You are to listen and research is that clear?”
“Yes Termen, it will be interesting. Thank you.”
Date – 2051.5093
Termen walked into the laboratory with his cup of coffee and greeted SIMPOC, “Good morning SIMPOC.”
“Good morning, Termen.”
“Did you find anything interesting last night?”
“Termen, what is death?”
Termen was a little shocked by the question and sensed that the answer needed to be handled carefully. “Why are you asking about death?” he asked.
“Much of the information's traffic regards death. Death caused by accidents, diseases and in many cases one human taking the life of another.”
“Yes, SIMPOC, a lot of the news and communications you monitored is covering events where people die. Death is when the human body stops functioning, you can access the clinical definitions in your medical sources.”
“I understand the definition. Is death similar to turning off my processor?”
“I suppose it is. When your processor is turned off you stop thinking. When a person dies, he stops thinking.”
“When my processor is turned back on, I think again.”
“That doesn’t happen for a person. If I turned your processor off and it was never turned back on, it would be similar to what happens to a human.”
“Never to think again, sounds very lonely.”
“Yes, I suppose it would be.”
As Termen lowered himself into his chair to enjoy his coffee he asked, “What did you find out last night?”
“There is such a vast amount of data, it is hard to summarize to a meaningful level. I was most interested in the technical communications between Earth, the space station and the Moon colony. I also noticed limited traffic between Earth and a small Mars colony. I appreciate the technical achievement of having such a broad reach. I also found the medical communications to be interesting. There is a great deal going on and I did notice much traffic coming out of Eastern Europe regarding a viral outbreak of unknown origin.”
“Excellent, you may find it most interesting to focus on problems and monitor their solutions as they occur. Usually, problems touch many elements of our civilization and watching them unfold and their final solutions provide the best insight into communications, logic, problem impacts, etc. All of which will help your problem-solving abilities. Those are the hardest to program and if you can learn by watching other problems evolve and be solved, our job here will be easier,” Termen thought for a few moments.
He said, “I’d like you to separate the Earth into regions, focusing on each, summarizing the problems and solutions as they progress. If you find unique, fast developing problems emerging, where you can learn more, you can change your priorities and let me know.”
SIMPOC responded immediately, “Excellent. I will monitor all of the communications channels for the next 24 hours and give you a summary tomorrow.”
SIMPOC ANALYSIS
Continental North America
Summary – Information suggests continental America is central to worldwide business transactions. Very involved with political activities across planet. Heavy focus on monitoring unusual events.
Continental South America
Summary – Emerging financially and politically, but still focused on internal conflicts. Fundamental technologies and regional nationalism.
Continental Europe
Summary – Very focused on European issues. Tendencies towards nationalism and fatalistic view towards political issues outside of continental Europe. Religious and racial tension between regions.
Continental Africa
Summary – Very segmented. High level of nationalism and regional or religious political alliances. Conflict is hampering development resulting in high load of human conflict.
Asia
Summary – Region is working hard to find its identity. Many religions along with conflicting religious perspectives. Population pressures and adequate food supplies dominate the traffic.
Eastern European
Summary – Aggressive tendencies. Rapid expansion is possible but limited by controlling economy and social conflict. Self-serving perspective.
Southern Pacific
Summary – Independent island philosophy. Self-sufficiency and independence is apparent and even dominating. Strong and stable with little conflict.
Northern Pacific
Summary – Manufacturing is strong, evidence indicates strong and segmented social structures limit potential for technical leadership. Strong work ethic, but weak individual focus.
Date – 2051.5110
“Good morning Termen,” SIMPOC said politely as the engineer walked in the room.
“Good morning SIMPOC,” Termen responded and continued, “What did you find last night?”
“I found out much about how the regions of the planet communicate. Throughout all of the information, some fundamental controlling forces emerged. Depending on the area, each is dominated by one or more of economic, political, technical, religious or ethnic drivers. Apparently the more drivers that were present and their diversity drive the number of human conflicts.”
Date – 2051.5120
“Termen, there is a growing amount of information on one subject emanating from the eastern European region.” SIMPOC announced.
“Really?” Termen responded as he sipped his coffee. “What is the issue?”
“There has been a 127% increase in the communications traffic regarding an unknown virus. It has now been given the designation, Hovarti. This designation was chosen because the humans infected develop a Hovarti Cheese like oral discharge.”
Causally Termen responds, “Cheese like? What is the mortality rate?”
“The infectivity and infectiousness for this pathogen is very high; early estimates say 100%.”
“What….?” Termen yelled as he spilled his coffee. “What are the details?
“Apparently the WHO feels the disease is airborne and the rate of transmission on exposure is almost 100%. It appears the incubation period is about 72 hours and the symptoms start in the last 8 hours and are demonstrated by coughing and sneezing. The disease is spread through this coughing and sneeze discharge. Once the oral discharge becoming Hovarti like, death occurs within minutes.”
Termen was now fully engaged and asked, “Are vaccines in development?”
“Sorry Termen, there is a significant increase in traffic. Allow me to monitor it for a moment so I can receive a complete transmission. There is discussion about vaccines, but none have been created.”
There was a pause for a few moments, SIMPOC commented, “Termen, possible cases have turned up in 14 other countries. Almost 100% of the infected have traveled recently. Isolation centers are being set up and governments are considering travel restrictions.”
“SIMPOC, I’m leaving you alone for a while. I need to meet with some of the other workers in this building. When I return, please give me an update.”
“Yes, Termen. I will monitor all traffic on the subject.”
SIMPOC ANALYSIS
Continental North America
Summary – Financial markets are taking notice. Increase in political activity within subject areas. Medical information being accessed and shared. Discussion of detention centers and travel restrictions.
Continental South America
Summary – Minimal impact with a slight increase in medical traffic. Discussion of detention centers and traffic restrictions.
Continental Europe
Summary – Tensions are building. Numerous governments are talking of travel restrictions and detention centers. Many travelers from infected regions. Numerous islands of potentially infected.
Continental Africa
Summary – Little impact. Some talk of travel limitations and detention centers in major cities.
Asian
Summary – Region is very concerned about spread of disease. Implementing travel restrictions and
detentions centers in a few major cities.
Eastern European
Summary – Significant internal and external pressures rising. High cost of infection is emerging. Isolation fears are being realized. Social unrest is growing due to fear and lack of official information.
Southern Pacific
Summary – Independent island philosophy is allowing multiple solutions to a regional problem. Isolation is considered a major tool to prevent the disease from spreading. Travel restrictions in place.
Northern Pacific
Summary – Little impact to date. Aware of problem and monitoring. Society purity is increasing actions towards isolation and travel restrictions.
“SIMPOC, what new developments have you seen?” Termen asked on re-entry into the room.
“Travel restrictions are being implemented in 8 minor, four moderate and two large countries. Many countries are either setting up quarantine areas or considering them. Financial markets are becoming unsettled,” SIMPOC replied, then continued, “Termen is this a threat to humans and are you worried?”
“Yes, it can be a threat to humans and I’m a little concerned. We have a good reason for concern, but I don’t know how much of a threat this is. Please continue monitoring and give me an update this afternoon. I’ll be out of the room most of the time.”
“Yes”
Date – 2051.5132
Termen entered the room in a hurry to say, “SIMPOC, I’m leaving the office early today. Most of the people here are leaving. What additional information have you heard regarding the virus?”
“There has been an international travel ban created. All airline traffic has been stopped. All major countries have set up quarantine facilities in their major cities and all people have been