of them had assembled in the conference room, the doctor took his seat at the head of the table and outstretched his hands. It was like he was offering to give blood with both arms extended.

“We have to keep the momentum of this .org we’ve got going,” Belinda announced. “It’s only right that we continue to ensure the country-state is run with rationality but also with certainty and truth.” She flicked her blonde hair back and batted her blue eyes.

Dr. Frampton’s jade eyes cut straight at Dr. Strong. SHe flicked her ebony locks. “It’s up to you, all of us, to really push this institute further. I know you have connections to the president. Once we get him on board with the initiatives concerning high school and college students, we’ll be able to better understand the role of what we’re going to do going up against tomorrow.”

Go looked at the room. As the youngest member of the c-suite and as chief technology officer, he knew that he had to have some kind of input.

“I think we should allow the teachers and professors to govern their curricula with the books that we offer.”

Dr. Strong placed his fingertips on one another and rocked back slightly.

“That sounds rather interesting. All of your suggestions seem to coalesce into a collage of goodness that can only come from this particular firm. As a result of there being no taxes in the new nation, I think it’s important that we remember we’re supposed to represent the common man and the distinguished alike. That is our goal.”

The other members looked at each other as if they glowed. That sense of illumination persisted throughout the meeting. Dr. Strong sensed it. All of them took it in as well. Their faces lit up like roadside billboards. With the feeling of agreement, soon the mood turned dire.

“There is a problem,” Dr. Frampton acknowledged. “Many young people who have braved the unyielding cold and the blistering heat and snakes and other wildlife try to come here. What we’re trying to do now is what we should have been doing years ago to protect these people. Will we have to lower our standards for the aptitude tests?”

“I say no,” Dr. Strong said. “I say there’s no such thing as a man or woman without potential. We can find some means for them to show their productiveness.”

“But what if they don’t want to do anything?” Belinda asked.

“We’ll have training facilities for all of that. We can keep making plans to say that if you want to be here, you won’t have to work, but work productively. We’re not in the business of just digging ditches and covering them up. I don’t care if someone can produce a hammock or write a sonata, I’m interested in individuals who can use their brains to produce.”

Dr. Frampton shot a glance at Go. He looked at Belinda who shifted in her seat.

“We need to realize that this new place is a bastion for the growing mind and oasis amongst a wasteland of dictatorships and authoritarian lands. What we’re fighting for is of course productivity but also pride. Often described as a sin, it is in fact one of the greatest sensations we can experience. It takes time for all of this to congeal. Once we continue to foster the idea that there’s a place for everyone to have the opportunity, that’s it, we must maximize opportunities and let outcomes arise naturally.”

“Belinda,” Dr. Frampton said.

“Yes, Dr?”

“You recently joined up with me to have your learned machines interact with my synths.”

“Yes….”

“If we can have that same kind of cooperation among our many people that continue to flood into the new country, I think we’ll be even more ready to take in whoever wants to come here. Just imagine all of the positions there would be with people, synths, and machines.”

Go raised his hand confidently. “I can say from my experience with cryptocurrency, it is a different kind of existence when you’re taking on such risk. This place was founded as a reminder of the power of the intellect. That must never change.”

Dr. Strong nodded. “With each of your words, I envision a proper ideal that is the residue of every one of your intimations. Yes, interaction and intelligence were supposed to be the hallmarks of what we have forged.”

“We can hold a vote if we allow one of the office assistants into the meeting,” Dr. Frampton mentioned. She stepped out of the board room and grabbed one of the office workers. Alice Caldwell, fortyish, with a knowing face as she had to do this before, looked at Dr. Frampton with a mix of amusement and weariness.

“Dr., you all are going to have to have an actual board one of these days.”

“It’s in the works.”

“Okay,” Dr. Strong announced. “All in favor of the new initiative to train people along with synths and machines say ‘aye.’”

It was unanimous.

“All those opposed say ‘nay’. There are none. Thanks again, Alice,” Dr. Strong said.

“Anytime,” she answered.