Quills: the Rise of the Northern Matriarch-Chapter 113: Tools (2)

"We have already accounted for this in it being impossible to erase existing knowledge. But the ethical problem still exists of implanting false knowledge. What kind of other safeties do you think we will need in order to make this feasible?" Talan asked, looking over the group that was reacting passionately about the tool. It was a great technological advancement that came out of a medical issue.

"There is a whole litany of other questions that came before that one. Who approves what knowledge everyone has access to? How do we prevent bias from that knowledge or misinformation? Some of these could be unresolvable ethical puzzles because our very autonomy, privacy, agency, accountability and identities hinge on our knowledge." Nora answered.

"It would simplify and improve the lives of billions. However, it could be harmful if it was used maliciously. The Matriarch tools that they just fought to disable were initially created to protect women from violence. What would become of instant learning?" Liem asked. The room fell silent for a moment.

"In the 'North' there is a tale about a goddess called Pandora. She had a jar that contained all the good and evil in the world, and she chose to open it after, regardless of her family's and spouses' warning. Can we bear the guilt if something meant to benefit everyone is used maliciously? The origin of the first Matriarch tool was a simple defensive tool that changed as society changed after the epidemic and Morrits Syndrome changed the direction of our society. What societal decay and harm could come from this?" Nora passionately ranted.

"It would require a lot of insight, limitations, codes of ethics, laws made before it could be brought to everyone. This might be something that we should revisit after further social change with expert input. We can only trust those in our small circle for now," Kadir said thoughtfully. He could see the excitement in the room, but they still had to account for the current cultural environment. They still had a long way to go before being given such a powerful gift.

"We still have a class system and systemic issues to solve. If we could only put the right ideas in people's heads right now to make this possible. But that, too, would not be ethical," Liem said.

"Forcing our ideals on society would not change anything for the better and would be unethical as well. Change like this should come to a consensus. Change is gradual." Cerez added adamantly. Kai silently sat, bewildered by the technical aspect of it. To begin with, he had nothing to add. It was a fantastic idea that could revolutionize the world. But the world was not yet ready for the implications. "I agree that we should wait until there are massive changes to society to discuss this again. However, we should not stop developing this product in our clan, it needs to be ethically done if we are going to use it. All work should probably be done in house and not offsite. Encrypted. Have you told anyone else outside our offices of this breakthrough?" Cerez asked Talan nervously. His new ties to the Noro family, who were heavily involved in government and administration, made them nervous.

"No one outside the developers currently working on it with me currently and in the past. I understand how dangerous this learning tool can be. That is why it and others have been hidden by like-minded developers. These men were like my fathers, we can trust them." Talan said as he looked at the group.

"We all had the same arguments when we discovered what we could do with this tool for society, but what about using it in house to share our knowledge and skills? Not our memories, of course?" Talan asked. The group of adults looked stunned. Keeping the use of the tool within the clan would prevent its abuse, but for how long? Talan's motives were not as pure, he wanted to back up Nora. She would hate him if she knew. He knew if she died before he did that he would not be able to move past it. It was his most intrusive thought. The temptation to save a copy of her experiences that made her the woman he loved plagued him. They could clone her and bring her back. Maturate her body. She would never know. He kept his emotions in check, so that they would not appear on his face.

"Like teaching Kadir to cook finally?" Nora joked to break tension.

"Yes, and to teach everyone else our respective skill sets. That way, not one of us is bound to a certain industry, and when the time comes to appoint the children, we can ensure they have the knowledge and foresight necessary to run the industries that we are setting up for them. I want the children to be able to focus on their childhoods rather than the extensive programs that we had to go through as children." Talan proposed. Nora thought about her children, and then herself.

"Learning by ourselves and interpreting what we know shapes us as human beings. It gives passion and a purpose. I can see the good intentions in this. I agree that it is something we can explore among any interested adults." Nora said as she started to feel a little peckish. "Has it been tested yet?" Nora asked, wondering if they had already crossed the line yet. Talan seemed very confident about it. Too passionate. Nora prepared herself for the answer. Talan awkwardly looked at the group feeling relieved that she had asked. Everyone's eyes felt upon him in the room. Talan paced.

"Yes. It has been tested. On me. That is how I learned to build our software from. I have forty years of programming knowledge from my mentor and the combined knowledge of programming and operating system architecture." Talan answered truthfully.

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"Do you remember any of your mentor's memories?" Nora asked. Talan waved his hand to gesture that no.

"No, I do not have any of his memories, other than from the day I learned it all." Talan answered. Nora chewed on her lip. It would be more practical.

"If you trust it enough, I can see that I really will not be a guinea pig. I am willing to try this." Nora said, surprising three out of five of them.

"I would still like to discuss this," Kai said. What if something went wrong?

"That is perfectly fine, but that will have to wait. I am seeing Janel for an extraction today." Nora said as she stood up.

"Wait. Are you doing it finally?." Kai asked as he stood up along with her, grabbing her tiny hands excitedly. Nora blushed.

"I honestly cannot hold out anymore. I miss us, together." Nora said. It had not been easy for them to decline her advances. The tone of her answer, the longing, was hard to bear. Nora was sexually frustrated and tension was forming in their relationship. This would be the olive branch she would extend. She knew that fertilized eggs could be implanted back inside of her, pregnancy by pregnancy. Should she wish? It was just a temporary farewell. It was time to focus on the children she had now. She needed to focus on Kelly at the moment. Something was very different about her.